2009 Season Retrospective: Ben Obomanu

by John Morgan on Jul 19, 2010 4:36 PM PDT

Ben Obomanu

Highlights

Brad Maynard badly shanks the punt, sending it only 11 yards and, despite a holding call charged against Lance Laury, gives Seattle excellent field position. Ben Obomanu was storming from around the edge and his pressure forced the shank.

Lowlights

Outlook: Ben has turned himself into a quality gunner and that's no small achievement for the former 249th overall pick. He has also showed a little something rushing off the edge on punt returns. His tackling ability, tough to pin down before last season, proved reliable. He isn't a great return man, and it's hard to see Obomanu serving as anything more than depth going forward, but he was not terrible. Steady. His contributions as a receiver are drying up, and he faces greater depth and tougher competition for the fifth spot he held down last season.

Obomanu is competing for a roster spot. The Seahawks will retain Ben or Sean Morey, maybe neither, but probably not both. Obomanu is not eligible for the practice squad and shouldn't be. He may not be a great pro, but he has earned his place and deserves a roster slot somewhere. I like Obomanu because he is a solid athlete, tough and has worked hard to stick around so long. From an ability standpoint, I can not tell you who should be favored between Obomanu and Morey, but if only because of loyalty, I will be rooting for Ben*.

*Unless Morey is significantly better**.

**And if he is not, I think you take the younger, cheaper and more versatile player.

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Comments

I agree; all things being equal, keep Obo over Morey

I hope we can keep 6 receivers on the final roster, however; for as much animosity he brings out in Seahawks fans, I’d like Branch to get one more shot (if he deserves it). But if I had to choose between Branch or Obomanu…..I guess I choose Obo, again.

by J.L. White on Jul 19, 2010 4:51 PM PDT reply actions

Eek

I would only choose Obo between Obo-Branch if the other 4 receivers were close to as good as Branch, thus necessitating a special teams guy. When I think about it, Obomanu is one of the better pickups Seattle made: Special teams and receiving contributor for several seasons for a seventh-round pick. Wonder if it was expressly Ruskell’s idea to pick him up?

Though they sink through the Sea, they shall rise again...Death shall have no dominion...

by Cheddar28 on Jul 19, 2010 9:35 PM PDT up reply actions

Morey is 34?

I hadn’t realized that. He’s…getting a bit up there to be competing for a roster spot. All other things being equal, I’m rooting for Obo to make the team one more time.

by Buster! on Jul 19, 2010 5:09 PM PDT reply actions

He played in the NFL under Pete Carroll

so he has to be getting up there.

by Suburban Shocker on Jul 20, 2010 8:17 AM PDT up reply actions

I just wanted to say, we get a ton of great photography, but the picture above is truly excellent.

Kudos Ted S. Warren and Elaine Thompson.

by John Morgan on Jul 19, 2010 5:16 PM PDT reply actions

Seriously, look at Obo's freaking Long Head.

My favorite thing about getting Author status was being able to page through the AP photos, they are awesome.

by DJ C-Raig on Jul 20, 2010 11:15 AM PDT up reply actions

Hmmmmm

Ya always root for teh guys that have been around, but with the in flux of other young WRs with potential Ben could lose the numbers game. I hope not though

Beer, its not just for breakfast anymore.

by Dougula on Jul 19, 2010 5:53 PM PDT reply actions

If Morey beats out Obomanu

Does anyone think the Seahawks might be able to snag a 6th or 7th round draft choice for Obo instead of cutting him? Seems like some team might have an interest in a young, cheap and not terrible player who can improve their special teams.

by Suburban Shocker on Jul 20, 2010 8:30 AM PDT reply actions

Unlikely, I think.

Teams are very protective of draft picks.

by John Morgan on Jul 20, 2010 9:56 AM PDT up reply actions

I guess so

But you never know when you’ll find another exec who’s sad and desperate enough to do something like trade a 5th rounder for two months of Keary Colbert. (Why can’t the teams I root for ever be on the other end of bad trades?)

by Suburban Shocker on Jul 20, 2010 3:32 PM PDT up reply actions

Mariners?

Now with more lemon bars!

by Fear on Jul 20, 2010 3:36 PM PDT up reply actions

Clearly you do forget Rick Mirer.

Though I admit, that was a long time ago.

by djafrot on Jul 20, 2010 3:38 PM PDT up reply actions

I think I know a place

that would take him for like a 4th round pick.

Chicago… think about it…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZDUh9yboqI

Your culture is primitive; yet so funky!

by jubelthebear on Jul 20, 2010 5:04 PM PDT up reply actions

A special teamer is rarely worth a pick

They’d rather wait for him to be dropped

by Thomas Beekers on Jul 20, 2010 10:06 AM PDT up reply actions

I suppose that really we should be rooting for Konz to play take this role

in lieu of either Obo or Morey. Head-to-head I am also rooting for Obo over Morey. In the larger scheme of things though, I’d hope a young guy like Konz would step up and take charge of that role.

"Those who fear disorder more than injustice inevitably produce more of both." -- Rev. William Coffin

by dcrockett17 on Jul 20, 2010 9:51 AM PDT reply actions

I kep thinking that Konz is this season's Nick Reed

Much as Nick Reed was 2009’s Justin Forsett. A late-round draft pick that plays hard in preseason and wins the favor of the fans. Konz has some serious tools, and I have a niggling feeling that he’ll make a roster spot on ST rather than go to the practice squad.

by Buster! on Jul 20, 2010 1:47 PM PDT up reply actions

Blasphemy.

Okay yeah that’s plausible, but part of me wants Nick Reed to make the pre-season that much fun again. Good DE play is more exciting than good TE play for me.

Though they sink through the Sea, they shall rise again...Death shall have no dominion...

by Cheddar28 on Jul 20, 2010 2:07 PM PDT up reply actions