The preseason is coming to an end, and as NFL teams around the league finalize their rosters, dreams of players come crashing down, but they all know that it's just part of the business.
For the Seattle Seahawks, they have some tough cuts to make at some key positions. There are some key position battles for some back up spots and as O-Line coach Tom Cable said Tuesday, he feels "really confident" about the progress they have made.
At the running back position, things could get interesting. Robert Turbin reportedly has a high ankle sprain that could keep him out a bit. In response to that, the Seahawks have brought in Fred Jackson for a physical with a deal very likely as both sides have mutual interest. Christine Michael or Thomas Rawls could be on the chopping block at that spot for a backup role.
The secondary is also another position with some battles. Keenan Lambert, Tye Smith, Ryan Murphy and Mohammed Seisay are all guys that could help this team in the LOB, but some guys just have to be cut.
Without further adieu, this is how this author sees the 53-man roster shaking out:
Note: Players are not in any particular order
Offense:
QB: Russell Wilson, Tavaris Jackson
RB: Marshawn Lynch, Robert Turbin, Thomas Rawls
WR: Doug Baldwin, Jermaine Kearse, Ricardo Lockette, Tyler Lockett, Chris Matthews, B.J. Daniels
Tight End: Jimmy Graham, Luke Willson, Cooper Helfet
Offensive Line: Russell Okung, Justin Britt, Drew Nowak, Patrick Lewis, J.R. Sweezy, Garry Gilliam, Alvin Bailey, Terry Poole, Patrick Lewis, Mark Glowinski
Defense:
DE: Michael Bennett, Cliff Avril, Frank Clark, Cassius Marsh, Demarcus Dobbs
DT: Brandon Mebane, Ahtyba Rubin, Jimmy King, Jordan Hill, Jesse Williams
OLB: Bruce Irvin, K.J. Wright, Kevin Pierre-Louis, Mike Morgan
MLB: Bobby Wagner, Brock Coyle
CB: Richard Sherman, Marcus Burley, Cary Williams, Tharold Simon, Tye Smith, Will Blackmon
SS: Dion Bailey, DeShawn Shead
FS: Earl Thomas III, Steven Terrell
Special Teams:
K: Steven Hauschka
P: Jon Ryan
LS: Clint Gresham
A few moves on the defensive side of the ball will count on whether Earl Thomas is ready for week 1 or if Kam Chancellor decides to end his holdout and report to the Seahawks. Even if he does report soon, it will most likely take him a week or so to get acclimated back into football shape and he will most likely not be ready for Seattle's week one game at St. Louis.
We'll see what GM John Schneider and head coach Pete Carroll decide as the season is upon us.