Seattle Seahawks: Rookies, Backups Lead to 31-21 Win

Lars HansonSep 3, 2009

Jim Mora is now 4-0 as the Seattle Seahawks head coach. 4-0 in his first preseason as the Seahawks head coach, and that's history.

Jim Mora Jr. is the first Seahawks head coach to go undefeated in the preseason.

A new head coach, no matter if he's already been on the coaching staff always looks to put their stamp on the team right away and Jim Mora Jr. has definitely done that in the preseason.

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Now due to the fact that this was the fourth and final preseason game before the Seahawks week one game at home against the St Louis Rams the Seahawks had most of their starters not even play.

Only Matt Hasselbeck (one drive) and Sean Locklear started the game.

A few other players who are starters but rookies played more than they usually would. Those being Aaron Curry, Deon Butler, and Max Unger (starting RG).

This game, as Seahawks GM Tim Ruskell put it will feature players that are still trying to make the team or better themselves on their current standings.

A few game notes before the recap.

1) Nick Reed got the start at DE.

2) Edgerrin James started.

3) This game was going to be the deciding factor in the kicking battle. Coutu Vs. Mare

Now let's see how the Seahawks essential rookies and backups faired as we recap the game.

First quarter:

SEA- 22 yard touchdown pass from Mike Teel to Deon Butler. Four plays. 52 yards and 1:30 TOP.

OAK- 45 yard touchdown run by Lewis Rankin. Two plays. 54 yards and 1:05 TOP.

Second quarter:

SEA- 38 yard touchdown pass from Mike Teel to Ben Obomanu. One play. 38 yards and 0:07 TOP.

SEA- 24 yard field goal by Olindo Mare.

Third quarter:

SEA-1 yard touchdown run by Devin Moore. 13 plays. 92 yard and 5:47 TOP.

SEA- 44 yard touchdown pass from Jeff Rowe to Logan Payne. Five plays. 75 yards and 2:25 TOP.

Fourth quarter:

OAK- 6 yard touchdown run by Gary Russell. Seven plays. 86 yards and 3:42 TOP.

OAK- 2 yard touchdown run by Gary Russell. Four plays. 64 yards and 1:34 TOP.

The final score at Qwest field. Seahawks 31-Raiders 21.

Well a little bit closer at the end than originally thought but still a 10 point margin none the less for the Seahawks to pick up their fourth and final win in the 2009 preseason.

With this win the Seahawks under first year head coach Jim Mora Jr. go undefeated in the preseason and in well deserving as well.

Let's take a look at some key performers for the game tonight.

QB Mike Teel- 11/19, 148 yards and 2 touchdown passes with zero interceptions.

RB Devin Moore- 22 carries, 75 yards and one touchdown.

WR Logan Payne- 2 receptions for 63 yards and one touchdown reception.

WR Deon Butler- 2 receptions for 45 yards and one touchdown reception.

WR Ben Obomanu- 2 receptions for 58 yards and one touchdown reception.

LB Aaron Curry- 4 tackles 1 sack and 1 forced fumble.

DE Nick Reed- 5 tackles 1 sack and 1 forced fumble.

Well it's backups that are very key in the NFL because everyone knows it only takes one second for a key injury to happen at a key position and all of a sudden the backups you picked in the preseason now have to step in for the regular season.

I think Jim Mora Jr. can look at tonight’s game as well as the other three games and easily pick is 53-man roster and a few practice squad players.

Nick Reed this preseason have been better than perfect. Reed, a seventh round pick out of Oregon did not get much credit for his great college success, but the Seahawks loved him as a football player even though of his size.

Reed has been the steal of the draft if you use the preseason as a tool. I don't think you could give me another player in the entire NFL draft that has performed better than Nick Reed in the seventh round.

Reed is probably better than most third round picks by the way he's played in the preseason.

Aaron Curry, the Seahawks fourth overall pick has not played much this preseason due to his contract holdout, which forced him to take longer to learn the playbook, as well as injuries which forced him out of the Broncos and Chiefs games.

But tonight Curry showed why everyone said he was the best player coming out of the NFL draft as well as the best NFL ready player coming out of the draft.

Curry, it seemed was in on almost every single play and on one occasion was unblocked which allowed him to force a fumble on quarterback Charlie Frye which was recovered by of course, DE Nick Reed.

Tonight a lot of players earned their roster spots and a lot of players lost their spots or did not claim one entirely.

So with a great, outstanding performance from all of the backups that were in the game, with the exception of Aaron Curry and Max Unger who are going to be locked starters, all played a great game.

The final score in Seattle. Seahawks 31 and the Raiders 21.

NOTE: A bonus in the Seahawks recap. I'm going to name my 22 cuts for the Seattle Seahawks.

I will personally guarantee that Deion Branch is not on this list nor will he be cut because if he was on the bubble he would have played a lot more tonight.

So let's get it going.

Offense:

QB Jeff Rowe

RB Devin Moore (practice squad)

FB David Kirtman

FB Tyler Roehl

WR Mike Hass

WR Jordan Kent (left game with ankle injury)

WR Courtney Taylor

TE Cameron Morrah (practice squad)

OT Andre Ramsey

OT Na'Shan Goddard

C Cory Withrow

OT William Robinson

Defense:

DE Baraka Atkins

DT Derek Walker

DT Red Bryant (practice squad)

SS Courtney Greene (practice squad)

LB Lance Laury

LB Dave Philistin

CB Travis Fisher

FS C.J Wallace (practice squad)

K Olindo Mare

CB Marquis Floyd

That leaves the final 53 and here is how I see the roster being broken down in order from starter to third/fourth/fifth/sixth string depending on the position.

QB: Hasselbeck, Wallace and Teel

RB: Jones, James and Forsett

FB: Griffith and Schmitt

WR's: Houshmandzadeh, Burleson, Branch, Butler, Payne and Obomanu

TE's: Carlson, Owens and Newton

LT: Locklear and Jones (until Walter Jones comes back)

LG: Sims and De La Puente

C: Vallos and Spencer (till he comes back then he starts)

RG: Unger and Wrotto

RT: Willis and Kyle Willams

LE: Redding and Jackson

DT: Mebane and Terrill