Tuesday in Hawkville
A recap of the day’s activities:
FOCUS ON
Trades. On the day of the NFL trading deadline, the Seahawks didn’t. Make one, that is.
But general manager John Schneider and coach Pete Carroll can’t feel left out. They already had worked 13 trades, involving 16 players and 21 draft choices.
The incoming, in order: defensive end Chris Clemons (from Philadelphia); quarterback Charlie Whitehurst (from San Diego); defensive end Robert Henderson (from Detroit; since released); running back LenDale White and defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson (from Tennessee; since released); running back/kickoff returner Leon Washington (from the Jets); defensive linemen Kentwan Balmer (from San Francisco); tackle Tyler Polumbus (from Detroit); offensive lineman Stacy Andrews (from Philadelphia); and running back Marshawn Lynch (from Buffalo).
The outgoing, in order: quarterback Seneca Wallace (to Cleveland); defensive end Darryl Tapp (to Philadelphia); guard Rob Sims (to Detroit); defensive end Lawrence Jackson (to Detroit); cornerback Josh Wilson (to Baltimore); and wide receiver Deion Branch (to New England).
The club’s previous high for trades was eight, in 1977 and again in 1999.
But there was roster action today, as rookie defensive end/linebacker Chris McCoy was signed to the practice squad. McCoy (6-2, 245) was selected in the seventh round of the April NFL draft by the Miami Dolphins, but released on Sept. 4. To clear a spot on the practice squad, defensive end James Wyche was released.
That brings the number of roster moves to 219 since Carroll and Schneider were hired in January.
POSITION WATCH
Running back. In their first game as teammates since they played at Cal, Lynch and Justin Forsett shared the load in Sunday’s big win over the Bears just about as Carroll envisioned after Lynch was obtained in the trade with the Bills.
Lynch got 17 carries, while Forsett carried the ball 10 times.
“We really didn’t have a set number (of carries) in mind, but we had the approach for the personnel that we were using and we would just need to see how it worked out,” Carroll said. “It balanced out quite well and I thought Justin played really, really well.”
Forsett gained 67 yards on his 10 carries, and also graded out well as a blocker.
“Probably the best part of his game was pass protection,” Carroll said. “He had some really good one-on-one matchups with a lot of space where he really had to win and own his guy, and he did it.”
Lynch had 44 yards on his 17 carries, but some of his best efforts were getting a yard or two when it appeared he would be tackled for a loss or no gain.
“Marshawn showed us all the toughness that we really wanted to see on our team coming out of his spot,” Carroll said. “He had the harder challenges and Justin had the better opportunities and he took advantage of it.”
UP NEXT
The players will return Wednesday from having two days off to begin preparing for Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals at Qwest Field.
STAT DU JOUR
Only 11 players in NFL history have 20 sacks and 20 interceptions in their careers, and two will be on the field Sunday – Seahawks strong safety Lawyer Milloy, who picked up the 19th and 20th sacks of his career against the Bears; and Cardinals strong safety Adrian Wilson, who joined the club late last season.
Milloy enters Sunday’s game with the 20 sacks and 25 interceptions. Wilson has 21½ sacks and 25 interceptions, including one sack and two interceptions this season. Three other active players also are on the list: Broncos free safety Brian Dawkins (22 and 37), who the Seahawks faced in Week 2; Buccaneers cornerback Ronde Barber (25 and 37), who the Seahawks will face in Week 16); and Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis (37½ and 29).
Player Sacks Int.
Lawyer Milloy 20 25
Adrian Wilson 21½ 25
Ronde Barber 25 39
LeRoy Butler 20½ 38
Brian Dawkins 22 37
Donnie Edwards 23½ 28
Rodney Harrison 30½ 34
Seth Joyner 52 24
Ray Lewis 36½ 29
Wilber Marshall 45 23
William Thomas 37 27
YOU DON’T SAY
“They’ve got a guy up there (Carroll) who’s a guy you want to play for. You saw what he did over at USC. He’s a very good coach.” – Cardinals safety Matt Ware, who played at UCLA
