Hawk Talk - Final Pre-Season Game - Position Battles

Although the Hawks, will follow most teams and strictly start backups tonight, there is reason to tune in as there are a few remaining position battles to be decided by this last pre-season performance.

“You see the disappointed looks at preseason games on young guys that haven’t had many opportunities to play. Now they get a chance to play. This is their game,” Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said. “So they’re going to be very excited. They’re playing for their dream, so it’s very important.”

The two positions to watch going into tonights game are the wide recievers and running backs, with holes left from departures of Shaun Alexander, and DJ Hackett as well as injuries to Bobby Engram and Deion Branch the Hawks will be looking hard at some youngsters not only to make this team but to contribute.

With 20 some players on the bubble tonight is a make or it break scenario: the players to watch are Justin Forsett, The Cal rookie who played behind Marshawn Lynch, is emerging as this years surprise hopefull to make the team, taken in the fifth round, he racked up 261 all-purpose yards against Chicago in the Hawks second pre-season game, and is expected to start at running back tonight as well as return both kickoffs and punts.

“Every play you have to play like it is your last in the NFL,” Forsett said. “So I am going out taking it serious and leaving no doubt that I belong here and trying to make it a tough decision for them. That is my goal for this game: go out and make plays and be productive and make no mistakes.”

The reciever battle to watch is Logan Payne vs Jordan Kent, Logan emerged the early favorite making plays in camp but has sputtered after suffering a cracked rib, while Jordan has looked good catching nine passes for 115 yards and 2 tds. My money is on Jordan to take this job, his athleticism and jumping ability that make him a great red zone option will just be too much for this coaching staff to ignore.

The other battle to watch is the kicking battle, despite injury Brandon Coutuu has kept it close with Olindo Mare, one has to emerge tonight personally i like experience over youth at the kicking positon as this player maybe asked to decide games.

“They’re two good kickers,” Holmgren said. “Coutu has been hurt a little bit and that hasn’t helped him. It allowed Mare to really show. He’s clearly got a strong leg, can kick it in the end zone, which is a good weapon. But it’s close.”

Other reasons to tune in, with the injury to Charlie Frye, Seneca Wallace will start this game though I wouldn’t expect him to play much maybe the first quarter before giving way to little used Dalton Bell. Hopefully will also see the new short yardage package with Leonard Weaver at fullback and Owen Schmidt at running back.

News and Notes

To make it the 75 man roster limit going into tonights game the following roster moves were made earlier in the week:  

Released

• CB Omare Lowe
• WR Joel Filani

Placed on PUP

• LB Will Herring

Placed on IR

• T William Robinson
• LS Tyler Schmitt

 

Also as a replacment for long snapper Tyler Schmidt who will miss the entire season the Hawks have signed veteran Jeff Robinson.

Look forward to rocking the Hawks for sportstalkbuzz.com this season and I’ll post a game re-cap after tonights game as well as keep you posted on the pending cuts.

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