Why would the Seahawks consider the KPL to IR Option?

Earlier today I posted my final prediction for the Seahawks 53-man roster and mentioned an alternative that would send Kevin Pierre-Louis to Injured Reserve, which would free up an extra roster spot.  Why would SEA do this?  Allow me to go down the GM rabbit hole a bit.

KJ Wright, Malcolm Smith, and Mike Morgan are free agents next year.  I believe KJ will be extended, but Smith and Morgan will be allowed to leave.  Morgan would be an RFA, but I don't feel he's valuable enough to lock down to a long term deal.

KPL will be expected to take over Smith's role nest season, but who will fill Morgan's role as a core special teamer who can play multiple LB spots?  The Seahawks could very well draft another LB to take over that role, but why not fill it this year with Korey Toomer?  Now, I'll admit that I'm a Toomer fan.  He didn't look out of his league the other night playing SAM linebacker and moving over to WILL after KPL was injured.  I believe Toomer has 4 years of eligibility as does KPL.

It seems highly likely that KPL would be claimed on waivers, so that takes away that option.  Toomer could possibly slip through waivers and has PS eligibility, but is it necessary to take that risk?  KPL only plays the WILL position currently and won't be expected to contribute much outside special teams.  I think it would be beneficial to all parties to use KPL's "injury" as a way to red-shirt him for this season.  The fact that Toomer can play both SAM and WILL along with special teams would help SEA in a pinch.  Since Morgan will be gone next year, why not find a way to keep 2 young, cheap linebackers that have club control for multiple years?

Final 2014 53-man Roster Prediction

Well, it's time for me to make my predictions for the final roster that will surely come true (pshaw, and monkeys might fly out of my butt!).  I'll preface this by saying that I think there will be some waiver wire pickups or trades to complete the final roster.  Therefore, I may cheat by putting in a placeholder spot.  I'll explain a few variations that I feel are possible at the end, but let's get this show on the road.

QB (2):

• Russell Wilson
• Tarvaris Jackson

This one is set in stone.  Terrelle is already reportedly being released.  I think BJ Daniels is a great candidate for the practice squad, however I wouldn't be surprised if another team picks him up.

RB/FB (4):

• Marshawn Lynch
• Robert Turbin
• Christine Michael
• Derrick Coleman

Kiero Small is the other player being released so far according to media reports.  I think SEA will save a roster spot here unless C-Mike's hamstring injury is significant.  Coleman can also double as a running back in a pinch.  I like either Bronson or Ware for the practice squad.

WR (6):

• Percy Harvin
• Doug Baldwin
• Jermaine Kearse
• Paul Richardson
• Kevin Norwood
• Ricardo Lockette

The biggest question here is the health of Norwood.  I think he's too valuable to try and stash on IR  if he can actually contribute this year.  If they choose the IR route, then Walters may make the squad.  Bates could spend another year on the PS with the new eligibility and may be good to keep around in case of injuries.

TE (3):

• Zach Miller
• Luke Willson
• *Waiver Wire/Trade Pickup*

The first two spots are set, but the third is up for debate.  I think there will be names available that are more talented than Helfet, plus he has an injury.  Presley and Allen are candidates for the PS.

OL (9):

• Russell Okung
• James Carpenter
• Max Unger
• JR Sweezy
• Justin Britt
• Alvin Bailey
• Lemuel JeanPierre
• Gary Gilliam
• Caylin Hauptmann

Here's the first minor surprise.  I think SEA eschews Winston in favor of Gilliam because of the positional diversity proven by Bailey.  Hauptmann seems to be first in line as a backup guard.  Gilliam would a PS candidate, but I don't think SEA would risk the waiver wire after the Bowie debacle.

DL (9):

• Michael Bennett
• Cliff Avril
• Brandon Mebane
• Tony McDaniel
• Kevin Williams
• O'Brien Schofield
• Jordan Hill
• Greg Scruggs
• Cassius Marsh

Mayowa was clearly outplayed by Schofield in the preseason and would be a PS candidate.  However, I wouldn't be surprised if a team like JAX picks him up.

