Seattle Seahawks Training Camp: Making the Cut

(Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

Defensive tackles

Number kept last year: Four

Guaranteed: Brandon Mebane, Colin Cole, Red Bryant, Craig Terrill

The Seahawks are settled on their quartet at defensive tackle. Cory Redding has been listed as a defensive end in this article, but should spell at tackle in third-down situations.

Defensive ends

Number kept last year: Five

Guaranteed: Patrick Kerney, Cory Redding, Lawrence Jackson, Darryl Tapp

Camp Battle: Baraka Atkins vs. Nick Reed vs. Michael Bennett vs. Brandon Miller

Atkins will enter camp as the favorite, having played with some regularity in 2008. Reed is one to keep an eye on—he’s undersized but managed a school record 29.5 sacks at Oregon. Taken in the seventh round this year, he could make the team as a special teamer. Miller and Bennett are both 2009 undrafted free agent signings.

Prediction: Atkins to make the roster, Reed also a possibility on special teams.

Linebackers

Number kept last year: Seven

Guaranteed: Aaron Curry, Lofa Tatupu, Leroy Hill, D.D. Lewis, Will Herring, Lance Laury, David Hawthorne 

There will be no camp battle at linebacker. The starters (Curry, Tatupu, and Hill) are obvious with Lewis, Herring, and Laury providing the backup. Hawthorne adds special teams value.

Cornerbacks

Number kept last year: Four

Guaranteed: Marcus Trufant, Ken Lucas, Josh Wilson

Camp Battle: Kelly Jennings vs. Kevin Hobbs

Despite Jennings’ struggles, the team is unlikely to give up on the 2006 first-round pick this early. Nevertheless, this is a crossroads in his career, and he needs to impress at camp to remain in consideration.

Prediction: Jennings survives...for now.

Safeties

Number kept last year: Three

Guaranteed: Deon Grant, Brian Russell, Jordan Babineaux

Camp Battle: Jamar Adams vs. Courtney Greene vs. C.J. Wallace

The team has shown confidence in Jordan Babineaux’s flexibility in the secondary. If the team chooses to keep an extra safety, this could be an interesting battle. Grant and Russell will almost certainly remain starters.

Prediction: Greene could be the choice with Adams going to the practice squad.

Special Teams

Number kept last year: Four

Guaranteed: John Ryan

Camp Battle: Olindo Mare vs. Brandon Coutu

Round two of the Seahawks kicking competition will take place this summer. Mare won last year and had a productive season, making 88.9% of his field goals and nailing 22 touchbacks. In any other situation, he’d be a clear favorite. But the team thought highly enough of Coutu to keep him on the roster throughout 2008. Even if Mare succeeds once more, Coutu could stick around for another year of inactivity.

Prediction: Mare starts, but Coutu again makes the roster.

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