Three Seahawks who must perform well in final preseason game
By Lee Vowell
Alex Collins
With Rashaad Penny’s injury history and no other Seahawks running back after Chris Carson that has proven to be a good long-term back, I thought Alex Collins might be the clear number three in Seattle. But this preseason, albeit trying to run behind backup offensive linemen, Collins has just been meh.
He did have a nice catch and run for a first down against the Broncos but has generated much else. The problem for Collins is that DeeJay Dallas, while maybe not the pure running back Collins is, has had a great preseason and has shown crazy versatility by returning kicks and being able to catch the ball out of the backfield. At this point, Dallas seems a lock to make the team.
Nick Bellore is also going to make the team as a fullback (though he looked pretty good at linebacker versus the Broncos in clean-up time) and he is a Pro Bowl special teamer.
Travis Homer is likely Collins’ biggest challenge to stay on the team. Assuming Seattle keeps Carson (clearly), Penny and Dallas as the tailbacks and Bellore as the fullback, this may only leave one other running back spot. Homer is an excellent blocker and helps keep Russell Wilson clean when Homer comes in on third downs and that is more important than people realize.
Homer likely will play versus the Chargers and has missed the first two preseason games. But if he looks solid on Saturday he could push Collins out of a job.