Cyber surfing: Sunday

[News Bot]

Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, Sept. 4:
The club cut its roster from 80 players to 53 on Saturday, so that was the story du jour.
Danny O’Neil of the Seattle Times focuses on the release of veteran nose tackle Colin Cole, a starter the past two seasons after being signed in the free agency by the previous regime. Offers O’Neil: “Cole’s release was the biggest surprise of the 27 roster moves Seattle made Saturday, which underscores just how much the Seahawks’ depth has changed in a year. In 2010, Seattle was sorting through the discard pile of other teams, adding six different players who didn’t make their team’s 53-man roster in the week before the regular season began. This year, Seattle was parting ways with serviceable veterans.”
John Boyle of the Everett Herald also leads with Cole’s release. But he points out that shouldn’t have surprised anyone: “But to call Cole’s release a genuine surprise is a bit of an overstatement. Cole recently had surgery on (his) injured ankle, and has spent all of training camp on the physically unable to perform list. He was not going to be ready to start the season, and the Seahawks had already moved Brandon Mebane from his old defensive tackle spot to the nose tackle position previously occupied by Cole. Free agent addition Alan Branch, meanwhile, was signed to play in Mebane’s old spot, so Cole, even if healthy, might have been the odd man out.”
Eric Williams of the New Tribune leads with the Seahawks likely not being done reshaping their roster. Says Williams: “The Seahawks still can make waiver claims on players who have been released by other teams as they work toward cementing a final roster before practice Monday. Seattle coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider spun through 41 roster moves during their first cut-down together last year. Expect fewer moves during the next few days this season.”
Here at Seahawks.com, we focused on the continuing roster turnover since Carroll and Schneider took over in January of 2010: “Eleven rookies, including undrafted free agents Josh Portis, Doug Baldwin and Jeron Johnson. Nine second-year players, including three starters – left tackle Russell Okung, free safety Earl Thomas and strong safety Kam Chancellor. Twenty-three players who are in their first season with the Seahawks, including seven or eight starters – quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, wide receiver Sidney Rice, tight end Zach Miller, left guard Robert Gallery, right guard John Moffitt, defensive tackle Alan Branch, cornerback Brandon Browner and possibly right tackle James Carpenter. Only 10 players left from the team coach Pete Carroll inherited in January of 2010. That’s what the Seahawks were left with Saturday after making 27 roster moves to reach the NFL-mandated limit of 53 players.”
We’ve also got a closer look at the 53-man roster.
The Seahawks can begin signing players to their practice squad today, and Mike Sando at ESPN.com has a list of those eligible for all four NFC West teams from the players released yesterday. Here’s the Seahawks: DE Pierre Allen, FB Dorson Boyce, WR Chris Carter, OG Paul Fanaika, DL Maurice Fountain, DL David Howard, LB Michael Johnson, LB/DE Jameson Konz, S Mark LeGree, WR Ricardo Lockette, LB Mike Morgan, S Josh Pinkard, OT William Robinson, WR Owen Spencer, RE Vai Taua and WR Patrick Williams.
Also from Sando, an analysis of the Seahawks’ cuts. His no-brainer move: “Golden Tate’s status had drawn considerable attention in recent weeks, but the Seahawks never planned to release him. Tate came through with a strong performance in the final exhibition game, putting to rest questions about his status. Running back Justin Forsett wasn’t in danger, either, even though Leon Washington could be moving past him on the depth chart behind starter Marshawn Lynch. With Washington and Forsett sticking around, there was no room for Thomas Clayton. Undrafted rookies Josh Portis (quarterback) and Doug Baldwin (receiver) had clearly done enough to earn spots initially. Both stuck.”
Clark Judge at CBSSports.com has a preview of the Seahawks for this season. Says Judge: “The Seahawks made nearly 300 roster moves in Carroll’s first season and got younger, bigger and faster. Now, the biggest offseason change isn’t with the roster; it’s with the coaching staff. The addition of Tom Cable as offensive line coach is a plus for a franchise – and offensive line – looking for an identity. I always thought the guy brought a toughness that had been missing to Oakland, with his team playing hard for him. The addition of (Darrell) Bevell, the team’s fourth offensive coordinator in four years, means a return of Mike Holmgren’s West Coast offense – with fewer downfield throws, more timed deliveries and running backs more involved in the passing game.”
NFL.com has the lists of all the roster moves from yesterday. Including some involving ex-Seahawks: OG Mansfield Wrotto (Bills), DB Cord Parks (Vikings), LB/DE Baraka Atkins (Steelers), LB Kevin Bentley (Chargers), RB Louis Rankin (Raiders), OT Ray Willis (Dolphins) and LB Niko Koutovides (Patriots).

Source: Seahawks.com