Raiders vs. Seahawks redux

This game was kind of a mess with a hodge-podge of backups on the field all game, and a few unsettling injuries. It looks like Marcus Tubbs and Pat Ross suffered the only serious injuries. Josh Wilson and Chris Spencer should be fine for the opener.

AP Photo/John Froschauer

In addition to the items below, the outstanding play of C.J. Wallace obviously stood out. It is hard to know if he did enough to bump Michael Boulware from the roster, especially with Boulware sitting out with a strained hamstring. Probably not, but maybe. Wallace made a lot of great plays. He was also responsible for the back-to-back receptions that led to Oakland's only offensive touchdown. Regardless, it is going to be hard to cut C.J. Wallace. He definitely has a spot on at least the practice squad, and he will make the team if they can figure out a way to work the numbers.

(This is a follow-up to What to Watch For: Raiders vs. Seahawks)
1) Seneca Wallace

AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey

Seneca Wallace played almost the entire game, and he struggled again. For those keeping score, Wallace has played a little under six full halves of football this preseason and has six turnovers. Not good. It capped a mediocre preseason for Wallace: 40 of 73 (54.8%) for 543 yards with 3 touchdowns and 3 interceptions (75.3 rating), and 3 lost fumbles. He has also been sacked 5 times. Some of Wallace's struggles can be explained away by throwing to young receivers and playing behind some suspect play on the offensive line. However, it is those young receivers he has looked best throwing to in the second half of the San Diego and Minnesota games.

2) Linebackers
Niko Koutouvides assured everyone that his place on the Seahawks roster is completely secure. Cameron Jensen also had a nice showing, and that makes him a lock for the practice squad. The strong showing for Jensen could be bad news for Will Herring. It could allow the Seahawks to put Will Herring and Cameron Jensen on the practice squad, and only keep 6 linebackers on the active roster, and not worry too much if another team picks up Herring. Herring's contributions on special teams can't be ignored, which probably still earn him a roster spot.

3) Craig Terrill and Russell Davis
Craig Terrill made a nice stop on 4th-and-1 early in the game. Russell Davis pressured the quarterback a few times and played a big role in stuffing the run. He has had an excellent preseason. Both players should make the team, even if Marcus Tubbs isn't placed on IR. The assumption is that Tubbs will miss the season, but if he doesn't and is going to miss a month or so, then the Seahawks will carry 6 DTs for the foreseeable future.

4) Josh Wilson and the 5th CB
Josh Wilson didn't have a great night. He was flattened by two stiff-arms trying to make open-field tackles. His coverage was only mediocre. It looks like he will have to improve to get much playing time. Jordan Babineaux is expected to be ready for the season and play in the nickel. Wilson also injured his hip, but should be available for the season opener. Pete Hunter looks like the 5th best CB. He made some nice plays. Unfortunately, there isn't room for 5 CBs on the roster and he isn't eligible for the practice squad. He will be the first person the Seahawks call if they need an extra CB at some point during the season, assuming he doesn’t sign with another team.
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5) Tight Ends
Ben Joppru didn't play, but I assume that means he has the #3 spot locked up, and they were just resting his hip. Leonard Stephens may have played himself right off the practice squad with 3 penalties. Joe Newton made some nice blocks and a nice catch. It was probably enough to earn him a spot on the practice squad ahead of Stephens.

6) Wide Receiver Battles
Nate Burleson will likely have his name announced with the starting lineup on September 9th. D.J. Hackett will still get on the field, and whoever is making more plays will get more playing time. That is how it will be all season, but you can’t ignore how great Burleson has looked.

Courtney Taylor showed a little of why I have been so high on him despite his injury. It would be hard to give him a roster spot, but Mike Holmgren would probably prefer to keep six receivers. The minor injury to Ben Obomanu and the assumed roster spot opened up by the injury to Marcus Tubbs might make that a possibility.

Joe Fernandez had a great game. He may have moved ahead of Logan Payne on the depth chart. He did only have one catch though, and was returning kicks because Obomanu was injured. It still comes down to Payne, Fernandez, and Jordan Kent for the final spot. Payne has been the most consistent throughout camp. Fernandez showed a lot of heart last night, and that he could contribute as a return man. Kent is tall and fast, but can't catch, and makes too many mistakes. There might not be a space for any of them, even on the practice squad. The injury to Pat Ross might have cleared a spot.

7) Fullbacks

AP Photo/Kevin P. Casey

Leonard Weaver locked up his spot as the backup fullback and #3 primary ball carrier. It is unclear what that means for Marquis Weeks, Josh Parry, and David Kirtman. Josh Parry and David Kirtman rarely lines up on offense, but their primary role with the team is going to be on special teams. They both play well there. Parry can also play fullback just fine and the team knows that. He probably gets the nod over Kirtman, especially because they can stash Kirtman on the practice squad again. Weeks has been a solid runner again this preseason, but he doesn't do much on special teams. You can't give a roster spot to a guy if he is only going to be the fourth option as a primary ball carrier.

8) Derek Devine and David Greene
I had a feeling the Seahawks weren't seriously considering Derek Devine as the #3 QB, and that should now be obvious to everyone. It doesn't look like they are even considering a scenario where they keep Devine on the practice squad and only go with two on the active roster. For better or worse, David Greene is the third string QB until the Seahawks can acquire someone better.

They have tried with Kelly Holcomb and Mark Brunell. It seems likely that Greene will make the final cut, but then get released in favor of someone cut from another team if no trade happens today. It would risky to cut Greene before they were assured of getting someone else. They could dangle Greene on waivers, assuming nobody else wants him, and then scoop him back up if nothing better opens up. That might be too risky.