There is probably more turnover in the backfield that any other spot on the Seahawks roster. The Seahawks started last year with the following five backs:
RB Shaun Alexander, RB Maurice Morris, RB Alvin Pearman, FB Mack Strong, FB Leonard Weaver
And by Week 5, both Pearman and Strong were on injured reserve.
The 2008 version of the Seahawks presents an almost entirely different cast of characters, and a roster situation that many fans are completely misconstruing. At this point, there are as many as 8 running backs with a realistic chance to make the team. However, that list could easily be cut down to 6 guys depending on how liberally you want to apply the term realistic:
RB Julius Jones, RB Maurice Morris, RB T.J. Duckett, RB Justin Forsett, FB Leonard Weaver, FB David Kirtman, FB Owen Schmitt, FB Dan Curran
Those 6 (or 8) guys are fighting for 5 roster spots. Julius Jones, Maurice Morris, T.J. Duckett, and Leonard Weaver are guaranteed to take up 5 of those spots as long as they remain healthy. And it really comes down to a battle between David Kirtman and Owen Schmitt for the backup fullback job.
For whatever reasons, a good percentage of the 12th man has it in their heads that Morris is vulnerable to being cut and/or Weaver will be lucky to end up in a time-share situation with Schmitt at fullback. That is just nonsense. Morris and Weaver are the only two backs remaining that were on the active roster for all of 2007. Stability counts for something. David Kirtman is also a little bit of a forgotten man. Those three have spent a combined 11 seasons with the organization. That is 11 more than the rest of the running backs combined.
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At tailback, Julius Jones was brought in to be the game-breaker, and he should be considered the "starter". Duckett will serve as thunder to Jones' lightning, but he isn't just a power back. He has the skills to fight for a full-time starting gig in the right offense (unfortunately for him, this isn't it).
Morris might start training camp in a time-share situation, but Jones will pick up more and more of the load as time goes on. The size of his role will depend on if Jones can stay healthy, and how fast he picks up the offense and jells with the rest of the unit. Morris will eventually land in his usual role of backup plan and third down back. Just because he isn't likely to emerge as the starter doesn't mean he is going anywhere.
And then there is Justin Forsett. Don't get me wrong, Forsett is one of the better #4 HB the Seahawks have had in training camp in a awhile. He just isn't fast enough to get regular action in the NFL as a speed back, and that is all he is. If one of the three halfbacks ahead of his goes down in the preaseason, then he stands a decent chance to make the team, instead of forcing the Seahawks to go get someone else. That's about it; unless he somehow gets a lot faster in the next two months than he has been able to show so far (maybe his game speed is great).
At fullback, the situation is pretty simple. Forget all the hoopla about Owen Schmitt. I hope he does well, I hope he makes it to multiple Pro Bowls in his career, I love his attitude and character, I plan to buy an Owen Schmitt jersey someday. Let's get that out of the way. However, he is still a fifth round fullback fighting to earn a roster spot over David Kirtman. And Dan Curran might even make it a three man race, although I doubt that.
Schmitt has the clear edge on Kirtman because of his size, but he will need to show he can be a solid special teams player if he is going to earn that spot. Schmitt could struggle with his blocking one on one against regular NFL linebackers, and it remains to be seen if his receiving skills will translate to the NFL passing game. This isn't college or a Country Road in West Virginia, Mountain Mommas. This is the NFL and things are many very good college players don't make it. That being said, I think Schmitt will easily get the better of Kirtman when it is all said and done.
Leonard Weaver is a very strong runner, an excellent run blocker, and a very good receiver. I suspect he has and will continue to focus most of his attention on continuing to improve his pass-blocking, and he already made big strides in that area last year. He was on the short list lat year for Pro Bowl consideration, and now he is going to move into a time-share situation with an unproven, late-round rookie? Ask yourself if that makes sense. You can like Owen Schmitt, but the coronation that is taking place right now is premature and a little foolish. If you don't believe me, then go ask Owen Schmitt.
Starters: HB Julius Jones, FB Leonard Weaver
Locks: HB Maurice Morris, HB T.J. Duckett
Looking safe: FB Owen Schmitt
Fighting chance: FB David Kirtman
Longshots: FB Dan Curran, HB Justin Forsett
Up Next: Quarterbacks and Offensive Line
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