LB (8):

• Bobby Wagner
• KJ Wright
• Malcolm Smith
• Bruce Irvin
• Brock Coyle
• Mike Morgan
• Kevin Pierre Louis
• Korey Toomer

Second mini surprise with SEA keeping 8 linebackers.  Morgan can step in at LEO and is a core special teamer.  Toomer flashed to me the other night and seemingly could play LEO as well.  He played both SAM and WILL against OAK which is good versatility.  The main question here is the health of KPL.  He could be an IR candidate for a red-shirt year...

CB (5):

• Richard Sherman
• Byron Maxwell
• Jeremy Lane
• Tharold Simon
• *Waiver Wire/Trade Pickup*

The only question is the 5th spot.  I don't think Auguste nor Adams really warrants that spot, but I could see Auguste as a PS candidate.  Additionally, Shead played a lot of CB against OAK and could be an option to save another roster spot.

S (4):

• Earl Thomas
• Kam Chancellor
• Jeron Johnson
• Deshawn Shead

Easy choices here.  I think Terrance Parks deserves a spot on the PS too,

ST (3):

• Steven Hauschka
• Jon Ryan
• Clint Gresham

No questions about these guys.

So, that's my attempt at the final roster.  As I mentioned, I wouldn't be surprised if a few variations happened, such as sending KPL to IR.  That would open up a spot that could be filled by an extra OL like Winston.  I'm sure this will be wrong, but oh well.  Go Hawks!

First Impressions: Preseason Week 3 vs. Chicago

Here are some things I noticed while watching last night's throttling of the Bears.

Offense:

• Dominant.  RW, Percy, C-Mike, and Kearse all stood out.  If they play like this in the regular season they'll be tough to stop.
• I thought Britt played pretty well and continues to develop.  He had the cut-block penalty and was beaten on the sack of Russell by Willie Young (though he came from the opposite side beating Okung).  Overall though, I didn't notice him too much which is a good thing.
• Marshawn only got one series but he looked fantastic.  It'll be hard to take carries away from him once again this  year.
• Luke Willson seems like he'll have a pretty big season, probably more receptions and yards than Zach Miller.  However, he needs to make that catch in the back of the endzone.  Yes, Russell hung him out to dry a bit, but it was still very catchable.
• The WR corps is better than last year and I don't even think it's close.

Defense:

• O'Brien Schofield is playing like he did prior to his ACL injury at Wisconsin.  Dude is flat out ballin'.  
• Byron Maxwell is still very good at knocking the ball away which will be critical this year since many teams will avoid Sherman's side.
• Jeremy Lane looks more than capable in the slot.
• Cliff Avril is going to get a lot of sacks this year.
• Overall, the backup D-Line didn't have as much penetration as I hoped.  Marsh and Mayowa got in each other's way a few times on stunts.  Jordan Hill wasn't noticeable (which isn't good).  Scruggs got some good penetration, but it allowed Clausen to scramble up the middle for a first down.  The D-Line depth will not be as good as last year (at least right away).

Special Teams:

• Percy Harvin will house more than one kickoff this season and I wouldn't be surprised to see Earl take one all the way.
• Hausch Money is worth the $$$
• Does Jon Ryan even have to show up to the games anymore?

Roster Battles:

The game last night made a few things clear to me:

• If the Seahawks elect to keep 6 WRs, Lockette will be the choice.  Bates just doesn't show up during games and Lockette is becoming extremely valuable on special teams.
• Mayowa is going to be cut.  I'm not sure what's up with him, but he just doesn't look explosive at all.  Schofield is clearly better at this point.  Maybe Mayowa ends up on the PS.
• Terrelle Pryor will be a 49er.  And if he plays he'll throw 4 INTs against us.  He's talented, but not a good enough passer to be worth a roster spot.  Lockette is a better choice.  
• Mike Morgan is your last LB roster spot.  Toomer only played sparingly last night which was surprising.  Did he tweak is hammy or is the coaching staff trying to hide him and get him back for the PS?  
• Jackson Jeffcoat is a terrible SAM linebacker, but flashed as a pass rusher.  I'd almost rather have him on the PS as a developmental LEO than Mayowa at this point.

