Camp competitions

[Harlan Huckleby]

I think new guys coming get some publicity, and everybody wants to believe that they are better than players already on the roster. Some examples where I expect the players may be close in ability, and hope for a fair competition:

Manuel & Roman

Hodge & Manning

Fergie & Gardner

[Patler]

Re: Camp competitions

I think new guys coming get some publicity, and everybody wants to believe that they are better than players already on the roster. Some examples where I expect the players may be close in ability, and hope for a fair competition:

Manuel & Roman

Hodge & Manning

Fergie & Gardner

Methinks HH merely attempts to stir the pot!

[Harlan Huckleby]

no, I'm quite sincere. Roman beat-out Manuel for a starting job when they were both at Cincinnatti. Manuel has mostly been a backup in the NFL. They are of similar pedigree.

I have high hopes for Hodge, but Manning was a good rookie, and players often make a jump in their second year. They were similar players in the Big Ten. Well, Manning went undrafted. But I am open-minded to him being a real player.

Fergie versus Gardner is certainly an open question, Gardner has not caught fire with any team yet.

[Murphy37]

no, I'm quite sincere. Roman beat-out Manuel for a starting job when they were both at Cincinnatti. Manuel has mostly been a backup in the NFL. They are of similar pedigree.

I have high hopes for Hodge, but Manning was a good rookie, and players often make a jump in their second year. They were similar players in the Big Ten. Well, Manning went undrafted. But I am open-minded to him being a real player.

Fergie versus Gardner is certainly an open question, Gardner has not caught fire with any team yet.

A friend of mine's flannel underware caught fire when he was lighting farts once. Lint is highly flammable.

[Patler]

I kind of look at Roman and Manuel as two similar players who have gone in opposite directions the last two years. Not necessarily by a lot, but tending that way. The more I read about the situation, I think TT realized he needs a "coach on the field" type of safety, and Manuel seems to be that. If their abilities are similar, I think Manuel wins because of that, and that may be all there is.


Gardner has had seasons of 46, 71, 59 and 51 catches until last year with just 13. Ferguson's have been 0, 22,38, 24 and 27. As receivers I don't think it is close. Their careers both started in 2001. Gardner has 240 rec. for 3148 yards. Ferguson is 111 for 1546. Even with last year, Gardner's average far exceeds Fergusons best year. All Gardner has to do is be the receiver he was in Washington the first four years, and I think he beats Ferguson easily.

Manning and Hodge could be interesting. Manning only started one year at Michigan. I thought he looked good early last year in spot duty, but then flamed out as the year progressed. Hodge had a much more impressive college career than Manning, but there is the question of whether he can duplicate that in the pros, and if his lack of size will be a drawback.

[wist43]

HH, of those position battles listed, I like the newcomer over the mainstay better in every case.

Gardner may have put up better numbers over his career than Fergie, but he is a long strider, and isn't necessarily a good fit for the system... In a different system, I think he beats Fergie out easily, but in the WC, it'll be an interesting battle.

I like Manuel over Roman only b/c of his physicality... I like tough safties, and Manuel fits that bill better.

I like Manning, but I think Hodge is one hell of a player and will be very surprised if he's not starting at some point this year. Everybody knocks Hodge for his lack of size, but he's essentially the same size as #9 pick Ernie Sims - and for my money, he's maybe the toughest pound for pound guy in this draft.

To me, the most interesting battles will be for the 2 open OL spots - assuming Colledge locks down LG. At this point, I'd prefer to see Coston and Spitz win those spots; but, the Packers have Wells running with the #1 unit at this point.

[Murphy37]

What about Woodson/Carrol? Ok calm down, Woodson should win that position. Does this guarantee Carrol the Nickel spot? Once again, probably. But D-back is a position to watch in the next few years. Woodson and Harris are going to get old fast. Carrol has shown great footspeed and coverage ability, but terrible ball play. Who else is gonna step up?

O-guard is still the most interesting battle to me. Colledge, Wells, and Coston penciled in at starters does not put me at ease, it makes me want to wet myself. There better be some competition for these guys, or our depth is gonna be awful.

[HarveyWallbangers]

no, I'm quite sincere. Roman beat-out Manuel for a starting job when they were both at Cincinnatti. Manuel has mostly been a backup in the NFL. They are of similar pedigree.

Similar pedigree--except that Manuel played better last year after replacing Hamlin than Roman has ever played. His injury in the Super Bowl was a killer for the Seahawks. Manuel may not be the answer, but I don't think it matters than Roman was better 3-4 years ago in Cincinnati. Maybe Manuel has worked to be a better player--while Roman worries too much about competition. I trust in Ted Thompson on this one. He's seen Mark Roman in the better of his two years here, and he felt like Manuel is an upgrade. He should know since he's seen a lot of Manuel and brought him to Seattle.

[RashanGary]

I like Manuel, Fergi, Hodge as well.

It could be Garnder though. You never know. At least he catches the ball. I wish we could put Jennings skills on Fergs body. We'd have something there.

[Guiness]

I don't think you can consider the time Manual and Roman crossed paths in Cincy. Manuel was in his first and second seasons in the league, Roman in his 3rd and 4th. Big developmental difference at that point, IMO.

I think everyone would like to see Manuel make it, because that means the position will be upgraded. We know what Roman will bring - same as last year, middle of the road play.

Gardner vs Ferg is interesting. I think Gardner has to make it as a #2, or he's gone. If they're battling for #4, Ferg gets the nod because of his ST play. So it's not really Gardner vs Ferg, it's Gardner vs everyone else to see if he can be a starter.

Personally, I think there will be two interesting camp battles:

The aforementioned OL - Coston vs Spits vs Klemm vs Whitt

RB - Gado, Green, Davenport and Leach
I think Davenport is going to make a run at starter with Gado and Green. If he doesn't, he might knock off Leach for the second FB spot.

IMO the only one who has his spot locked up in this crew is Hendo.

[The Leaper]

What? No battle royale over who will win the punter's job?

[the_idle_threat]

Naw, Ingle Martin has the punting job sewn up.

[wist43]

Carroll is the nickel back... period. There will be no competition for a starting corner job.

He only gets his starting spot back one of three ways:

1) Thru injury
2) Harris' production falls off b/c he loses what little speed he had
3) Woodson pouts his way on to the bench as the losses mount

To tell you the truth, any one of those three is very possible... To start the season, however, it's Harris and Woodson starting at the corners.

[jack's smirking revenge]

Carroll is the nickel back... period. There will be no competition for a starting corner job.

He only gets his starting spot back one of three ways:

1) Thru injury
2) Harris' production falls off b/c he loses what little speed he had
3) Woodson pouts his way on to the bench as the losses mount

To tell you the truth, any one of those three is very possible... To start the season, however, it's Harris and Woodson starting at the corners.

I'm in full agreement. Gotta put the money men (Harris and Woodson) at the corners, for better or for worse. And Carroll is a nickelback. Maybe he'll learn something from Woodson and from the demotion and be a different player. Guess we'll see on passing downs.



tyler

[Tony Oday]

Gado starts at RB
Gardner has a 60 catch season
Donald Lee has a 40 catch season
Wells solidifies the center of the offensive line
Manuel leads the secondary to shut down the passing game
cant run against Barnett, Hawk, Pickett and Kamp

I love this offseason I bet we are 10-6