1) Josh Wilson and DeJuan Groce
The Seahawks are solid with Marcus Trufant and Kelly Jennings as the starters. Josh Wilson (26) didn’t have the best game against the Chargers, and much of the same happens in practice at times. He is still a guy that was taken toward the end of the second round, and is maturing into a nickel corner. That could be problematic if he isn’t ready by the start of the season and Jordan Babineaux is still out. Neither of those seem likely, but if both occur, then DeJuan Groce (35) has a chance to make the squad as the 5th CB, and that would almost certainly come at the expense of a DT. He will likely see his first action with the Seahawks tomorrow.
2) The Offensive Line
The absence of Walter Jones and Sean Locklear forces the hand of the coaching staff to make decisions on where players fit in. Check out the Injury Impact: Green Bay for details on what we might see. As noted previously, Floyd Womack (77) could play. It seems a little coincidental that he was back on the field as soon as it appeared the guys trying to take his spot were going to get a lot of playing time. Those guys are C Pat Ross (60), LT Jonathan Alston (73), and RT Kyle Williams (79).
Steve Vallos (69) could also benefit because the injuries are forcing Ray Willis (74) out of the RG spot he has been manning, but it wouldn’t be too surprising to see Floyd Womack at RG either. Or they could keep Rob Sims (67) at LG with the second unit, which has normally been Mansfield Wrotto (66), and move Wrotto over to RG. We'll just have to wait and see. Austin King (64) and Jason Murphy (63) aren’t worth paying attention to, but they might even get in to finish the game at C and LG.
3) Defensive Tackles
Marcus Tubbs was back at practice this week, but he isn’t ready to play, and isn’t traveling with the team. Craig Terrill (93) is also back, and looking to prove he has a spot on this roster. Terrill was working with the first team on his first day back (partially due to Rocky Bernard resting a sore knee).
That should make the rotation interesting for Brandon Mebane (92) who has been running with the third team, behind Marcus Green (98). I may have been a little harsh on Marcus Green and his chances of making the team. He is a good player, and is good enough to make the team. He is also the 7th DT on the depth chart, and the team might not even keep 6. His best shot is to convince the team they can go with only 5 DTs on the active roster and keep him on the practice squad.
If Bernard doesn’t play very much, then Mebane could move ahead of Marcus Green and work with the second team. Otherwise, he is likely still stuck behind Bernard (99), Chuck Darby (901, Russell Davis (95), and Craig Terrill (93).
4) Baraka Atkins vs. Brandon Green
Baraka Atkins (96) showed signs of life against the Chargers, but Brandon Green (70) is a legitimate threat to his roster spot. Atkins has been generally unimpressive, while Brandon Green has been playing well. But that will have to continue throughout the rest of the preseason and camp to cost the fourth-rounder a roster spot. It isn’t likely, but at some point Atkins needs to show he is a better choice. If not now, then at least that he will be in the future. Brandon Green also has a chance to convince the team that keeping 5 DEs is a better idea than 6 DTs. Baraka Atkins, Craig Terrill, and Brandon Green are likely fighting for the final 1 or 2 spots on the defensive line (with the likelihood of winning a spot in that order).
5) David Greene
Many people were surprised that David Greene didn’t play against the Chargers. Immediately after the game, I said, “I wouldn't be surprised if Holmgren decided it was a better idea to leave David Greene out tonight, and instead of giving him a few series at the end of a few games, he is going to give him an entire half or more in one of the next two games. That gives both Greene and Wallace the opportunity to get in rhythm or play through some kinks. Holmgren will probably say something along those lines if asked.” And it looks like that was spot on.
David Greene played well in the scrimmage and in the preseason last year, so it shouldn’t surprise anyone if he plays well tomorrow. It also wouldn’t be surprising if he initially struggled, as Seneca Wallace did, but settled down and played well once he got into rhythm. It would be hard for him to look worse than Wallace did in the first half (which he played almost entirely). David will have an opportunity in Greene Bay to silence his doubters (more below).
6) Joe Newton
This is another chance for Joe Newton (46) to show he has what it takes to win a roster spot. The door is wide open for him to make his move, but he still has to walk through it. He made a few nice catches in practice this week, but he really struggles at full speed. He ran the 40 about as fast as C Pat Ross (4.89 vs. 4.96). Newton should get a ton of playing time with Will Heller and Leonard Stephens not making the trip, but it is up to him to do something with it. It wouldn't be surprising to see him get outplayed by Bennie Joppru (47). It also wouldn't be surprising to see Joppru get re-injured.
7) Wide Receivers and the practice squad battle
Nate Burleson (81) and D.J. Hackett (18) have a chance to show the fans what they want to see. Those two continue to look good in practice. Otherwise, we are basically looking at a practice squad battle. Ben Obomanu (87) has made the team. I suppose Courtney Taylor or Logan Payne has a remote chance of making the roster, but that is not likely. Things might be different if Taylor was healthy, but he isn’t.
Logan Payne (19) is probably competing with Joe Fernandez (17), Chris Jones (16), and Jordan Kent (82) for a spot on the practice squad. And you can throw the injured Courtney Taylor into the mix as well, but we obviously won’t see on Saturday. Jordan Kent is probably last in that bunch right now, and really needs to breakout if he wants even a chance at a spot on the practice squad. People that think he is going to make the active roster or get signed by another team are seemingly abandoning all logic, and ignoring everything but his height and 40 time.
Why is everyone so worried that the 210th pick of the draft is going to be signed off the Seahawks practice squad to the active roster of another team? Especially when that means he wasn't in camp at all with that team, and he hasn't looked especially good at Seahawks camp or in the preaseason. His measurables might land him on the practice squad of another team if he isn’t good enough to make the Seahawks taxi squad.
8) Leonard Weaver
Leonard Weaver (43) gets another chance to show us his versatility. Let's try this again, "Expect to see him contribute on short-yardage, in the passing game, and do some nice things in single-back sets, as well as being the heir apparent to Mack Strong at fullback." He should be able to show us some of that with mostly the regulars on offense, as long as Seneca Wallace doesn’t turn the ball over twice again, or throw him some more uncatchable balls.
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