Key Positions Up For Grabs for Seattle Seahawks as Training Camp Looms

The Seattle Seahawks should have some pretty interesting position battles as we inch closer to training camp.  These position battles could have a major impact on the 2009 season.

Safety

2008 starters:  Deon Grant, Brian Russell

The Seahawks secondary was exploited quite a bit last season, ranking dead last in passing yards per game with 259.3 and giving up 25 passing touchdowns.

Starting safeties Deon Grant and Brian Russell, who struggled to stop the big play all season, will face stiff completion in training camp.

Second year player Jamar Adams should provide the stiffest completion for Brian Russell.  The hard hitting safety out of Michigan was signed as a free agent in 2008.  As a collegiate player he was second team All Big 10 twice and led the team with 92 tackles.

Adams is quick and should provide better deep coverage for the Seahawks Tampa 2 defense.

Also vying for a starting job is safety C.J Wallace.  Wallace was signed as a free agent in 2007.  The former Washington Husky played mostly on special teams in ’07 and ’08, recording 16 total tackles.

Projected 2009 starters:  Deon Grant, Jamar Adams

Corner

2008 starters:  Kelly Jennings, Marcus Trufant

As noted above, the Seahawks secondary was porous last season.  Kelly Jennings struggled in his third season as a starter and Marcus Trufant was rarely thrown at after registering seven interceptions and earning his first trip to the pro bowl in 2007.

Jennings will be looking to impress during training camp if he wants to keep his starting job from corner Ken Lucas.  The Seahawks signed free agent Ken Lucas this off season.  Last season, Lucas tallied 60 tackles and two interceptions for the Carolina Panthers.  Lucas should challenge for the starting corner position opposite Marcus Trufant.

Josh Wilson could also challenge for the starting corner position this season. Wilson had his best season as a pro in ‘08, recording three forced fumbles and four interceptions.

Wilson also provided a spark in the return game as well, averaging 25.4 yards per kickoff return. 

Projected 2009 starters:  Ken Lucas, Marcus Trufant

Offensive Line

2008 starters:  Walter Jones, Mike Whale, Chris Spencer, Rob Sims, Sean Locklear

There will be several different battles in the offensive line this season.  Walter Jones and Sean Locklear should retain their starting tackle positions. 

However, each of the other three line positions could be decided in training camp. 

Starting left guard Mike Whale could be challenged by rookie Max Unger, who converted from center to guard during the rookie minicamp.  Unger impressed the coaches with his play and could supplant Mike Whale if he impresses in training camp.

The right guard spot could be a two player battle between Mansfield Wrotto and Rob Sims.  With Ray Willis in line to be the right tackle of the future; these two should battle for the starting job at right guard.

Center is another key position battle between Chris Spencer and Steve Vallos.  The Seahawks also signed undrafted free agent David Washington.

Spencer, Seattle’s first round pick in ’05, has struggled to live up to his potential.  After suffering a season ending back injury last year he was replaced by Steve Vallos.

Vallos started five games for the Seahawks last season and helped lead a depleted offensive line in a week 16 win against the New York Jets, allowing zero sacks and opened up holes for former Seahawks Maurice Morris who rushed for 116 yards.

Washington impressed coaches in the rookie minicamp and earned a spot at training camp.

Projected 2009 starters:  Walter Jones, Mike Whale, Chris Spencer, Ray Willis, Sean Locklear

Wide Receiver

The Seahawks will have a good battle for the third wide out in training camp.  T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Deion Branch are projected to be the one and two wide receivers, with Nate Burleson and Deon Butler battling it out for the third wide receiver position.

Burleson was bumped to the number one receiving spot last season after starters Deion Branch and Bobby Engram suffered injuries preventing them from starting the season. 

However, Burleson was also sidelined for the 2008 after sustaining a torn ACL in the season opener at Buffalo.

Challenging him will be Seahawks third round pick Deon Butler.  Butler ran an impressive 4.38 40 yard dash at the combine and could provide the Seahawks with a deep threat. 

In his senior season at Penn State he compiled 47 receptions for 870 yards and seven touchdowns.  Butler has also impressed coaches with his speed and his hands during the rookie minicamp.

Courtney Taylor, Jordan Kent, Billy McMullen, Ben Obomanu, Michael Bumpus and Mike Hass also look to make a splash as the Seahawks fourth wide receiver. 

Obomanu suffered a broken collar bone in the preseason and Courtney Taylor struggled last season.  They should really challenge the others for that fourth position.

Projected depth chart:  T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Deion Branch, Nate Burleson, Deon Butler, Ben Obomanu

Fullback

2008 starter:  Leonard Weaver

After losing starting fullback Leonard Weaver to the Philadelphia Eagles this off season, the Seahawks are hopeful to find a fullback to help open holes for the Seahawks running game.

Second year player Owen Schmitt and newly signed Justin Griffith look to earn the starting job out of training camp this season. 

Griffith, formerly of the Oakland Raiders, helped open up holes for the tenth best rushing attack in the league last season, averaging 124.2 yards per game.

Schmitt, a fifth round pick in 2008, looks to earn the starting position after playing in 15 games last season.

Both are solid blockers, but with Griffith playing for Gregg Knapp last season in Oakland, he should earn the starting spot this season.

Projected 2009 starter:  Justin Griffith

Kicker

2008 starter:  Olindo Mare

In an interesting and somewhat controversial decision last year, the Seahawks kept two kickers on the roster in Olindo Mare and Brandon Coutu.

Mare kicked very well for the Seahawks, making 24 of 27 field goal attempts including three of 50+ yards.

Coutu did not play in 2008 after suffering an injury. 

If Coutu impresses in training camp, he wins the job.  If he doesn’t, he is more than likely cut in favor of Mare.  It is hard to imagine the Seahawks keeping two kickers again for ’09.

Projected 2009 starter:  Olindo Mare