Seattle's 55 Man Roster Strategy
I felt compelled to respond to this, because I doubt anyone who reads this site doesn't also read Seahawks Insider:
But also, maybe they kept somebody like Brandon Coutu hoping that teams fill out their practice squads and active rosters this week, then they will cut him next week and try to slide them onto their practice squad after everybody else's is full. Or, if they happen to find a punt returner, they do the same thing with Forsett.
That idea doesn't survive scrutiny. 53 is a limit on a team's roster size. A roster is never "set". Neither is a practice squad, which may be added to or subtracted from at any time. Justin Forsett and Brandon Coutu are no less exposed after week one than they are now, because teams are just as capable of signing a player off another team's practice squad then as they are now. Teams cut and sign new kickers and return-men every season.
Honestly, I don't think any strategy is at work. Unless Tim Ruskell slipped something into Jordan Babineaux's drink, the team didn't decide to have two of its players suspended. Those suspensions delay two decisions, buy Seattle time, but haven't circumvented the waiver system or the practice squad. The only real gain, time, might be useful for weathering an injury.
Believe it or not, Seattle might just keep two kickers. The combined best kickoff and field goal units in the NFL (Houston and Tennessee, respectively) were worth 16.6 points above average. Despite all the fawning over Brown, Seattle was worth a combined 0.2 points above average in those same categories. Tim Ruskell showed his cards - signing a kicker, drafting a kicker and drafting a long snapper - so why should we be surprised he's willing to commit an abnormal amount of resources to special teams?
And when Seattle makes its second wave of cuts, look for the players returning, not just Babs and Bernard but also Branch and Engram, to determine who's sent packing. My guess? Logan Payne and Howard Green.
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i’d be surprised if they cut payne, wouldnt that put the number of receivers capable of suiting up in the first couple weeks at 3?
by d.alexander on Aug 31, 2008 11:28 AM PDT 0 recs
One thing I noticed...
is that Seattle started using its TEs as slot receivers. It’s hardly revolutionary, but using Putzier and Carlson as slot receivers could help the team withstand a couple weeks short at the position.
by John Morgan on
Aug 31, 2008 12:56 PM PDT
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what about morris?
he’s a pretty decent receiver, could he go out of the slot? I think i remember reading that the hawks use a lot of three WR sets and I just dont see them carrying any less than four. i’d prefer Obo, if given the option, and possibly even bumpus, but i think we’re stuck with payne for the first few weeks.
by d.alexander on
Aug 31, 2008 1:20 PM PDT
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Yo, that's why I suggested he wasn't an option.
Not trying to be a dick
by d.alexander on
Aug 31, 2008 2:04 PM PDT
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I wouldn't be surprised if...
… they kept Mare on just for the Buffalo game. Buffalo has a very good return game with Parrish and McGee. I’d think that having Mare in there over Coutu is a better improvement than say Babin to Jamar Adams in coverage. If they keep Mare on this week, they could pin Buffalo back and limit their kickoff returns substantially. After this week, if Coutu does ok placekicking, or if Mare fails at field goals, I think they might just go with Coutu from here on out… or do as John says and keep both, but it makes little sense not to have Mare out there on kickoffs in week one.
by PascoJoe on Aug 31, 2008 12:58 PM PDT 0 recs
do you think maybe they kept both for a trade?
i was surprised that ruskell didn’t trade someone for a low pick before the cuts. both kickers can play in this league, maybe the hawks have something on the back burner for week 1.
by bitterguy on Aug 31, 2008 1:40 PM PDT 0 recs
Don't be surprised
if he keeps both… Carolina (my “home” team) is keeping both:
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfcsouth/0-2-149/Observations-on-NFC-south-cutdown-day.html
It is what it is...
by kidder95 on Aug 31, 2008 1:51 PM PDT 0 recs
Hate to say it... but I don't mind this.
As long as we get some ($&#$*! kickoffs in the end zone, and I’m not having a heart attack every time we kick a field goal, I can handle a little less depth at safety or DT.
Are Adams, Green, or Payne really that much better than someone we can grab as an FA or use a low-rounder on?
by djafrot on Aug 31, 2008 2:37 PM PDT 0 recs
Practice squad annoucned: Both Adams and Bumpus made it through waivers!
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/nfcwest/0-2-424/Waiver-claims-touch-Rams—but-not-Seahawks.html
It looks like Kyle Williams, Jew Newton, Marquis Floyd, Kevin Brown and Pat Murray are the other practice squad players. There is still 1 spot open.
by MFAN on Aug 31, 2008 3:19 PM PDT 0 recs
well, didn't that work out A-OK.
Good to see those two guys still around.
by djafrot on
Aug 31, 2008 3:30 PM PDT
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If there is still one spot open
does that mean they might have put a claim in for someone else’s player? I hear Chad Jackson got cut by the pats…..
by Nate Dogg on
Aug 31, 2008 3:43 PM PDT
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Jew Newton?
I live in georegia but i dont see rusia no where not even sound but they says theres tanks should i be worrie-Yahoo Answers
by Phildopip on
Aug 31, 2008 5:47 PM PDT
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Short for Jews (sounds like Juice)
"Those who fear disorder more than injustice inevitably produce more of both." -- Rev. William Coffin
by dcrockett17 on
Aug 31, 2008 5:54 PM PDT
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wow, bad slip up on my part
I was probably ready to type the last name and slipped a few letters into the 1st name.
by MFAN on
Aug 31, 2008 7:48 PM PDT
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Uh huh...sure.
I live in georegia but i dont see rusia no where not even sound but they says theres tanks should i be worrie-Yahoo Answers
by Phildopip on
Aug 31, 2008 9:15 PM PDT
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i still think one of the kickers will be cut
along with Babin.
by lemonverbena on Sep 1, 2008 10:59 AM PDT 0 recs









