Seattle Seahawks Camp Preview: Front 7 Roster Battles
By Keith Myers
Yesterday, I got us started with the roster battle for the defensive backfield. Today it’s time to finish the defense by examining the front 7.
Here’s how I see the how the roster battles in the defensive backfield shaping up at this point:
Linebacker (7) |
Locks
KJ Wright, Bobby Wagner
On The Bubble
Barrett Ruud, Leroy Hill, Korey Toomer, Matt McCoy
Work Left To Do
Allen Bradford, Heath Farwell, Kyle Knox, Jameson Konz, Mike Morgan, Malcolm Smith
Comments:
With only 6 players listed as lock or on the bubble, there’s a spot up for grabs for one of the others to take. People will lobby for Farwell to be moved up, but he offers absolutely nothing to the defense and is a special teams only guy for the most part, so I don’t think he makes the team unless non of the other youngsters shows they can contribute to the defense.
DE (5) |
Locks
Chris Clemons, Bruce Irvin, Red Bryant,
On The Bubble
Dexter Davis, Greg Scruggs
Work Left To Do
Pierre Allen, Cordarro Law
Comments:
I really could see the top 5 on this making the squad and that being the end of it. The real wild-card here is Davis. When healthy, he’s every bit the pass rusher that Clemons and Irvin are. The problem is that he seems to never be healthy. If Davis can’t show that he can stay away from the trainers, then Law becomes the best bet to take his place.
DT (4) |
Locks
Brandon Mebane, Alan Branch, Jason Jones
On The Bubble
Jaye Howard, Pep Linginston
Work Left To Do
Clinton McDonald
Comments:
Jason Jones has the ability to play at both DT, and DE, much like Red Bryant. The versatility of these players makes handicapping the defensive line tough. Ultimately, I think this roster battle comes down to Howard vs. McDonald for the backup NT.
How do you see them looking at this early point in the process?