SB Nation - C.J. Wallace

Arizona Cardinals Fly Around the NFC West: Roster Move Addition

Hawkwind — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 15:56:31 -0000

about 1 month ago: St. Louis Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo, left, is congratulated by linebackers coach Paul Ferraro after beating the Detroit Lions 17-10 in an NFL football game in Detroit, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2009. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

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The Arizona Cardinals weren't the only team in the NFC West that made some roster moves this week, but even mid-season roster moves aren't the lead story this week. First it's worth mentioning that the Cardinals will make one more roster move in the upcoming couple of days because the Bengals have signed fullback Fui Vakanpuna off the Cardinals practice squad. It'll be interesting to see who the Cardinals sign to fill the vacant practice squad spot.

St. Louis Rams: Normally we list the teams in order of division standings but when a team breaks a 17 game losing streak, they deserve some recognition. It had literally been 378 days since the Rams last won a regular season game and Steven Jackson (149 yards rushing) did most of the heavy lifting against the equally hapless Lions. Despite the win the Rams still have major questions at quarterback and some are starting to think that Marc Bulger's career is very near the end. One bright spot, outside of Jackson of course, is the development of the offensive line though, especially first round pick Jason Smith. The Rams also made a roster move, releasing wide receiver Tim Carter and signing cornerback Danny Gorrer.

San Francisco 49ers: The Niners lost a game to the Colts that was closer than just about everyone expected (18-14) but the Niners aren't waving the "moral victory" flag either. Not only does this loss push their current losing streak to three but they also lost three significant starters during the game. Joe Staley (MCL and PCL strain) is expected to miss six weeks, Nate Clements (fractured scapula) is expected to miss six to eight weeks and Demetric Evans (AC sprain) is expected to miss at least three weeks. These injuries forced the Niners to make a couple of moves, signing cornerback Keith Smith (formerly of the Lions) and releasing seldom used wide receiver Michael Spurlock. Their also expected to make at least one more roster move (possibly pulling up an OT from their practice squad). Considering that Sunday's game was Alex Smith's first start since 2007, here's also a complete breakdown of his peformance and Niner's fans have also determined that the NFC West will come down to a dog fight (we can still say "dog fight" right?) between their team and the Cards.

Seattle Seahawks: Following thier second consecutive lopsided loss, which dropped them to 2-5, the Seahawks seem to be cleaining house. In the past two days they've made nine roster moves including the release of veteran running back Edgerrin James. Also included in the released/cut department include Travis Fisher and C.J. Wallace. New to the 53 man roster will be Mike Hass (WR), Roy Lewis (CB) and Jamar Adams (S), all of whom were on their practice squad. Filling thier now vacant practice squad spots will be Trae Williams (CB), DeAngelo Willingham (CB) and Devin Moore (RB). Needless to say roster cleaning like this is indicative of a team that has given up on any hopes of competing this season and moving on with the hopes of allowing younger players to grow during the remaining nine games. One interesting thought is that some Hawks fans are wondering if it's time to pass the torch from Matt Hasselbeck to Seneca Wallace (part I and II). Needless to say we're watching the demise of the Hawks and it could turn into quite a show over the next couple of seasons.

NFC West Standings

	W	L	PF	PA
Arizona	4	3	157	143
San Francisco	3	4	147	140
Seattle	2	5	135	147
St. Louis	1	7	77	221

(updated 11.3.2009 at 3:44 AM CST)

The Seattle Seahawks New 53 Man Roster

John Morgan — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:43:56 -0000

More photos » by Chris Park - AP

One of these guys is Mike Hass.

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Enough action happens at the fringe of Seattle's roster that I could fill a day's worth of posts just about Louis Rankin and C.J. Wallace. I don't. A time comes when enough moves have piled up that the aggregate is newsworthy. That time is today - so says I.

Seattle released C.J. Wallace and signed Jamar Adams. Wallace has long since expended his practice squad eligibility, and after watching the Hawks return teams get burned again and again, Wallace has finally ended his job as special teams ace. I doubt this move is an indictment of Wallace's special teams play, though he hasn't recorded a tackle since week 3, as much as it's a forced move towards the future. Consider this the Seahawks blowing up their roster with firecrackers. Adams is a far better safety talent than Wallace and with Lawyer Milloy all covered in cobwebs and cast in sepia tones, could see action this season.

