Preliminary Seahawks Depth Chart and Projecting the Final 53 Man Roster: Offensive Line
by John Morgan on Aug 9, 2010 3:09 PM PDT
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PrintIf Seattle retains six wide receivers, four running backs and four tight ends, sacrifices will be made elsewhere. But where? I will see if I can figure that out.
Left Tackle
Starter: Russell Okung
Backup: Ray Willis
In the mix: Mansfield Wrotto
Wrotto is in the mix but not because of tenure, but because of versatility. His ability to play guard, tackle or even center in a pinch gives him an edge over comparable linemen.
Left Guard
Starter: Ben Hamilton
Backup: N/A
In the mix: Mitch Erickson, Mike Gibson
Center
Starter: Chris Spencer
Alternate: Max Unger
Backup: Steve Vallos
In the mix: Jeff Byers
Unger is listed as OC/G on the Seahawks roster. That keeps the controversy alive, but Seattle does not have much depth at guard. If it moved Unger to center, it might have to move Spencer to guard. Vallos is in the mix because he has some regular season experience and some of the abilities Gibbs wants in a center: squat, quick, smart. I think Byers is practice squad bound, if he makes it that far.
Right Guard
Starter: Max Unger
In the mix: Mitch Erickson, Mike Gibson
Right Tackle
Starter: Sean Locklear
Backup: Ray Willis
In the mix: Mansfield Wrotto, Jacob Phillips
And so, with that, we see that this is a pretty thin unit. It's an interesting setup. Okung, Hamilton and Unger have enjoyed good health. Spencer and Locklear have not. Gibbs emphasizes continuity and in this case that might mean something. Gibbs might sacrifice talent to ensure continuity. I don't know that Seattle has that luxury just yet, but if Spencer and Locklear struggle with injuries, I could see them shortlisted for replacement.
I project Seattle to start the season with Okung, Hamilton, Spencer, Unger, Locklear, Willis, Vallos and Wrotto on the roster. Chester Pitts will remain on the physically unable to perform list, and Byers and Phillips could land on the practice squad. Vallos could be replaced by one of Erickson or Gibson, as could Wrotto. Wrotto might have the edge because he can play guard or tackle. Willis can play guard or tackle and could back up both left tackle and right tackle.
That seems thin, maybe even unrealistically thin, and it is thin, and it might become thinner still. Vallos might not be retained. Wrotto might not be retained. Injuries may fell roster bound players. Starters will have to stay healthy. Depth is essential, but not needing it is even better.
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Seems like versatility is key for the backups
If the team really wants to carry 4 RBs, 4 TEs, 6 WRs and a FB, they’re going to have to be thin somewhere else. Having Wrotto, Willis and Vallos as the three backups means having people who can cover multiple positions, saving them from using up more roster spots.
by Suburban Shocker on Aug 9, 2010 3:53 PM PDT reply actions
Do we honestly need to carry 6 WR's?
I’m having a difficult time seeing a valid reason (other than injury) to keep more than 5 WR’s this year. After Branch, Butler, Housh, Tate, and Williams, who else is there that is a ‘must keep’? Maybe Obomanu for ST’s purposes, but he’s very much replaceable in that regard.
That's not really true
If Seattle doesn’t keep Obomanu, they must replace him another capable special teams player and it’s not going to Branch, Butler, Housh, Tate or Williams (maybe Williams). I think Obomanu has more traction than you give him credit for.
Yeah, I see your point, however...
Could we not designate a DB to take his place? Like the 5th corner or 4th safety?
Actually..
What exactly is wrong with the idea of letting Tate take over Obo’s responsibilities on ST’s? Is it merely an issue of keeping him out of harm’s way?
It would be a lot of work for Tate. He is the primary return man, should be a big part of the offense
and then making him a gunner would be overkill. Apart from that, we’re talking about a player that had two tackles over three seasons at Notre Dame.
A defensive back could overtake Obomanu, but it’s probably not going to be Adams, it won’t be Thomas and there is no evidence that it will be Chancellor.
Obo is good. That’s sort of the missing piece in this discussion. He isn’t just another wide receiver, he is the incumbent gunner and I think he proved pretty good at it.
Tate is a pretty tough cat
but yeah, that might be overdoing it. I have noticed that Obomanu is a willing and capable gunner. Nothing he’s done as a gunner has blown me away or anything, but I have noticed him making plays in that capacity. There is also the fact that most NFL gunners are indeed WR’s, so that kind of rules out the idea of using a DB. Going into this thing, I figured that Branch would have missed multiple practices and would be working his way off of the team, but it’s hard to imagine him being cut at this present time. I guess maybe 6 is a more realistic number at WR.
After last year
The idea of going into the year without much depth on the line is not an enticing one.
It sounds like a way to end up in position for the #1 overall pick in 2011.
We know we can’t count on a healthy season from Locklear and the same may be true for Spencer. Although we can’t know that for certain, I’d hate to get into the Brandon Fryes and Damion Mcintoshes of the world again. That would be a grim sign, indeed.
Red Bryant: surprise us!
I don't see how keeping Mike Gibson or Mitch Erickson or Jeff Byers around would make much of a difference
Short of one of those 3 stepping up remarkably during training camp, I doubt there is any chance they could break into the “Top 8” of Okung/Hamilton/Spencer/Unger/Locklear/Willis/Wrotto/Vallos. Short of Pitts getting healthy or signing someone new, I think our depth is pretty much set (and has been for months).
I'd be happy to take the injury risks involved here
because the other positions where we want depth will make good to frequent use of it. McCoy (by way of being a 2nd stringer blocking tight-end) will be more likely to play than Byers, Gibson, or Erickson. Branch should be used but will likely be injured necessitating having Butler around (I’d rather have him receiving than Obo) and all of our running backs are likely to be used nearly every game.
Though they sink through the Sea, they shall rise again...Death shall have no dominion...
But after '08 the idea of being thin at WR is also unpleasant.
Thank you, Walter Jones.
Thank you, Ken Griffey Jr.
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