Depth check in Green Bay

Published 10:50 pm Thursday, August 16, 2007

KIRKLAND – The Seattle Seahawks are back on the road today, looking for answers to some annual questions.

They know that Matt Hasselbeck will be the starting quarterback this season, but can No. 2 Seneca Wallace bounce back from a so-so preseason opener? And can third-stringer David Greene start looking like an NFL quarterback?

They know Shaun Alexander is fully recovered from last year’s foot injury, but is running back Leonard Weaver ready to contribute to the offense?

They know that Walter Jones will be starting at left tackle when the regular season begins, but how do Tom Ashworth and Ray Willis look at the position?

When the Seahawks play the Green Bay Packers in a preseason game at Lambeau Field on Saturday night, these are the questions they’ll be looking to answer.

“This preseason is no different than other preseasons in the fact that the spots that are most competitive are for our depth positions,” coach Mike Holmgren said. “That’s very competitive right now. In fairness to them, they have to get snaps in the preseason.”

Holmgren said that Saturday’s game, which begins at 5 p.m., will be particularly helpful in evaluating Greene. The third-year quarterback from the University of Georgia did not play in the preseason opener, and the coaching staff wants to see how Greene performs in a game.

“I would say this game is very important” for Greene, Holmgren said. “One preseason game doesn’t make the player, but Dave’s been here for a while. My expectations for David are high, so this is an important week for him.”

Ashworth and Willis will also be in the spotlight while filling in for starters Jones and Sean Locklear at tackle. Jones and Locklear could be held out of the final three preseason games so that they can heal up for the regular season.

At fullback, Weaver and starter Mack Strong appear likely to make the final roster, Holmgren said. The question is what to do with veteran Josh Parry and second-year player David Kirtman.

On defense, the Seahawks are pretty set for starters but have several position battles for backup roster spots.

Holmgren did say that some offensive starters like Alexander would see more time than they did in last week’s preseason opener but added that they were unlikely to play beyond the first quarter.

Hot under the collar: A 9-on-7 drill during Thursday’s morning practice brought out some feistiness.

At one point, linebacker Kevin Bentley and center Chris Spencer got tangled up and started pulling on each other’s facemask before teammates pulled them apart.

“I was kind of getting offended when no one was getting in a fight” during the first 19 days of camp, Alexander said. “I was like, man, I might have to go out there and throw some blows.

“I think it’s needed to have intensity out there. Guys get tired of blocking the same people. I think it’s a good thing.”

A few minutes later, during the same drill, rookie guard Mansfield Wrotto got poked in the eye and could not continue. He was scheduled to undergo medical tests, and his status for Saturday’s game was unknown as of thursday afternoon.

Staying home: Holmgren said that seven players would stay behind to rest injuries.

Jones (shoulder), Locklear (knee), wide receiver Courtney Taylor (knee), linebacker Leroy Hill (hamstring), defensive back Jordan Babineaux (knee) and tight ends Will Heller (ankle) and Leonard Stephens (ankle) are not expected to make the trip to Green Bay today.

Optimistic Shaun: Alexander continues to set high standards for the 2007 season.

He said Thursday that he believes he can match the personal statistics that he had during his MVP season in 2005, and he said that season’s team success was also a realistic goal.

“I have a better feeling about this team than any other team in Seahawk history,” he said. “I tell people it’s always talent, coaching, chemistry and health. … We’ve got the first three already.”

Kick returner: Holmgren said that Nate Burleson was likely to be the return man on both punts and kickoffs this season. Burleson was being challenged by rookie Josh Wilson and second-year player Ben Obomanu.

Quick slants: Defensive tackle Rocky Bernard rested a sore knee on Wednesday but was back at full strength for Thursday’s practice.