I like Adams talent but I haven't liked his play. Louis Rankin played his himself into a Seattle homecoming, but his talent fails to tantalize. Rankin is tall and thin and reportedly was timed at 4.55 in the forty. He underperformed for most of his college career and then broke out as a senior. Rankin fills the Seahawks need for a Husky, but short of a surprising late career break out, and don't be mistaken, as young as he is, Rankin is already late into his professional career, Rankin is little more than roster fodder with hope tagged on like tiny post it notes. "For Sunday: Don't screw up."

Mike Hass is back, entering the gangsta rap phase of his professional career. He wants to taste your nectar, he does.

Seattle also added Roy Lewis. You might be better off reading this. Lewis was a standout at University of Washington when the standards for standout was standing without assistance.

The team filled out its practice squad with tiny, kinda speed back Devin Moore - we all remember him -, a corner named Trae Williams I know little about, and DeAngelo Willingham. Willingham has by the best set of tools of the bunch and may be transitioned to safety.

Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers Thursday Injury Report

John Morgan — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 23:46:17 -0000

Walter Jones and Deion Branch practiced today, but Brandon Mebane, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Lofa Tatupu did not. Game status has not been revealed. Seattle might be very banged up. It could be resting key players. The new coaching staff seems very protective of its talent, and it wouldn't surprise me if Houshmandzadeh and Mebane not practicing is a precautionary move. Nevertheless, Seattle absolutely cannot afford to lose either. If Mebane can't play, let us hope Jim Mora has the good sense to start Red Bryant and not Craig Terrill.



Practice Report
	Did Not Participate In Practice
	Thursday	LB Ahmad Brooks (knee)

	Limited Participation in Practice
	Thursday

	Full Participation in Practice
	Thursday	G David Baas (biceps), DT Aubrayo Franklin (shin), CB Marcus Hudson (knee), WR Brandon Jones (shoulder), G Chilo Rachal (neck), DE Justin Smith (elbow), DE Isaac Sopoaga (shoulder)



Practice Report
	Out (Definitely Will Not Play)
	Thursday	LB LeRoy Hill (groin)

	Did Not Participate In Practice
	Thursday	WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (back spasms), DT Brandon Mebane, C Chris Spencer (quadricep), LB Lofa Tatupu (hamstring)
	Limited Participation In Practice
	Thursday	WR Deion Branch (hamstring), CB Travis Fisher (hamstring), T Walter Jones (knee)

	Full Participation in Practice
	Wednesday	S C.J. Wallace (rib)

49ers-Seahawks Thursday Injury Report

Fooch — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 23:10:30 -0000

Fooch's Update: Was just notified that Brandon Mebane did not practice today either. If he sits out this Sunday (no guarantee obviously), that would certainly be a plus for the 49ers offense.

The only big changes today for the 49ers is that Marcus Hudson and Justin Smith were full participants in practice. Over on the Seahawks side of things Houshmandzadeh continues to sit out practice, so we'll see if there's any kind of rust on him this Sunday, assuming he plays. I'm guessing he'll be out there, but you never know. Also, Deion Branch got in some practice time today, so that could bode well for him this weekend. He sat out against the Rams but did not practice all week, so for him this is an improvement.

One interesting note for the 49ers is that Brandon Jones was a full participant in practice again. He was expected to miss all of September, but it looks like he'll be back much sooner than that. Jimmy Raye was asked after practice about Jones's availability for Sunday:

He started back to practice. He looked like a guy who has missed six weeks of practice to me. He’s got to get back up to speed and get in some shape physically. Be in position to be able to interval run routes at full speed, and that will take whatever conditioning level he’s at now, that will take a little bit of time. And, when he’s ready and we think he can go full speed, then we’ll involve him in what we’re doing.

That sounds to me like Jones will be inactive this Sunday. If they did activate him over Jason Hill that would definitely tell us even more about Hill's status with the team.

