What to Watch For: Raiders vs. Seahawks

Current versions of the easy-to-print Seahawks Numerical Roster (split into offense and defense) and the full Seahawks 35-Category Roster (now including practice squad eligibility) are available, and include the latest roster moves and current injuries.


1) Seneca Wallace

Dan DeLong/Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Seneca Wallace (15) has been getting a lot of reps this week in practice, so we should expect to see a large dose of him on Thursday night. Wallace has had an up-and-down preseason. In his two appearances in the first half he is a combined 8 of 20 (40%) for 140 yards with 1 interception, and no touchdowns. That gives him a passer rating of 44.8, which doesn’t even take into account his 3 lost fumbles. In his two second half appearances, he is a combined 20 of 27 (74%) for 222 yards with 2 touchdowns and no turnovers (123.8 passer rating). Wallace will likely play most of the first half against the Raiders, and it gives him a chance to put together a good half against the starters on a pretty solid defense.

2) Linebackers
Julian Peterson (sore knee) will not play, and it is likely Leroy Hill (hamstring) will sit out or only play sparingly. That means a lot of time for the other linebackers. There has been a lot of fuss about Mike Holmgren saying he envisions the team keeping 6 linebackers, but I still don't believe him. If that does turn out to be the case, it will be Lance Laury (50), Will Herring (54), or Niko Koutouvides (53) that gets left off the Seahawks opening day roster.

3) Craig Terrill and Russell Davis
I would believe Mike Holmgren if he said the team was only going to keep 5 DTs. That is going to be a difficult decision, and it comes down to Craig Terrill (93) and Russell Davis (95) for the final spot. The team appears fairly certain to keep only 4 DEs, so 6 DTs is a possibility. That is basically what they did last year when they kept Chris Cooper as the 10th defensive lineman. Although he is listed as a DE, he lined up at DT almost exclusively during training camp. But Cooper only stayed on the roster until September 23rd. The uncertain status of Marcus Tubbs might cause the team to go with 6 DTs for at least the first part of the year, and longer if injuries provide an open roster spot. Marcus Tubbs, Chuck Darby and Rocky Bernard will not see much action, giving these guys a chance to battle it out.

4) Josh Wilson and the 5th CB
Josh Wilson (26) could take another big step forward on Thursday night. He will start opposite Marcus Trufant (23) with Kelly Jennings (bruised leg out. Chances are, Wilson will start at some point during this season, so this is a great chance for him to show he is up to the task.

Kelly Jennings and Jordan Babineaux should be ready when the regular season begins. That would mean the team does not need to carry a 5th CB. It still isn’t a bad idea to watch how the team uses Kevin Hobbs (32), Pete Hunter (29), and DeJuan Groce (35). Hobbs has typically been the last one off the bench in that group, but he might have earned more playing time with solid play lately (in practice and against the Vikings). If the team is certain about the readiness of Jennings and Babineaux, then Hobbs could get an extended look because he figures to be competing for a spot on the practice squad.
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5) Tight Ends
Will Heller (85) will be back in action for the first time in quite awhile. Ben Joppru (47) has the #3 job locked up as long as he doesn’t get injured. Leonard Stephens (89) could’ve had something to say about that, but he is just back from his ankle injury and missed too much time. That would have been an interesting battle to watch. However, this is the first time they will both be on the field, since halfway through the intrasquad scrimmage on August 4th. Both looked good when the other was out.

Stephens should have another year of practice squad eligibility, which would give the team a solid backup plan if Joppru’s penchant for injuries returns. Joe Newton (46) has a chance to make the practice squad if Stephens is somehow ineligible, or Newton shows enough that the team thinks going with a younger player that can spend two or three years on the practice squad is a better idea. The amount of playing time (and their performance while in there) of Newton and Stephens should offer some insight into that.

6) Wide Receiver Battles
Nate Burleson (81) and D.J. Hackett (18) are still battling for the starting split end spot. It is somewhat irrelevant because they will both play a lot, and whoever is making more plays will get more playing time. Hackett shined earlier in training camp, Burleson has been great as of late. They have both been solid all camp.

The real battle is for 6th and 7th on the depth chart. The Seahawks will probably keep a total of 7 receivers between the active roster and the practice squad. Courtney Taylor (86) and Logan Payne (19) look like the two guys most likely to get those last two spots. Joe Fernandez (17) has also played well at times, but hasn't looked as sharp lately, and he is only 5'10", 165 lbs. Jordan Kent (82) is the worst receiver left on the roster, but he still has a shot at a practice squad spot. Kent makes sense as a long-term project, but more importantly, he gives the defense someone big and fast to practice against. That function might make him more appealing than Logan Payne or Joe Fernandez. It is unlikely Ben Obomanu will play, so all of these guys should get more playing time.

7) Fullbacks
Leonard Weaver (43) has struggled with a few things lately, but his spot on the team should be safe. He just might not have as expansive of a role as the team once envisioned. The more interesting battle could be between Josh Parry (49) and David Kirtman (34). Weaver has been getting so many reps that we really haven’t seen much of either of them on offense. They both play on all of the special teams units, and Kirtman has been playing well as of late. Marquis Weeks (30) could also earn a spot as the 3rd HB. That seems unlikely because he is not as good on special teams as Parry or Kirtman, he isn't a blocking dynamo, and he would be the fourth option as a ball carrier behind Leonard Weaver.

8) Derek Devine and David Greene
If the Seahawks are seriously considering Derek Devine for a spot on the roster, then he should play a full half. Devine (5) has to show that he not only has the physical tools, but that he can lead a team. It is pretty tough to do that in one quarter. David Greene (11) might start the second half. If that is the case, then we might not see Devine at all until the very end of the game for a pass or two and a couple of handoffs. It really depends on how Greene plays. I am certain the Seahawks would like to have someone more reliable than David Greene as the #3 QB. I am not certain if they think Derek Devine has any chance to be that guy, this year.