These three Seahawks need to put on a show vs the Chargers
With just three weeks left before the games count, several Seahawks need to claim their roster spots. These three can take some big steps tonight.
Several of the best Seahawks have been slowed by injuries this preseason. Despite this, their place on the 53 man roster, or even as a starter, are in no jeopardy. Doug Baldwin isn’t worried about getting cut. Neither is Byron Maxwell, although he may find himself getting pushed for his starting role at right cornerback by Tre Flowers. And rookie running back Rashaad Penny is in no danger of seeing the Turk either. Although any chance of him unseating Chris Carson as the number one back disappeared with his broken finger on Tuesday. Penny will be ready when it’s game time in Denver, though, so he has no worries.
These next three players, they have worries. Considering they’re professional athletes, they may have zero worries. Confidence, ya know. Or at the least, they should have concerns. When you’re somewhere between third string and waterboy on the unofficial depth chart, it’s time to start showing what you can do.
In the case of C.J. Prosise, it isn’t a matter of showing what you can do, as much as that you can do it with any consistency. We’ve already written that Prosise doesn’t have much margin for error. It’s a shame, as he’s extremely talented. The best thing Prosise can do tonight is get about 25 snaps – snaps, not carries – perform at least adequately, and come out injury free. If he lights up the Chargers, even better.
Seattle Seahawks
For Dontae Johnson, it isn’t so much about proving he can get on the field, but proving he can play corner with the Seahawks technique. Johnson played for three years in San Francisco, and only missed one game. He also made just six starts in those 41 contests. Last year, he was graded as the 114th best cornerback by Pro Football Focus. To put it another way, only four corners were graded below him, so he has a lot to prove in the next three weeks.
Not only are Maxwell and almost certainly Flowers ahead of him, but Neiko Thorpe is a special teams beast. Add in that Akeem King looked a lot better than a perennial practice squad player last week against the Colts, and Johnson has to get his work done, starting tonight.
The last man in show me mode is Brandon Marshall. I’m a big fan of his potential for the Seahawks, but it’s time for that potential to start showing up on the field. Jaron Brown has looked really good so far for Seattle, so Marshall is basically competing for the fourth wideout spot. Based on his talent and apparent mind-melding with Russell Wilson, Marshall looks pretty safe. But he’s got to show he’s back physically, and tonight is the time to do that.
There are certainly more players on the bubble than these three, but all three could have a big impact on the Seahawks season. The drive for the postseason starts tonight for these guys. mean, you can’t make the postseason if you don’t make it to the regular season. I’m pulling for all three to show up big tonight for the Seahawks!