49ers
Did not Participate in Practice
LB Ahmad Brooks - Knee

Full Participation in Practice
G David Baas - Biceps
DT Aubrayo Franklin - Shin
WR Brandon Jones - Shoulder
G Chilo Rachal - Neck
DE Isaac Sopoaga - Shoulder
CB Marcus Hudson - Knee
DE Justin Smith - Elbow

Seahawks
Out
LB Leroy Hill - Groin

Did not Participate in Practice
WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh - Back Spasms
C Chris Spencer - Quadricep
LB Lofa Tatupu - Hamstring
Late Addition: DT Brandon Mebane - Calf

Limited Participation in Practice
WR Deion Branch - Hamstring
CB Travis Fisher - Hamstring
OT Walter Jones - Quadricep

Full Participation in Practice
S C.J. Wallace - Ribs

Wednesday Seahawks and 49ers Injury Report

John Morgan — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 01:37:59 -0000

This was forwarded to me. It is sent out from the team's PR department. I've gotten a taste of this stuff recently. I had heretofore thought someone actually collected and verified this information, but it's essentially a press release.



Practice Report
	Did Not Participate In Practice
	Wednesday	LB Ahmad Brooks (knee), DE Justin Smith (elbow)

	Limited Participation in Practice
	Wednesday	CB Marcus Hudson (knee)

	Full Participation in Practice
	Wednesday	G David Baas (biceps), DT Aubrayo Franklin (shin), WR Brandon Jones (shoulder), G Chilo Rachal (neck), DE Isaac Sopoaga (shoulder)



Practice Report
	Out (Definitely Will Not Play)
	Wednesday	LB LeRoy Hill (groin)

	Did Not Participate In Practice
	Wednesday	WR Deion Branch (hamstring), CB Travis Fisher (hamstring), WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (back spasms), T Walter Jones (knee), C Chris Spencer (quadricep), LB Lofa Tatupu (hamstring)

	Full Participation in Practice
	Wednesday	S C.J. Wallace (rib)

You read that right. T.J. Houshmandzadeh has back spasms. And hamstring injuries are the new black in Seahawks camp.

49ers-Seahawks Wednesday Injury Report

Fooch — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 23:51:22 -0000

We return with our first injury report of week 2. The 49ers face a Seahawks squad that was decimated by injuries in 2008 and isn't exactly off to a roaring start on the injury front in 2009.

49ers
Did not Participate in Practice
LB Ahmad Brooks - Knee
DE Justin Smith - Elbow

Limited Participation in Practice
CB Marcus Hudson - Knee

Full Participation in Practice
G David Baas - Biceps
DT Aubrayo Franklin - Shin
WR Brandon Jones - Shoulder
G Chilo Rachal - Neck
DE Isaac Sopoaga - Shoulder

Seahawks
Did not Participate in Practice
LB LeRoy Hill - Groin

Limited Participation in Practice
WR Deion Branch - Hamstring
CB Travis Fisher - Hamstring
WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh - Back Spasms
OT Walter Jones - Quadricep
LB Lofa Tatupu - Hamstring

Full Participation in Practice
S C.J. Wallace - Ribs

The most notable 49er on the injury report is Justin Smith. However, Barrows is reporting that it was a precautionary measure and Smith is expected to play on Sunday. It's good to see Brandon Jones getting a full day of practice in, although he was wearing the "don't touch him" black jersey, so we can't be too sure. Once Jones is healthy, Jason Hill seemingly falls even further down the depth chart. He was inactive last Sunday behind Micheal Spurlock, so what's going to get him ahead of Spurlock AND Jones?

As for the Seahawks, it looks like they're starting to get some guys back. Branch was limited last week and ended up not playing so we'll see. Houshmandzadeh is a guy who ends up as probable/questionable all the time and ends up playing so I'm assuming he's in. Walter Jones is definitely an interesting one to keep an eye on though.

San Francisco 49ers vs. Seattle Seahawks: A Prospector's Guide

Fooch — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 15:00:19 -0000

vs.

And we're back with the latest edition of the Prospector's Guide. This week features the division rival Seattle Seahawks in an early battle for NFC West supremacy. The winner of this game will occupy sole possession of first place for at least one week and get a 2-0 leg up in divisional play. Both teams struggled last year, and are looking to return to form. At this point I'd say the pressure is on the 49ers as the home team. It's essential to hold serve at home. If the 49ers can do that they're guaranteed no worse than a 4-2 divisional record.

The 49ers host the Seahawks in what will be the 21st contest between the two teams in the series, dating back to 1976. The Seahawks hold an 11-9 advantage over the 49ers, with the teams having split the series in 2008. The last meeting between the two teams marked Mike Singletary’s debut as the 49ers head coach.

