Oakland Raiders @ Seattle Seahawks GameThread, Aug 29, 2008 7:00 PM PDT

Raiders @ Seahawks: Game Thread

by John Morgan on Aug 29, 2008 3:00 PM PDT

Oakland Raiders @ Seattle Seahawks

"Show me somethin' Red."

Field Gulls Podcast assumes its regular time tomorrow, Saturday 1pm PDT.

What I'll be watching for tonight after the bump.

Jason Babin (#52) on special teams.

Babin turned 28 in late May. He's on the down slope of his prime. On the one hand, getting the prime years of a moderately talented defensive end without committing to an onerous contract is ideal. Every team in the NFL would love that kind of depth. On the other hand, if the team retains 11 defensive linemen, who's going to play special teams? Maybe Babin. He combined with Kevin Hobbs for a special teams tackle against the Vikings and his slender, linebacker-like body allows him to get downfield. Babin's ability to play special teams might allow Seattle the luxury of depth. Otherwise, keeping a third string defensive end instead of a proven gunner like C.J. Wallace could haunt Seattle all season.

What becomes of CJ Wallace?

Hobbs is practice squad eligible, but after a fine preseason, it would be risky to put him there. If the team retains Hobbs, it will be committing seven slots, minimum, to defensive backs and five of them, nominally, would be cornerbacks. Putting Jamar Adams on the practice squad would be similarly risky and C.J. Wallace isn't even eligible. It's conceivable Seattle keeps nine defensive backs, but nine DBs, 11 DL and five (exposing David Hawthorne on the practice squad) linebackers commits 25 players to defense. Subtract three specialist and the injured offense is left with only 25 slots. It's tough to argue for cutting Wallace, who is Seattle's best special team tackler - though not so good at blocking - but it's harder still to expose better talent on the practice squad. Wallace could be literally playing for his job tonight, and how he does could make things easy or interesting tomorrow.

Can Chris Spencer make line calls?

Steve Vallos doesn't have a fraction of Spencer's strength or athleticism, but Seattle's pass blocking has looked strong throughout the preseason. Watch for free blitzers on Spencer's snaps, missed assignments could be an indication that Vallos' time on the second string will be brief.

Will Logan Payne make the practice squad?

Payne is well behind Burleson, Kent and Taylor regarding the roster. Throw in Bobby Engram, and Payne's best bet is 5^th on the depth chart. He's likely behind Obomanu too, who hasn't played well in the preseason, but has it all over Payne in experience, special teams ability and potential. Even on the practice squad, Payne is likely behind Michael Bumpus. Bumpus has been healthier and has outperformed Payne in the preseason. So, does the Logan Payne saga start with comedy and end in tragedy? Sudden free agency would certainly be a reversal after an offseason's worth of hype, but one must wonder if Payne, a polished player who won't gain any new tools between this season and next, has a future with Seattle or even in the NFL.

Red Bryant

Bryant was as rough as coal when he was injured and is just now returning. The team badly needs Bryant to pair with Craig Terrill to make a legitimate, even potentially excellent, second string tackle rotation. The more he can do tonight to make Howard Green expendable, the better I'll feel about Seattle's rush defense. As is, the team is a Brandon Mebane or Rocky Bernard injury from revisiting 2006.

Justin Forsett

Just play kid. We're all rootin' for ya.

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Comments

But let's face it.

There’s not much drama tonight. It’s not hard to retain almost every player of interest just by PUPing Branch. Well…it’s still Seahawks football.

by John Morgan on Aug 29, 2008 3:20 PM PDT 0 recs

Good points all,

i especially see you on J. Forsett

Why? Because the Seahawks rock my socks.

by Chickadee on Aug 29, 2008 3:38 PM PDT 0 recs

Well

Tonight could possibly be the final preseason game Verne Lundquist calls for us, I think his contract is up. But I guess I’m not too sad after this comment in the Bears game:

“And here come the Redskins!”

I think Forsett still has a spot on the roster, but to ensure himself he needs like a 90 yard game.

We always win preseason home games for some reason, so I think it’s a 23-14 win.

Give me the home, where Buffalo roams, and watch Jones get a hundred yard game.

by SSreporters on Aug 29, 2008 3:48 PM PDT 0 recs

Wallace

Cut Wallace. Yeah, the special teams might suffer, but Wallace has no future in the NFL as a starting player, and it would be a shame to take away a spot from a guy with legitimate potential (Baraka, Jamar, Hobbs, Hawthorne, etc) to get a slightly better ST gunner. He played great last preseason, and I had hopes, but he hasn’t shown much improvement from last year, and there are better talents on the squad.

I go to UW and play in the band, so I’ve seen nearly every UW game of the past 3 years live, which includes Wallace’s prime years, and I’ve met Wallace several times (friend of a friend), and I’m fairly certain he will never play safety at an NFL level.

by UW Alex on Aug 29, 2008 4:03 PM PDT 0 recs

I'm most excited for Bryant

I’d like to see what he’s able to do, and I’m hoping he plays well tonight.

Likewise, also really rooting for Forsett. He’s become quite the fan favorite after the first two games. Well, maybe not fan favorite – but the underdog that everyone is rooting for.

by AtomicGarden on Aug 29, 2008 4:23 PM PDT 0 recs

Is this game going to be televised?

If so what channel?

by OlSalty on Aug 29, 2008 5:55 PM PDT 0 recs

It's on KING 5

Apparently the Comcast guide doesn’t list it, but that’s where it’s supposed to be airing.

by Strang on Aug 29, 2008 6:03 PM PDT up 0 recs

Oh okay, that's why I was confused

It wasn’t showing up anywhere on the guide, thanks.

by OlSalty on Aug 29, 2008 6:19 PM PDT up 0 recs

It is listed as being on FOX on my Comcast guide (I’m in Vancouver, WA).

by Misfit74 on Aug 29, 2008 6:24 PM PDT up 0 recs

It's Comcast

You should see how many times they get basic soccer names incorrect.

I don’t trust their guide……

Give me the home, where Buffalo roams, and watch Jones get a hundred yard game.

by SSreporters on Aug 29, 2008 6:31 PM PDT up 0 recs

Other teams' cuts...

Lets not forget that there are players who will be cut from other teams that may be better options than some of these guys.

Babin is an intriguing piece. A first round pick in 2004. He started his rookie season in Houston and gradually fell out of favor there. The fact they traded him for Boulware says a lot.

His career is really hanging in the balance… Last year was probably the first year he ever didn’t get playing time since he started playing ball. Hopefully that was a wake up call for him. This recent article http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/seahawks/2008120577_hawk18.html?syndication=rss
claims he’s been bulking up and learning from Kerney this off-season.

He ran a 4.65 40 at the combin
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/2004/draft/players/48367.html
which is decent even for a LB (and scary for an end). All this is worthless if he can’t show it on the field, which he failed to do (albeit on some terrible Texan’s teams) early in his career. Still, he is intriguing as a #4 DE who specializes in pass rush that can help out on ST. Great insights John!

by michaelfox99 on Aug 29, 2008 6:27 PM PDT 0 recs