The Seattle Seahawks will officially open the preseason Saturday Night (6 pm) at Allegiant Stadium against the Las Vegas Raiders. The first of the Hawk’s three preseason games is sure to set a tone for the remaining two games.
CORNER BATTLE
Cornerbacks Tre Flowers and Ahkello Witherspoon have been battling for starting spots since the beginning of training camp. With both assured plenty of playing time can either one has a chance to create some separation in the battle for their perspective positions. Witherspoon has been starting on the left side while Flowers has been on the right side. Battling Flowers is DJ Reed who started two games at left cornerback then switched to the right where he started the last five games including the playoff loss to the Rams. Reed is yet to practice meaning he won’t play on Saturday.
Also in the mix at right cornerback is Pierre Desir an eight-year off-season pick-up. A good game against the Raiders by Desir could put some heavy heat on Flowers and Reed. Rookie Tre Brown is another player who can play himself into the starting conversation with a decent game against the Raiders. At the moment Brown is battling Witherspoon and former UW Husky Jordan Miller .
NICKLE BATTLE
Ugo Amadi and Marquis Blair is another heated defensive competition. The two are battling for the nickel position which in the Seahawks defense means a starting role. This competition however will not be decided in one or three-season games. Both players have shown glimpses of greatness and must now show the coaching staff they can perform on a day in day out. Blair started the 2020 season as the starter but his dreams were dashed in Week 2 when he suffered a torn ACL.
Amadi wasted no time in seizing the moment and promptly Started four of 14 games played and recorded a career-high 49 tackles and finished fifth on the team with seven passes defends. Blair has a sore knee and will not play on Saturday night. The absence of Blair opens the door for rookie Aashari Crosswell.
OFFENSIVE LINE
With Duane Brown sitting out contact drills and head coach Pete Carroll on the record saying that Brown will not participate in the preseason rookie Stone Forsythe will get the start at left tackle. All eyes will be on the 6-8 307 pound former Seminole to see how he handles the pressure. Look for Forsythe to play with the first and second unit with Jarmaco Jones also hobbled
BACKFIELD QUESTIONS
With Chris, Carson set as the starting tailback it had been somewhat of a given that a Rashaad Penny would be the number two back. The operative two words are a healthy Penny. With Penny seeing limited practice time the last week the door has opened for Alex Collins to show that if called upon he can be an able back up to Carson. The first step for Collins will be to have a solid game on Saturday. DeeJay Dallas will also be looking to impress the coaches and show that his rookie health issues are behind him and like Collins, he can be a solid contributor behind Carson.
WIDE RECEIVER
Cody Thompson and Aaron Fuller have both had stellar camps to date. Saturday will provide an opportunity for them to leave an impression. Thompson has been a special team contributor the last three years and aims to get more reps on offense as the fourth receiver behind DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, and Penny Hart. A solid preseason could catapult Thompson ahead of Hart who has seen limited action in practice.
INJURY UPDATES
Carroll had just one somber note to an otherwise positive tune regarding the team injury status for Saturday and next week. The one somber note was regarding tight end Colby Parkinson.
On the positive side rookie D’Wayne Eskridge, running backs Travis Homer, Rashaad Penny Hart, Marquis Blair should all be back in training next week.
UP NEXT FULL PETE CARROLL TRANSCRIPT
Discover more from Cascadiasports.net
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
