(Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
The Seattle Seahawks made a number of surprising moves Saturday to get down to the roster limit of 53.
Early in the day, word came that they had cut starting safety Brian Russell and signed 35-year-old safety Lawyer Milloy, who played for coach Jim Mora in Atlanta in 2006.
Adding to that stunner, the Seahawks then cut linebacker D.D. Lewis, a versatile backup who figured to be the fourth linebacker.
The team chose to keep veteran Olindo Mare over second-year kicker Brandon Coutu, obviously prizing Mare's deep kickoffs over Coutu's youth.
The Hawks also put injured cornerback Marcus Trufant on the PUP, meaning he will miss at least the first six games of the season as he tries to rally from a back problem. With Trufant out, the Hawks kept Travis Fisher over Kevin Hobbs even though neither had an inspiring preseason.
The Hawks kept just five receivers, with Ben Obomanu joining the expected quartet of T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Nate Burleson, Deion Branch and rookie Deon Butler. Courtney Taylor was let go. Many had speculated that Branch would be cut, but the Seahawks kept him as their No. 3 receiver.
The team went with just five receivers and six linebackers because it stunningly kept 11 defensive linemen, obviously unable to ignore the preseason play of sixth-round pick Nick Reed and undrafted Michael Bennett and Derek Walker. The loser in that battle was Baraka Atkins, a former fourth-round pick. And, of course, Taylor and Lewis at the other positions.
The only draft pick not retained was seventh-round safety Courtney Greene. Tight end Cameron Morrah claimed the third spot at his position ahead of Joe Newton, who might be headed for the practice squad once again.
The team also waived receiver Jordan Kent with an injury settlement and released offensive lineman Cory Withrow from injured reserve.
Other guys cut: S Jamar Adams, G Brian De La Puente, CB Marquis Floyd, T Na'Shan Goddard, S Courtney Greene, WR Mike Hass, FB David Kirtman, RB Devin Moore, CB Nate Ness, TE Joe Newton, WR Logan Payne, LB Dave Philistin, T Andre Ramsey, T William Robinson, QB Jeff Rowe.
Adams, Greene, Hass, Moore, Newton and Payne would seem to be locks for the practice squad, with two other spots open. In the unlikely event he does not sign with another team, Coutu also could end up on the squad.
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