Seattle Seahawks: 12 Players Who Could Be Released On Tuesday

With only one preseason game remaining, it's finally time; rosters will be cut from 90 to 80 players before Seattle hosts Oakland on Friday.

Seattle has gotten production out of their second and third teams on both sides of the ball, which will make this decision more difficult. However, some players simply haven't done enough to stand out as candidates to make first cuts.

A group of 20-25 players is likely being considered for first cuts. Here are 12 players who are could be on the chopping block.

Patrick Williams, WR

One of the Seahawks' deepest positions is the wide receiver group; Williams has gone from hot to cold this preseason.

He had a skillful catch in the first game in San Diego, tipping the ball to himself and catching it while enduring tight coverage.

However his game two performance against the Vikings was much different.

He was unable to maintain his footing on a third-down throw down the seam by Charlie Whitehurst that would have been a long completion for first down moving deeper into Vikings territory.

On a later drive, he dropped a potential first down catch and the come-back attempt eventually stalled. He didn't do much against Denver, except for an untimely holding on special teams late in the game.

With talent such as Ricardo Lockette, who they may want to stash on the practice squad, Kris Durham and Doug Baldwin vying for playing time, Williams appears to be one of the odd men out.

Ricky Thenarse, DB

Thenarse came out of Nebraska with a reputation as a strong special teams player, a tough safety competing against an equally young group. 

Thenarse's notable play of the preseason was tackling can Tim Tebow inbounds to keep the clock running, on the second last play of the game against Denver.

Otherwise, he hasn't registered a statistic on defense or on special teams; his special teams performance is yet to flash his potential.

With the depth in the backend and the competition for the final safety spots, I think he is unlikely to remain a Seahawk. 

Brandon Smith, WR

Smith is the standard case of athleticism and potential overshadowing college production.  

In his freshman year at ASU, he had six receptions with a 27.8 yards per catch average and two touchdowns; he had four catches for 29 yards the remainder of his career.

At his pro day, he ran a 4.39 40 yard dash and put up other impressive numbers that showed explosiveness and athleticism.

Smith struggled his entire college career to stay healthy, even though he had opportunities to get playing time. Given that he never saw the field for Seattle, it appears at this point he's just a camp body; an example of  the organization looking to do the most they can to fill the roster with athletic players, even if there's potentially no future.

Teryl White, DT

White didn't spend training camp with the team, signed just before the first game in San Diego.

In my opinion, his play has declined as the preseason has worn on.

Against Minnesota, he saw plenty of time in the second half, also playing the nose tackle spot in three down lineman, third and long situations.

The problem isn't his activity and motor--the video notes highlights his academic success, which comes from "diligence and preparation."

The issue was his lack of penetration into the backfield--sans one nice pressure on a third down. Against Denver, he had similar problems getting penetration and making plays as runners came through the line.

One thing that could affect his roster standing is the injury status of Pierre Allen. If the Seahawks are unsure of their depth on the defensive line for game four, White's active style of play and work ethic may be worth giving another shot; but to this point, he hasn't been enough of a factor.  

Neal Howey, LB

Howey has a strong motor and is always fighting to get to the ball, but he has looked physically overmatched on multiple occasions. 

A play that stands out to me is the San Diego Chargers 103 yard kickoff return, in which Howey was blocked out of the play early, but made an effort to chase for the entire play; never getting the ball carrier, but he was one of the men closest to the ball when the touchdown was scored—Howey's sub 4.6 speed standing out.

He had one notably nice tackle on Toby Gerhart in the flat and made the tackle on the final kickoff against Denver; a play where he picked his way to the ball.

The downside is that he's just not a big guy—6'1", 230—and has been run through multiple times this preseason by H-back types; he often gets lost in the fray.

I think Howey's on the bubble, but he could be saved because he's a high-hustle guy.

Jesse Hoffman, DB

There isn't much to go on for Hoffman, who hasn't seen much time this preseason.

He may have been in competition for the same spot as Byron Maxwell; a slot corner who can play special teams, but unfortunately for Hoffman, Maxwell has stood out. 

On the final drive versus San Diego Hoffman had a tipped pass and was in on the effort to make sure the Jeron Johnson tipped ball fell incomplete. 

However, he has struggled on special teams for the majority of the preseason. 

Other players he could be competing with are Ron Parker and Kennard Cox.

Cox has experience and was solid on special teams in '10, blocking a punt and providing a physical presence, and brings experience to compete with the young corners trying to make the roster. 

However, Parker could be neck and neck with Hoffman—Parker has shown potential on special teams, his speed standing out.  

Young depth at corner is not the Seahawks' problem and while Hoffman was decent in coverage, he has been less of a factor on special teams; that could ultimately be his undoing.  

David Howard, DL

Howard has been with the Seahawks for two games and has seen the field for a good bit of time with the second and third stringers.

He made an extremely impressive play exploding into the backfield and tackling Minnesota quarterback Joe Webb on a handoff.

Against Denver, he didn't show quite the power or jump off the ball he showed versus Minnesota. He wasn't as steady on his feet and was unable to gain penetration like did the game before.

The Broncos successfully ran at him too often and he was unable to push the pocket on most occasions.

I think Howard is competing with Jay Alford for a roster spot. Alford didn't look great versus Denver, but he holds the edge in experience and did provide some push. Howard may not have shown enough to leapfrog Alford.  

Michael Johnson, LB

Johnson is listed as the third middle linebacker on the depth chart and didn't do much this preseason to move himself up.

He has already been released in favor of adding depth along the defensive line, and then re-signed by the club after the first week of the preseason; suggesting his second chance is one he had to make do on.

He registered one tackle this preseason, against Denver; it came on a play pursuing down the line of scrimmage to stop a run for a minimal gain; ironically, he out ran Howey to the ball.

However, I don't think Johnson has done enough in his limited playing time to maintain a roster spot, especially considering the Seahawks have a lot of fat to trim linebacker position.

John Gold, P

Jon Ryan is unlikely to lose his job as he has outkicked Gold this preseason; though, Gold's average is only 2.1 yards worse than Ryan's.

The difference lies in that Ryan has put five of his 16 punts inside the 20 with no touchbacks, while Gold has a touchback and no kicks inside the 20 in only four attempts. 

The organization will have to decide if it's worth throwing Gold out there one more time—mostly as injury prevention for Jon Ryan—or if his roster spot is too valuable and needs to be used at a position lacking depth.  

3 Players Who Deserve One More Game to Prove Their Worth

There are a couple players that I hope do not get cut going into the final game, but they could.

A quick rationale for each; note that with the turnover on the offensive line and the struggles on the first unit, I think the Seahawks should take as long as they can to evaluate all of the talent they have up front before making any final decisions.

Dorson Boyce, Fullback:

Boyce had three catches for two first downs in the second game against Minnesota. He's raw, but the Seahawks don't need him to be on the active roster. I'd be disappointed to see him go before getting one more game to show his potential as a blocker. Can he make the practice squad?

A.J. Schable, Defensive lineman:

Schable missed the second game, but he was active in games one and three; deflecting passes, pressuring the quarterback and showing a good downfield motor for a lineman. There wasn't much to go on for Schable heading into the preseason, but he has flashed the type of effort and versatility that deserves another game.

Isaiah Stanback, Wide receiver:

He flashed on special teams against Denver, but was it enough after an OK receiving effort in San Diego, where he was unable to haul in what would've been a great catch; and then not playing versus Minnesota?

He's been committed to succeeding for this team throughout the off-season of rehab and he played for "U-Dub." They may give him the chance to walk early and try to sign with another team, but it's possible he remains committed to making this roster.