Seattle Seahawks: 4 Moves They Should Have Made, but Didn't

The Seahawks front office was active after 53-man cuts, making four changes to the active roster and churning through players before deciding on an eight-man practice squad.

Seattle is now down to 10 members from the team Pete Carroll and John Schneider inherited before the 2010 season. They have become a younger group, one the front office feels strongly about going forward.

Though Seattle made many sound decisions, there are four moves they didn't make that could backfire in the end. 

Put Defensive Lineman Pierre Allen on IR

The undrafted rookie out of Nebraska played in only one preseason game, but registered a strip-sack that helped set up Seattle's victory to open the preseason.

Allen's versatility, an undersized 5-technique tackle capable of playing inside, made him an intriguing prospect for the defensive scheme. But given the fact that he played only one preseason game, it's reasonable that the team didn't keep him on the 53-man roster.

Allen was "injured/waived" and is no longer a member of the organization. In 2010, Jameson Konz suffered a season-ending hip injury in training camp; they waived him, but ultimately re-signed him and he ended up on IR for the season.

The Seahawks could do something similar with Allen. We really haven't seen enough of him to know his true potential, but he was a tough player in college and his experience in Nebraska's versatile defensive scheme lends reason to believe he could be valuable for Seattle. Allen is a player they could develop in the future.  

Keep Offensive Lineman Mike Gibson

Since Seattle signed Gibson off of the Philadelphia Eagles practice squad in 2009, he has become a "veteran" offensive lineman that can play all three interior spots, even tackle, in a pinch.

He was cut and re-signed in 2010, finally finding a home in the starting lineup replacing Stacy Andrews in Week 15; Seattle's running game improved heading into the postseason. 

As a tough, hard-working lineman he provided sure depth for Seattle's young line; his mentality and versatility were thought to be enough to make up for his undersized frame—Tom Cable liking bigger linemen.

Gibson's release was shocking to most, especially given his attitude in the trenches. Add in the fact that Seattle already faced legitimate injury concerns along the frontline in the preseason, the release of Gibson becomes even more puzzling.

Gibson lost the backup center spot to Lemuel Jeanpierre and undrafted rookie tackle Jarriel King may have taken his roster spot.

Obviously the Seahawks don't see Gibson in their future. But given the youth and questions along the line, Seattle may regret releasing a versatile, tough backup lineman. 

Cut Defensive End Dexter Davis

The 2010 seventh-round pick registered a sack in the 2010 home opener and was a factor early in the year, but wasn't involved much for the remainder of the season.

He was in and out of the lineup with a hip injury in the 2011 preseason and registered one tackle in two games. With Jimmy Wilkerson on IR, the Seahawks need the 6'1", 244-pound Davis to pick up the slack as a rotational pass-rusher from the "Leo" position.

But given the injury to Wilkerson and Davis' ineffectiveness this preseason, the case could be made the Seahawks need to use their final defensive line spot for a bigger, more versatile player; a Raheem Brock-sized rusher—6'4", 274—who can pressure from the edge, but also kick inside on passing downs. Pep Levingston—now on the practice squad—and Maurice Fountain flashed a strong motor and potential during the preseason.

John Schneider praised Davis' "God-given ability to rush the passer" at the combine this past February. His praise opened many eyes and also raised the expectations for Davis. He needs to flash those abilities soon, or the reasoning behind his roster spot will remain unclear.

Sign Fullback Mike Karney

Karney wanted to come to Seattle , the rumor being for a one-year contract and would have fit as the mobile blocker the Seahawks are lacking with John Carlson out of the season.

The Seahawks front office likes fullback Michael Robinson because of his versatility, but he is not a true blocking fullback. Plus, Karney doesn't demand touches and if he did touch the ball, it could catch the defense off guard.

The Seahawks may not have room on the game-day roster for two fullbacks, but signing Karney and placing him on the 53-man roster instead of an offensive lineman or another young player is a decision worth exploring.

It's possible the Seahawks know Karney is working out and waiting for their phone call. Jameson Konz is listed on the practice squad roster as a tight end, the experiment on defense appearing finished.

Whether or not they decide to elevate him before signing a player like Karney is unknown, but it's also possible the Seahawks are testing their depth on the 53-man roster before making a final decision—or they are waiting to sign him as an injury replacement.

Regardless, if the Seahawks' backfield blocking is lackluster, Seattle may regret not signing Karney.