Seattle Seahawks tweak roster to help prep for the NFL Draft
By Keith Myers
The Seattle Seahawks made a pair of roster moves today. Both moves were designed to help them prepare for the NFL draft that is now just 10 days away.
The first move was the re-signing of backup center/guard Lemuel Jean-Pierre. He has been with the team for parts of the last three seasons. LJP is a valuable asset because of his ability to play all three interior line positions. He may not be starter quality, but that versatility makes him an important backup.
Seahawks have re-signed center Lemuel Jeanpierre.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) April 20, 2015
For the Seahawks, Jean-Pierre represents a fall-back option in case they are unable to get the players they want in the draft. If Seattle is unable to get a starting center or left guard, they their current backups at those positions (Patrick Lewis and Alvin Bailey) will go into the season as the starters.
In that scenario, the Seahawks will need additional depth at those positions. That is where LJP comes in. If the Seahawks are after to draft the starters that they need, then Jean-Pierre will be there to push Lewis and Bailey for the backup jobs.
The other roster move was the release of long snapper Luke Ingram. Ingram was signed early in the offseason, but was made expendable when incumbent Clint Gresham resigned with the Seahawks a couple of weeks ago.
Little housekeeping: #Seahawks waive LS Luke Ingram, per league transaction report.
— Stephen Cohen (@scohenATH) April 20, 2015
The only real surprise here is that it took this long. Ingram was simply filling a roster spot that could be used elsewhere. And that is exactly why this roster move was made. Cutting Ingram frees up a roster spot that the Seahawks can use immediately after the draft to sign another underrated free agent.
The Seahawks likely aren’t done either. They still need a backup quarterback, so Tarvaris Jackson will likely be re-signed at some point before the draft begins next week.
Next: Guess Seattle's 2015 schedule and win a $100 gift card!
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