There, I've rambled enough for this post..  Overall, the Seahawks clicked in all three phases of the game and looked dominant.  I'm pleased.

Watch List: Preseason Week 3 vs. Chicago

The third preseason game, generally regarded as a dress rehearsal for the regular season, is upon us.  Here are a few players or positional units I'll be looking closely at.

Offense:

• O-Line
• Now that Okung and Unger will get playing time, how will the line look as a whole?  Can Justin Britt keep improving?
• Ricardo Lockette vs. Phil Bates
• Which one of these receivers deserves the 6th spot, if SEA chooses to keep one?
• Christine Michael vs. Robert Turbin
• Can C-Mike hold onto the football and be impressive enough to get some carries away from Turbo during the regular season?

Defense:

• D-Line Rotation
• Particularly the role players like Scruggs, Hill, Mayowa, Marsh, etc.  Which of these guys will step up and show pass-rush ability for the Nickel package?
• Korey Toomer
• Can he make enough plays to warrant a roster spot in place of Mike Morgan?
• Deshawn Shead
• He's not in jeopardy of getting cut, but I can't say I've been very impressed with him at either CB or S this preseason.  He needs to start playing better.
• All of the backup CBs
• Kind of a cop-out pick, but who will step up behind Sherman, Maxwell, and Lane?

I'm sure we'll see a great game tonight from the Seahawks and I'll have a quick reaction post in the coming days.  Go Hawks!

Can Korey Toomer make this team?

Yesterday brought news that both Malcolm Smith and Korey Toomer returned to practice in a limited capacity for the Seahawks.  Both will hopefully play in the preseason game against Chicago on Friday night.  Smith is a known quantity and will surely be on the 53 man roster this season.  Toomer, on the other hand, is an enigma.

Toomer is an uber-athlete who has unfortunately been bitten by the injury bug over the past few seasons.  He's over 6' 2", weighs 234 and ran a 4.53 forty.  His short shuttle time was an impressive 4.0 and he registered an explosive 42" vertical jump.  This guy is a potential playmaker at either SAM or WILL.

Unfortunately, that word "potential" is the key.  Korey wasn't available for training camp last year and the year on the non-football injury portion of injured reserve.  This year, he tore up OTAs and was regularly singled out by coaches and players as being ready to step into an important role with the Seahawks.  Then, Toomer suffered a hamstring strain that has caused him to miss all of training camp up to this point.  He still has 2 preseason games to show whether he belongs on the final roster and I imagine he will play extensively.

Toomer will need to show up on special teams in order to secure a spot.  During OTAs, I remember reading that Korey was on the 1st string for the main special teams groups.  We don't really know what he can do on the defensive side, so these preseason games are truly pivotal for him.  Any spot on the roster would come at the expense of Mike Morgan.

Personally, I'm not a huge fan of Morgan, but he's not a liability either.  With Toomer being on the NFI list, he still has 4 years of club control at a cheap price compared to 2 for Morgan.  I'm really pulling for Korey and hope he balls out and makes the roster.  If he doesn't, there's a chance we could still sneak him through waivers...but I wouldn't bet on it with Gus down in JAX.

Introduction

My name is Ted and I'm a Seattle Seahawks fan living in Packer country.  As such, I can only get my Seahawks fix online and need to actively search it out.  My family is gracious enough to listen to my banter, but they're not really invested in it.  Hence, the creation of this blog.

This is meant to be a blog where I can jot down my Seattle Seahawk-related ramblings.  It's really an outlet for me to get some thoughts down and share them instead of talking to myself!  If anyone ends up actually reading and enjoying it that's just icing on the cake.  My goal is to update this somewhat regularly during the season.

Side note, if any readers aren't currently vising Fieldgulls, Seahawksdraftblog, or Hawkblogger please right that wrong straightaway.  Those are my go-to sites, and I'll probably reference them in future posts.  Feel free to comment on any of my thoughts...I hope to make this an open forum to talk about anything Seahawks!

Thanks in advance for reading,

Ted