Seattle Seahawks Roster Battles – Offense
By Keith Myers
One of the things I’ll be tracking, probably weekly, throughout training camp and the preseason are the roster battles that the Seahawks have going. Some of these are going to be heated. Make no mistake, these are about people’s livelihood. Losing a roster battle means finding yourself unemployed. For the players involved, it about more than just making the team, it’s about their professional survival.
I’ve broken this down by position, and included the number of players likely to make the team in each position group. There’s some wiggle room in those numbers. It’s possible the Seahawks keep just 5 receivers or 9 offensive lineman, but after the injuries those 2 position groups happened last season I doubt that happens.
Within each group, I’ve listed the players into 3 categories. “Locks” is self explanatory. Players “On the bubble” could go either way, but appear to have an reasonable shot at making the 53 man roster. Those who have “work left to do” are currently on the outside looking in, and still have to move past other players just to get on the bubble.
Quarterback (3) |
Locks
Matt Flynn, Russell Wilson
On The Bubble
Tarvaris Jackson, Josh Portis
Work Left To Do
Comments:
The swing player here is Jackson. He could win the starting job, or he could end up getting his walking papers. Portis is the man left waiting, and he doesn’t control his own destiny. Portis has to hope that Jackson ends up third in the QB competition, at which point Jackson gets cut to save salary, allowing Portis to stay on the roster.
Wide Receiver (6) |
Locks
Sydney Rice, Doug Baldwin
On The Bubble
Kris Durham, Richardo Lockette, Mike Williams, Golden Tate
Work Left To Do
Ben Obomanu, Phil Bates, Charly Martin, Lavasier Tuinei, Cameron Kenny, Jermaine Kearse
Comments:
This is probably the most wide open position group on the roster. Half of the players currently on the roster at WR wont make the team, and only 2 spots are set. That leaves 10 people vying for 4 spots. Ben Obomanu had a major case of the drops in the minicamps, and now has a major uphill battle to prove that he deserves to stay.
Running Backs (4) |
Locks
Marshawn Lynch, Robert Turbin, Michael Robinson
On The Bubble
Leon Washington, Kregg Lumpkin
Work Left To Do
Tyrell Sutton, Vai Taua
Comments:
This is probably the position group with the least amount drama. It really just comes down to if Leon Washington can hold on to his job as the team’s return man. He offers little to the offense, so if another returner beats him out then he could end up cut to make room for Lumpkin, who’s a power back with good receiving skills; an ideal third down back in this system.
Tight Ends (3) |
Locks
Kellen Winslow, Zach Miller
On The Bubble
Cameron Morrah, Anthony McCoy
Work Left To Do
Sean McGrath
Comments:
McCoy has show that he’s developed since last season or this group is already set with Miller, Winslow and Morrah. Pete Carroll really wants McCoy to succeed, so he’ll be given every chance to prove he belongs, making for an interesting roster battle between him and Morrah.
Offensive Line (10) |
Locks
Russell Okung, Max Unger, Breno Giacomini, John Moffitt, Lemeul JeanPierre, Paul McQuistan, James Carpenter*
On The Bubble
Duece Lutui, JR Sweezy, Rishaw Johnson, Frank Omiyale
Work Left To Do
Paul Fanika, Edawn Coughman, Alex Barron, Allen Barbe,
Comments:
James Carpenter will likely start the season on the PUP list, so that leaves 6 locks out of 9 or 10 roster spots. The Seahawks really like youngsters Sweezy and Johnson, so don’t count them out. Deuce Lutui isn’t #1 on the LG depth chart right now, but he’s my favorite to win the job by the end of camp. Omiyale is a versatile player who the Seahawks brought in because he can back up multiple positions. Unless the Seahawks sneak Sweezy or Johnson onto the practice squad, it’ll be tough for anyone else to get squeezed onto the roster.