As the Seahawks hold their first OTA (Organized Team Activity) that is open to the media on Thursday, here are five more players of intrigue.
The first Seahawks’ OTA (Organized Team Activity) of the year that is open to the media is on tap later today. Earlier this week I wrote about five things to watch.
Here are five players I’m also specifically curious about as OTAs begin.
DB Brandon Browner: A founding member of the Legion of Boom, he was re-signed to a one-year, $760,000 contract. Coach Pete Carroll has said Browner will have sort of a hybrid role playing safety and matching up against tight ends and bigger receivers. ESPN 710’s Brock Huard made a compelling point earlier this week that OTAs could be critical for Browner to show that he has the physical abilities to handle such a role (no contact is allowed during OTAs, but speed and reaction can be judged). It will also simply be interesting to see how he fits in.
C Justin Britt: The third-year OL is being moved now to center after playing last year at left guard and in 2014 at right tackle. There appears to be every expectation that he can win the center job and make it his own. Line play can be tough to judge in no-contact settings such as OTAs. But maybe the ost important of a center — making the line calls and working with the QBs to set protections — can be assessed (not so much by us in the media, but by the coaches).
Most Read Sports Stories
LBs Mike Morgan and Cassius Marsh: Right now, those two appear to be the leaders for the strongside linebacking role. Morgan started two games at that spot last season when Bruce Irvin was injured. But Marsh is being tried there now after playing primarily on the defensive line his first two seasons and a role requiring him to play in space more could be a better fit for his skills (he intrigued the team with some of his plays in a late-season win against Minnesota and on special teams).
DE Chris Clemons: Like Browner, another vet brought back on a one-year, inexpensive deal and expected to have more of a specialty role now, as a situational pass rusher. While line play can be tough to judge, the speed and movement off the line for edge rushers is something coaches can assess.
RB Christine Michael: Michael re-emerged late last season due in part to added maturity and what he said was a new-found appreciation for what he had with the Seahawks. But the running back competition has again gotten fierce with the addition of three draft picks and Michael’s spot on the roster is far from guaranteed. He’ll need to continue to show during the off-season that the transformation of late last season is a lasting one.