San Francisco is coming off a 20-16 victory over the Cardinals in the season opener. RB Frank Gore recorded both a rushing touchdown and receiving score for the first time in his career, while QB Shaun Hill posted a 89.3 passer rating. LB Patrick Willis led the team in tackles and recorded an interception that led to a 49ers field goal. San Francisco’s defense limited Arizona to just 40 rushing yards and 29% on third down conversions.

The 49ers have won five of their last six games, dating back to 2008. With a win last week, Hill improves his career record as a starter to 8-3, which includes a perfect 5-0 record when playing at home.

49ers-~~Cardinals~~ Seahawks Connections
Coaches
• 49ers offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye coached alongside Seahawks offensive line coach Mike Solari with the Kansas City Chiefs from 1998 – 2005. Both served in the same capacity for the Chiefs.
• 49ers quarterbacks coach Mike Johnson coached for the Atlanta Falcons with Seahawks head coach Jim Mora and offensive coordinator Greg Knapp from 2004-05.
• 49ers tight ends coach Pete Hoener coached with Seahawks strength and conditioning coach Mike Clark at Texas A&M.
• Head Coach Jim Mora, a native of Los Angeles, CA, coached for the 49ers from 1997-03, coaching the secondary from 1997-98 and serving as defensive coordinator from 1999-03 ... Offensive coordinator Greg Knapp served as the 49ers quality control/offense (1995-97), quarterbacks coach (1998-00) and offensive coordinator from 2001-03 ... Special teams coach Bruce Dehaven served in the same capacity for the 49ers from 2000-02 ... Defensive coordinator John Marshall coached for the 49ers from 1989-98, coaching the defensive line from 1989-93, the linebackers from 1994-96 and as defensive coordinator from 1997-98 ... Offensive assistant/assistant special teams coach Chris Beake coached for the 49ers in the same position on defense in 1999, as a defensive assistant from 2000-02 and as an offensive assistant in 2003 ... Offensive line coach Mike Solari was the tight ends/assistant offensive line coach for the 49ers from 1992-1996.

Players
49ERS-WASHINGTON CONNECTIONS: WR Jason Hill attended Washington State ... DB Dashon Goldson attended the University of Washington.

SEAHAWKS NOR CAL CONNECTIONS - S C.J. Wallace is a native of Sacramento, CA ... RB Justin Forsett played at UC-Berkeley.

PLAYERS: 49ers LB Patrick Willis played at Mississippi with Seahawks C Chris Spencer. 49ers RB Frank Gore played at Miami with Seahawks CB Kelly Jennings.

Series Highlights
Matchups: 20
Series Record: Seahawks lead series 11-9
49ers Home Record vs. Seahawks: Seahawks lead series 3-6
First Meeting: 9/26/76, 49ers win, 37-21, at Seattle
Last Meeting: 10/26/08, Seahawks win, 34-13, at San Francisco
Current Streak: Lost 1
Longest 49ers Win Streak: 3 (11/25/85-12/8/91)
Longest Seahawks Win Streak: 6 (10/12/03 | 12/11/05)
Most 49ers Points: 38 (9/25/88): 38-7, at Seattle
Most Seahawks Points: 42 (11/7/04), 42-27 at San Francisco
49ers Shutouts: None
Seahawks Shutouts: Two Times: Last (11/12/07), 24-0 at Seattle 1-0

SEATTLE 34, SAN FRANCISCO 13
At San Francisco, CA, October 26, 2008

The Seahawks beat the 49ers on two fullback swing passes that went for TDs and also returned an INT for a score in a 34-13 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Mike Singletary’s debut as head coach. Seattle CB Josh Wilson scored on a 75-yard INT return, and Seattle FB Leonard Weaver scored on TD passes of 43 and 62 yards to give the 49ers their fifth straight loss. QB J.T. O’Sullivan lost a fumble early in the game and then threw the INT that was returned for a TD before being replaced by backup QB Shaun Hill at the end of the first half. Both of his turnovers happened inside Seattle territory.

Down 3-0 early in the game, O’Sullivan connected with TE Delanie Walker for a 53-yard gain to the Seattle 21-yard line. The 49ers moved to the 6-yard line when O’Sullivan fumbled on a sack. The ball was recovered by DE Patrick Kerney, who raced to the San Francisco 27-yard line to set up a Seahawks FG and a 6-0 first quarter lead. The Seahawks extended their lead to 13-0 early in the second quarter before the 49ers answered with a FG to make it 13-3 midway through the second quarter. The 49ers were driving inside Seattle territory and were faced with a 4th-and-4 situation from the 29-yard line with 44 seconds to play in the first half. With two time outs remaining the 49ers elected to try to convert on fourth-down, but O’Sullivan’s pass was picked off and returned for a TD to make it 20-6 at the break.

