Zool
10-26-2006, 11:48 AM
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2639345
Michael Boulware lost too many gambles in pass coverage, and now the Seattle Seahawks' three-year veteran strong safety has lost his starting job.
With a defense that statistically ranks 25th against the pass and which has surrendered four completions of 40 or more yards in the past three games, the Seahawks have benched Boulware, who started in 30 straight games since 2004. Third-year veteran nickel defensive back Jordan Babineaux will move into the lineup for Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The rest of the starting secondary -- cornerbacks Marcus Trufant and Kelly Herndon and free safety Ken Hamlin -- remains intact. The demotion of Boulware, who will play now in dime situations and on special teams, is the first change the Seahawks have made in the secondary this season.
Coach Mike Holmgren did not single out Boulware as the only source of the unit's problems but allowed that the veteran safety has taken some chances that backfired and resulted in long completions. A college linebacker at Florida State, Boulware moved to safety after the Seahawks chose him in the second round of the 2004 draft and made a relatively smooth transition, as evidenced by five interceptions as a rookie.
But in recent weeks, it seems, Boulware has regressed back to his linebacker-type instincts.
"At times, in reading keys and reacting, he reacts more like a linebacker than a safety. And he has to act more like a safety," Holmgren said.
Seattle has surrendered 11 touchdown passes in six games, the fifth most in the NFL, and the Seahawks have just five interceptions. Opponents have completed 62.1 percent of their pass attempts. Last season, the Seahawks allowed only 18 touchdown passes all year and a completion rate of 58.0 percent.
Babineaux, who started four games at cornerback in 2005, has demonstrated big-play skills in brief playing time, and the Seahawks hope he will be more fundamentally sound in the middle of their secondary. A former undrafted college free agent, Babineaux has played both cornerback and safety and, in most nickel situations, he will play the former position. He registered three interceptions in 2005.
In his six starts this season, Boulware registered 24 tackles, two interceptions and four passes defensed.
"At times," Holmgren said, "he'll take a chance to make the great play. Then there are other times I don't want him to take the chance. It's like, 'Please, don't take the chance.'"
Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.
Michael Boulware lost too many gambles in pass coverage, and now the Seattle Seahawks' three-year veteran strong safety has lost his starting job.
With a defense that statistically ranks 25th against the pass and which has surrendered four completions of 40 or more yards in the past three games, the Seahawks have benched Boulware, who started in 30 straight games since 2004. Third-year veteran nickel defensive back Jordan Babineaux will move into the lineup for Sunday's game against the Kansas City Chiefs.
The rest of the starting secondary -- cornerbacks Marcus Trufant and Kelly Herndon and free safety Ken Hamlin -- remains intact. The demotion of Boulware, who will play now in dime situations and on special teams, is the first change the Seahawks have made in the secondary this season.
Coach Mike Holmgren did not single out Boulware as the only source of the unit's problems but allowed that the veteran safety has taken some chances that backfired and resulted in long completions. A college linebacker at Florida State, Boulware moved to safety after the Seahawks chose him in the second round of the 2004 draft and made a relatively smooth transition, as evidenced by five interceptions as a rookie.
But in recent weeks, it seems, Boulware has regressed back to his linebacker-type instincts.
"At times, in reading keys and reacting, he reacts more like a linebacker than a safety. And he has to act more like a safety," Holmgren said.
Seattle has surrendered 11 touchdown passes in six games, the fifth most in the NFL, and the Seahawks have just five interceptions. Opponents have completed 62.1 percent of their pass attempts. Last season, the Seahawks allowed only 18 touchdown passes all year and a completion rate of 58.0 percent.
Babineaux, who started four games at cornerback in 2005, has demonstrated big-play skills in brief playing time, and the Seahawks hope he will be more fundamentally sound in the middle of their secondary. A former undrafted college free agent, Babineaux has played both cornerback and safety and, in most nickel situations, he will play the former position. He registered three interceptions in 2005.
In his six starts this season, Boulware registered 24 tackles, two interceptions and four passes defensed.
"At times," Holmgren said, "he'll take a chance to make the great play. Then there are other times I don't want him to take the chance. It's like, 'Please, don't take the chance.'"
Len Pasquarelli is a senior NFL writer for ESPN.com.