5 Seattle Seahawks Veterans Who Won’t Make the 53-Man Roster
Who won't make the Seahawks' roster?
The Seattle Seahawks have a ton a talent, which is almost always a good problem to have when you are talking about the rigors of the NFL. However, that doesn’t make roster decisions any easier, particularly when there are players that still have the talent and drive to make a noteworthy contribution. This may be the year that the Seahawks make a magical run to the Super Bowl, which means that every roster cut will be a tough choice.
Unfortunately for veteran players, the NFL is not a sentimental league. Good players lose their jobs every summer. This means that veterans players get cut every single year, even though they have given their blood, sweat and tears for a number of seasons. For better or for worse, this is the business of professional football.
Seattle is still one of the younger teams in the league. The term “veteran” has to be defined with a little more latitude when it comes to the Seahawks, because the current roster only has 16 players with more than five years of experience. There is only one player (Antoine Winfield) with more than 10.
Projecting the last few cuts on a talented team like the Seahawks can be very difficult. There are no absolute rules on how many players of one position a team will keep. Every squad is a little bit different. Therefore, the following projections may turn out to be absolutely wrong. You have been warned.
Here are five Seattle Seahawks veterans who won’t (may not) make the 53-man roster.
Todd Pheifer covers the Seattle Seahawks for Rant Sports. Follow him on Twitter @tpheifer, “Like” him on Facebook and add him to your network on Google+.
Brady Quinn
For a moment there, it looked like the backup quarterback role was Brady Quinn’s to lose. Then the Seahawks went out and signed former starter Tarvaris Jackson. Can you say, “Pete Carroll likes position battles?”
Despite being in the league for a few years, Quinn is hardly a player with an impressive list of accomplishments. Jackson is not a dominant player either, but he has a better familiarity with the Seattle system, coaches and players. Therefore, the former member of the Buffalo Bills may have the inside track on the backup QB position.
Granted, there are still time to make this decision. Each quarterback will have their shot.
Michael Robinson
This is where it starts to get extremely tough. Michael Robinson has been a great fullback for the last few years, and has developed a solid rapport with bruising running back Marshawn Lynch. That said, Seattle did draft Spencer Ware, who may be the heir apparent to Robinson.
Would Seattle keep two fullbacks? Probably not. If the ‘Hawks cut Robinson, it will be because of age and salary. It won’t be because Robinson is no longer effective. This may be one of those brutal football decisions that benefits the youngsters.
Heath Farwell
Every team loves to have a guy who sells out and gives his all, particularly on special teams. Heath Farwell has been one of those guys for the last couple of seasons, but all good things must come to an end.
Farwell is now 31, and he has never been a full-time linebacker. Do you keep an aging backup with a valuable, but somewhat limited role? On a stacked team like Seattle, there may be no room for Farwell.
Paul McQuistan
Ready for harder choices? Someone has to go on the offensive line. Right now there are too many bodies, and there will only be a limited number of chairs when the music stops.
As late as July 1, there was talk about how valuable Paul McQuistan is on the offensive line. Again, Seattle will be faced with a difficult decision. Do they go with the savvy veteran that costs more, or continue the youth movement? Much may depend on the health and effectiveness of James Carpenter, who has struggled to stay on the field.
Clint McDonald
This may be the toughest cut simply because the roster is not stacked with veterans, and some areas of depth are going to be crucial. When it comes to the defensive line, there are players like Clint McDonald, who has five years of experience but is not exactly going to be a starter.
He, along with a veteran like Tony McDaniel, could lose their jobs if youngsters like Jordan Hill and Jesse Williams step up and show that they are ready for the NFL. Otherwise, McDonald may live to tackle another day in a Seattle uniform.
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