Hill completed 15 of 23 attempts for 173 yards with one TD in relief. On his first drive in the second half, he took the team on a 14-play, 56-yard drive that ended in a 40-yard FG to close the gap to 20-6. On the ensuing series, Seattle QB Seneca Wallace completed a short pass to Weaver that resulted in a 43-yard TD to put the Seahawks in front, 27-6, heading into the final quarter. A two-yard TD pass from Hill to WR Jason Hill closed the gap to 27-13 early in the fourth quarter, but Weaver sealed the Seattle win with a 62-yard TD on a swing pass from Wallace with six minutes to play for a 34-13 win.

2009 Statistics

49ERS (rank)		SEAHAWKS (rank)
1-0 (t-1st NFCW)	Record	1-0 (t-1st NFCW)
20.0 (t-16th)	Points per game	28.0 (6th)
203.0 (29th)	Total Offense	446.0 (6th)
21.0 (32nd)	Rushing Offense	167.0 (6th)
182.0 (22nd)	Passing Offense	279.0 (7th)
31:37 (t-13th)	Possession Avg	32:27 (12th)
16.0 (12th)	Points allowed/gm	0.0 (1st)
299.0 (15th)	Total Defense	247.0 (8th)
40.0 (6th)	Rushing Defense	77.0 (t-12th)
259.0 (22nd)	Passing Defense	170.0 (9th)
3 (t-9th)	Sacks	3 (t-9th)
49.1 (9th)	Punting Avg (Gross)	53.2 (4th)
+1 (t-8th)	Turnover Differential	-2 (t-26th)

Rams at Seattle, week 1 injury report

VanRam — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 13:01:06 -0000

Here's the injury report for the St. Louis Rams week one opener at the Seattle Seahawks, pieced together from official reports and a few good Google searches. Keep your fingers crossed, knock on wood, all that stuff because right now, the Rams are looking like a pretty healthy bunch. Remember, that's the key to their season, staying healthy. According to Football Outsiders 2009 Almanac, the Rams should see significant improvement as injury is unlikely to take as big of a toll as it has the last three years. Of course, the same goes for the Seahawks, but they're starting the season without several important players.

St. Louis Rams

S Craig Dahl (Hamstring)	OUT
OG John Greco (hand)	OUT
LB Larry Grant (knee)	QUESTIONABLE

Comment: I'm still shocked at how thin the injury report is for the Rams. Of course, I am leaving off the IR guys which includes Adam Carriker and Brooks Foster. Grant was not expected to play this week, but his recovery has been faster than expected. With the unceremonious release of Chris Draft this week, getting Grant in there at SLB with David Vobora, today's starter, would help the Rams since Grant gives them a nice blitzer.

Seattle Seahawks

OT Walter Jones (shoulder)	OUT
WR Deion Branch (hamstring)	OUT
C Chris Spencer (Quadricep)	OUT
CB Marcus Trufant (back)	OUT, PUP list
CB Travis Fisher (hamstring)	QUESTIONABLE
DE Derek Walker (hamstring)	DOUBTFUL
S C.J. Wallace (ribs)	DOUBTFUL

Comment: Those are some glaring injuries on their offensive line. Those much-talked about blitz packages will be key for the Rams to take advantage of Jones' absence and get Hasselbeck off his game early. I'm not 100% as to whether Branch is out or not. It's been trending that way. Without or with Branch, Seattle doesn't have a WR that demands double coverage the way Ochcocinco did in Cincy, which should change the way Housmanzadeh experiences the field.

St. Louis Rams at Seattle Seahawks Injury Report

John Morgan — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 23:10:37 -0000

More photos » by Lenny Ignelzi - AP

C.J. Wallace, face mask lodged in Darren Sproles back, is not likely to play this Sunday. His injury and the injury of Travis Fisher leaves Seattle thin in the secondary and thin at special teams.

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The NFL has released the official injury report for Sunday's Seahawks game at Qwest Field.

