1) Running Backs. Minicamp is a great time to experiment with running back formations. Julius Jones will get most of the work as the feature back with Maurice Morris backing him up. It will be interesting to see how T.J. Duckett works into the mix. Are he and Morris going to be 2a and 2b? Will he be lining up with Jones in split-back sets? Will he be in there in single-back sets? Duckett is really the wildcard to watch. And Duckett's role will impact Leonard Weaver as well.
As the season progresses, I see Jones and Duckett as the 1-2 punch, Morris becoming more of a scatback, and Weaver playing the traditional fullback role as well as getting some action in single-back sets on 3rd-and-short (5 yards or less). Fans are excited about newcomer Owen Schmitt, but he likely won't make much of an impact besides on special teams and as the backup fullback in case Weaver gets injured.
2) Wide Receivers. Bobby Engram will probably sit out this camp, so Nate Burleson will be given his chance to shine (or flop). Burleson caught 6 of his 9 TD receptions in the final nine games of the season. This will be Burleson's sixth NFL season, but he won't celebrate his 27th birthday until near the end of training camp. With D.J. Hackett gone and Deion Branch injured, Burleson should be poised for a breakout year. After Burleson, Courtney Taylor and Ben Obomanu are the two main players to watch. Those three should comprise the first unit in 3-WR sets (Taylor at flanker, Obomanu in the slot, and Burleson at split end). Logan Payne will also get a fair amount of work in the slot. Engram's absence might actually give the team more confidence for life after Bobby. 2008 is almost certainly his final season in Seattle.
3) Quarterbacks. How will the backup reps divide between Charlie Frye and Seneca Wallace? The #3 QB doesn't usually get much work with the starters or even the second unit. Frye might find himself tossing the ball to Logan Payne, Jordan Kent, and Anthony Russo. Or we could see Frye getting an equal amount of reps as Seneca Wallace. Wallace might even be the recipient of some Frye passes.
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4) Offensive Line. The starters are set, but there is a good chance Walter Jones, Chris Spencer, and Rob Sims will sit out all or most of minicamp. That means LT, C, and RG need to be replaced. Floyd Womack should get the work at LT and Chris Gray at C. If that is the case, then Womack should be considered a lock to make the team. It does leave a few possibilities at RG, which might illuminate the offensive line situation. Ray Willis should be back at practice and might take the reps at RG. But where does that leave Mansfield Wrotto? It would be surprising if Wrotto doesn't make the team, but a permanent move to guard for Willis would be a strong signal the Seahawks are considering keeping T Kyle Williams over G Mansfield Wrotto.
The other option would be to move Steve Vallos into the starting line-up at C with Chris Gray at RG. If the reserves are RG Ray Willis and RT Kyle Williams, then Wrotto is really in trouble. If the reserves are RG Wrotto and and RT Ray Willis, then Williams is the longshot to make the team. There is still a lot of time for things to be decided, but the formations the team uses will telegraph their current intentions.
5) Tight Ends. The Seahawks list the tight ends as Will Heller, Jeb Putzier, and John Carlson on the depth chart. Fans probably expect that order to reverse by the start of the season, but that isn't guaranteed. The Seahawks could show a lot more two-tight end sets to compensate for the situation at WR and improve the running game. If that is the case, then Heller might be in there for a majority of the snaps (a la Billy Bajema in San Francisco) with Putzier and Carlson splitting time. It may take a half season for Carlson to eclipse Putzier in terms of playing time. All three should get a decent amount of playing time this year.
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