Dog Days of Training Camp

Now that the preseason games have begun, not much too exciting goes on during the week unless someone suffers an injury. The Seahawks are preparing for the upcoming game on Sunday against the Indianapolis Colts. That is where the battles for roster spots will heat up with guys getting a chance to show what they can do in game situations.

The most intriguing battle will be for the sixth receiver spot. It has been blown wide open and Ben Obomanu should no longer be considered the front-runner. He had a huge lead over anyone else coming into camp, but he has done nothing to maintain it. Obomanu might still be the slight favorite to get that spot, but Maurice Mann is making it hard for the coaches to cut him. Right now, Obomanu looks like an unpolished receiver that is headed to the practice squad.

Keenan Howry, C.J. Jones and Taco Wallace could also be in the mix, but it probably comes down to Mann and Obomanu. If Obomanu can get back on track and play like he did in the minicamps, he could re-emerge as the front-runner in a hurry, but Mann appears more comfortable. Mann ran with the practice squad last year and has also spent time with Peter Warrick in Cincinnati and played opposite Nate Burleson at Neveda in college. Mann is an absolute burner with a 40-time of 4.37. He has some experience returning kickoffs in college. If we see him getting some work there in the preseason, it means they are seriously considering handing him that final roster spot.

Lofa Tatupu has been sidelined with a minor groin injury, but it is nothing to worry about. CB Jimmy Williams finally returned after missing nearly two weeks with an ankle injury. It put him at a big disadvantage for a roster spot, and S Shaunard Harts looks like he would be the clear 8th defensive back if the team keeps that many.

The biggest news might be the return of three defensive linemen - DE Grant Wistrom, DT Rocky Bernard, and DE Joe Tafoya. Wistrom and Bernard need to be ready for the regular season, but they will ease the two starters back into things. Tafoya is on shakier ground because he will be pushed for the final roster spot at defensive end. If he had not been injured, he would have been the favorite for that spot, and fortunately for him, no one else has stepped up in his absence.

With the injury to DT Russell Davis, it is nice to get these guys back, but none of them figure to play against Indianapolis. It will not matter. If you saw the effort of the Colts' reserve offensive line against St. Louis, you should know that the Seahawks will be getting a lot of pressure on Jim Sorgi and Co., no matter who they have in there. The bigger concern is the play of the Seahawks' reserve offensive line with the mounting injuries and new faces.