St. Louis Rams at Seattle Seahawks
Name	Position	Injury	Practice Status	Game Status
St. Louis Rams
Craig Dahl	S	Hamstring	Out (Definitely Will Not Play)	Out
John Greco	T	Wrist	Out (Definitely Will Not Play)	Out
Larry Grant	LB	Knee	Limited Participation in Practice	Questionable
Marc Bulger	QB	right Finger	Full Participation in Practice	Probable
Seattle Seahawks
Walter Jones	T	Knee	Out (Definitely Will Not Play)	Out
Chris Spencer	C	Quadricep	Out (Definitely Will Not Play)	Out
Travis Fisher	CB	Hamstring	Did Not Participate In Practice	Doubtful
Derek Walker	DE	Hamstring	Did Not Participate In Practice	Doubtful
Deion Branch	WR	Hamstring	Did Not Participate In Practice	Questionable
C.J. Wallace	S	Rib	Did Not Participate In Practice	Questionable

Marc Bulger headlines the Rams injuries. Probable means St. Louis projects a 25% chance Bulger will not play. Craig Dahl is depth and was not likely to contribute. John Greco is also depth, but is listed at guard on the Rams depth chart. Larry Grant's injury and the recent release of Chris Draft have thrust David Vobora, the last man selected in the 2008 draft, into starting at strongside linebacker. Vobora is an undersized tackler that tackles too far from the line of scrimmage. He was active in special teams and recorded a tackle for a loss and a sack in the preseason. The Seahawks need their lead blockers to get up to Vobora and shove him out of the play.

Deion Branch has missed three straight practices with a hamstring injury and is 50-50 to play on Sunday. Derek Walker is likely to be deactivated, so his injury is of no concern. I doubt C.J. Wallace will play. That and the injury to Travis Fisher leaves Seattle thin in the secondary and thin at special teams. Nick Reed could be activated to bolster the special teams. If Fisher can't play, Seattle will be barred from a true Dime defense. I, for one, think Will Herring should pick up snaps in obvious passing downs.

Seahawks Face the Bad Part of a Good Problem (Part 2: Staying Lean at Safety)

John Morgan — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 20:29:47 -0000

by Ted S. Warren - AP

Seattle's front seven provided consistent pressure, but its second-string secondary was torn to shreds. The starters, minus Marcus Trufant, might not be relatively better.

View full size photo »

Seattle can handle its superabundance of defensive linemen by running lean at another position and leaning on its starters. If it does, it should do so at safety. Starters Brian Russell and Deon Grant are fixtures, and have combined to miss four games in their last 240. They were each involved in over 99% percent of Seattle's defensive snaps. Russell and Grant defy depth.

Seattle could then shift Jordan Babineaux temporarily to dime back and cut C.J. Wallace. Wallace is Seattle's top gunner and proven to be an asset on special teams, but as commodity, because of his limitations as a safety, recent injuries and low upside, a non-asset on the open market. Seattle could temporarily cut Wallace and re-sign him when its roster has stabilized. Wallace is a local product and the team will suffer some rebuke from the Steve Kelleys of the world, but as a local kid he's likely to refuse offers from other teams should they come and give reporters in the know the wink and nod that says "I'll be back."

That would leave Seattle paper thin at safety. It would have its starters and an overstressed Babineaux. It would also have Jamar Adams and Courtney Greene on the practice squad. With Wallace hanging around, there's a shadow depth that makes this move tenable.

The Seahawks would then take their defensive line depth into the regular season and let time simplify their decision making. Depth will be reduced by injuries. Other teams will suffer injuries and become more open to trades. Players like Nick Reed and Michael Bennett that dominated the preseason could be exposed against regular season competition. That might facilitate a move to the practice squad. When Marcus Trufant returns, Babineaux can move back to primary safety depth and Kelly Jennings to dimeback. It is better for Seattle to retain its best talent and risk losing Wallace than to cut a defensive lineman just because it has too many.

This plan still has its hitches. Dropping Wallace will be unpopular and weaken what last season was a weak coverage unit. Should Russell or Grant be injured, especially a routine injury that will only keep them from a few games, Seattle then must cut someone. And without the luxury of time or flexibility. The Seahawks corners are weak and thin. Wilson is a better nickel corner, Ken Lucas a solid but not foundational starting cornerback and Kelly Jennings is anything from steady but unimpressive to an abject liability. Babineaux is a safety. The best move might be the most active. Seattle could turn its depth into a regular, a regular at a position of need like offensive line and cornerback.