Running Backs
Julius Jones, T.J. Duckett, and Maurice Morris are all safe. Justin Forsett isn't that good, but he is good enough to make the team if someone else tears an ACL before the season starts. The more intriguing battle is at fullback. Owen Schmitt is a great player and a great person, but that doesn't mean he can unseat David Kirtman. Those two will push each other for a spot, but it is Kirtman's to lose. I'd bet on Schmitt to get the spot, but he will need to show he can contribute on special teams the way Kirtman has.
Key Battle: Schmitt vs. Kirtman, In the Lead: Kirtman, Favorite: Schmitt
Wide Receivers
Ben Obomanu, Courtney Taylor, and Logan Payne are all going to make the team. That gives the Seahawks six solid receivers with Deion Branch, Nate Burleson, and Bobby Engram. The battle to watch is Jordan Kent vs. himself. I am going to assume Deion Branch's injury will require a 7th receiver. If Kent doesn't show the necessary growth, then he won't make the team regardless of Branch's health. In that case, Seneca Wallace becomes the 6th receiver until Branch returns.
Key Battle: Kent vs. Nobody, In the Lead: Nobody Favorite: Nobody
Offensive Line
Walter Jones, Sean Locklear, Chris Spencer, Rob Sims, Mark Wahle, Chris Gray, Ray Willis, Mansfield Wrotto all have spots locked up, but injuries could play a big role. Wahle, Gray, and Willis are all players to watch on that front. Floyd Womack is in a familiar position: stay healthy and make the team, get injured and you're done. He is a good player and can serve as a backup at tackle and guard. Kyle Williams is the one hurt most by the re-signing of Womack, and I don't think he can beat him out if Pork chop stays healthy. If a tackle gets seriously injured, then Williams makes the team. If an interior player goes down, then Steve Vallos gets a spot.
Key Battle: Womack vs. Williams vs. Vallos In the Lead: Womack, Favorite: Womack
Defensive Line
As with the offensive line, 8 players have spots sewn up: Patrick Kerney, Darryl Tapp, Lawrence Jackson, Baraka Atkins, Rocky Bernard, Brandon Mebane, Red Bryant, Craig Terrill. The final spot could go in a number of directions. DT Larry Tripplett is probably the most talented player. DT Howard Green is also very capable player. DE/DT Chris Cooper gives the team some versatility and is a high effort, high character guy (remember, he made the team as the 10th defensive lineman in 2006 because of a superb camp where he lined up almost exclusively at DT). And DE/LB Jason Babin has the ability to give them another option by filling multiple roles.
Key Battle: Tripplett vs. Green vs. Cooper vs. Babin, In the Lead: Green, Favorite: Tripplett
Linebackers
The top 6 are solid with Lofa Tatupu , Julian Peterson, Leroy Hill, D.D. Lewis, Lance Laury, and Will Herring. One spot is up for grabs, and recent addition Wesly Mallard was signed to be that guy. He is a Ruston Webster player. D.D. Lewis will fill the roles of both Niko Koutouvides and Kevin Bentley as the first guy off the bench at MLB and OLB, respectively. That means the remaining guys need to step it up on special teams and be prepared to play on the outside. Mallard fits the bill, but Jason Babin could potentially figure in. The decision has basically been made to go with Mallard. If he doesn't work out, then it really means the Seahawks need to sign a free agent.
Key Battle: Mallard vs. Free Agent vs. Babin, In the Lead: Mallard Favorite: Mallard
Kickers
It's Olindo Mare vs. Brandon Coutu. This battle will really be a toss up. Mare has the advantage as the veteran, but his career might be over. Both guys have big legs with some accuracy problems. Coutu is consistent inside 40 yards, really good on kickoffs, and has the leg to give himself a chance on any long field goal. If he can show even decent accuracy on kicks over 40, then he will easily take Mare's spot.
Key Battle: Mare vs. Coutu, In the Lead: Mare Favorite: Coutu
QBs, TEs, and DBs
These guys are all safe if they are healthy: Matt Hasselbeck, Seneca Wallace, and Charlie Frye; John Carlson, Jeb Putzier, and Will Heller; Deon Grant, Brian Russell, Mike Green, C.J. Wallace, Marcus Trufant, Kelly Jennings, Josh Wilson, and Jordan Babineaux. Nobody else will really challenge for a spot. Kevin Hobbs makes the team if any of the other guys can't go (Green and Wallace are somewhat vulnerable if the impact from past injuries limits their performance). If a CB spot opens up it's Hobbs. If a safety spot opens up, then Babineaux plays there and Hobbs fills the CB spot vacated by Babs.
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