Bold predictions for Seahawks preseason game one surprise players

Full contact against an actual opponent will show what the Seahawks really have. Here are a few surprising performances we’ll see Sunday night.

It seems like we’ve been waiting forever for some game action. The Seahawks themselves have to be amped sky-high. Enough of the red jerseys. Enough of the limited contact. You know Frank Clark has just been dying for this game! No one could be more excited for this game than the newest Seahawks. This is their first chance to really shine, to prove they truly belong. I’ve got an idea about a few that will truly stand out in their first game action for Seattle.

Before I move on to individuals, I’d like to focus briefly on the one unit that really needs to prove themselves. That is the offensive line. Luckily, Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers should be a great test. While predictions for the success of the Chargers are all over the map, almost everyone expects the defensive line to be a real strength. USA Today’s Nate Davis has them ranked number one in the league, in fact. We’ll see just how much George Fant and the rest of the line has improved. Keeping Melvin Ingram and Joey Bosa out of the Seattle backfield is just the test Tom Cable wants for his guys.

As for that line, I expect Fant will perform like a solid NFL left tackle. A Pro Bowler, no. But after tomorrow, people will only mention he’s a converted basketball player in amazement, not as an excuse. The Pro Bowler will be Justin Britt. As of tomorrow, the offensive line is back.

About those new players

Now, on to the new kids. One young man has been getting more and more hype over the past few weeks. I’m happy to say I’ve seen him as a star in the making since rookie camp. That’s so long ago, we all called him Shaq. Get ready, 12s. The Quill Experience begins tomorrow night.

It isn’t much of a stretch to say Shaquill Griffin will be a breakout player. To remedy that, let me give you a real stretch. Chris Carson earns a roster spot tomorrow night. Our own Aaron Thomas has been in Carson’s corner since day one. Everything the rookie from Oklahoma State has done in camp has moved him further from the practice squad. The first three running backs are practically locks. I see Carson jumping past Alex Collins to take the fourth slot.

My final pick for surprising performer of the game is probably the least likely of all. Rookie wide receivers rarely play well. Rookie wide receivers with zero college football experience? Well, they barely exist at all. But something tells me Cyril Grayson is different. He has speed, as in crazy speed. Better yet, he’s shown that he can actually run routes and catch. Now when I say he’ll surprise, I’m not suggesting he’ll lock up a roster spot. He has a lot to work on, and a lot of competition. But he will look like a football player, not a track guy. And he’ll move a few quick steps closer to making that 53 man roster.