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Danny O'Neil covers the Seahawks for The Seattle Times.
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Veterans to keep an eye on
Posted by Danny O'Neil
Corrected version
The final exhibition game is the least significant in terms of playing time for the starters, and while it's a chance for some players on the lower tiers of the depth chart to make a final impression, the reality is that the body of work that the coaches and front office will be evaluating is largely complete.
And whenever there is a change in the front office or coaching staff, it creates the potential for more turnover on the roster. The players may not fit the prototypes of the new personnel chief or the new schemes of the coaching staff, and to part ways with a player inherited from a previous regime requires no admission of culpability for adding that player in the first place.
When Tim Ruskell took over in 2005, the Seahawks cut Koren Robinson in the offseason and let go of former starters like Antonio Cochran and Cedric Woodard during training camp. With that in mind, who are the veterans to keep an eye on in the final days before the roster is cut to 53 players:
WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh: He is the most high profile, a player who led the Seahawks in catches last season with 79 and has caught 373 passes over the previous four seasons. He is scheduled to earn $7 million for 2010, a salary that is guaranteed.
On Monday on ESPN 710 AM, his future was discussed, and Brock Huard pointed out the possibility that he might not fit, he is ideally a slot receiver and if he doesn't buy into that role, would Seattle consider moving on? Huard did not say Seattle would nor did he advocate that the Seahawks should. He pointed out it is a consideration.
Houshmandzadeh is targeted frequently, and now, he's not that productive after the catch.
It's hard for me to imagine a team decides its better off parting ways with a player who is not only one of the more productive receivers in terms of receptions, but who is as competitive as Houshmandzadeh is.
Huard makes some good points, though. Forward to the end of the hour linked above to listen to the case that Seattle has to ask itself what's best long-term.
Other players who aren't necessarily on the way out, but could be a question mark:
• FB Owen Schmitt: He's the only true fullback on the team, but Quinton Ganther can play that role, too, and Seattle is going to use a two-TE formation quite frequently.
• RB Julius Jones: Seattle hasn't had anyone distinguish himself as the starter during the exhibition season, but Jones was one of Seattle's more explosive players last season. Of the seven plays the team had that gained 40 or more yards, Jones was responsible for three of them.
• S Jordan Babineaux: He is a safety with starting experience and the versatility to play both safety positions, which makes it unlikely he would be cut. The question is with the development of Jamar Adams and the selection of Kam Chancellor in the draft, does Seattle look to get younger.
And finally, you can count Mike Salke of 710 ESPN Seattle among those puzzled by the trade of Josh Wilson:
Wilson must not have fit
By Mike Salk, MyNorthwest.com
"As Wilson battled Kelly Jennings for the second corner spot, I would have thought the player with the better ball skills and play making potential would have been the winner."He wasn't."
-- Mike Salk, 710 ESPN Seattle
Information in this post, originally published Sept. 1, 2010, was corrected Sept. 2, 2010. When Mike Salk of 710 ESPN Seattle was Googling his own name when he discovered it was misspelled here. Which is admittedly terrible on my part. There are only four letters in his name. The error is corrected with apologies.
Dec 24 - 6:10 AM Looking back: Revisiting Sunday's scouting report
Dec 24 - 1:09 AM Seahawks' scoring binge
Dec 24 - 1:01 AM Video: Summing Seattle's victory
Dec 24 - 12:58 AM Video: Russell Wilson post-game comments
Dec 24 - 12:21 AM Rookie passing roll call


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