On the heels of Monday’s preseason loss to Dallas, the Seattle Seahawks could return to work today with a couple extra bodies, but without another.
The Seahawks officially gave up on defensive tackle Cedric Woodard, who started 28 games over the past two seasons, by placing him on waivers Tuesday.
Woodard has been hobbled all summer after undergoing offseason knee surgery. He took part in just one practice during training camp.
The good news is that the Seahawks might have two defensive starters back on the field: outside linebacker D.D. Lewis and free safety Ken Hamlin.
Lewis has been out since the end of July, when he suffered a concussion during the first day of contact at training camp. Hamlin has been practicing for almost two weeks after missing time due to shoulder surgery, but he has yet to play in a preseason game.
Their additions would be welcome to a defense that has been plagued by nagging injuries.
“We’ve been looking forward to getting them back,” reserve linebacker Isaiah Kacyvenski said. “They’ll both be big additions for us.”
Seattle’s defense has shown signs of progress this summer, despite the missing bodies. Guys like defensive tackles Marcus Tubbs and Chartric Darby have performed so well that Woodard was made expendable.
The 27-year old had been a starter for each of the past two seasons and he hasn’t missed an NFL game due to injury since coming into the league in 2000.
“Injuries are a part of the game, and you just have to play through it,” Woodard said after taking part in the Aug. 14 practice. “If a guy can’t make it through, somebody else has to step up. That’s just the way it is.”
Woodard signed a five-year, $15 million contract before the 2004 season and was scheduled to make $1.7 million in 2005. He will count $3.2 million against the cap over the next four seasons.
Seattle’s other starting defensive tackle from 2004, Rashad Moore, is trying to come back from shoulder surgery. He hasn’t practice since the first week of training camp.
Even without some of its key components, Seattle’s defense has shown signs of promise. The Seahawks gave up just one touchdown in the 18-10 loss to Dallas, but it’s still far too early to tell how this team might jell.
“We’ve still got to work on our communication and work on our tackling,” cornerback Kelly Herndon said after Monday’s game. “But as far as us getting together and flying to the ball, that showed (Monday).”
The Seahawks jelled early last season, ranking first in the NFL in defense after four weeks. But after giving up averages of 4.3 points and 242.3 yards in the first three games of 2004 (Seattle moved to the top of the NFL during its Week 4 bye), the Seahawks gave up 27.7 and 376.4, respectively, over the final 13.
“We had something special going last year, and we let it slip through our hands,” strong safety Michael Boulware said. “We’re getting another shot at it this year. We’ve got some key (new) guys that are coming in to help us out, so hopefully if we get in that situation again, the outcome will be in our favor.”
Canadian star cut: Also released Tuesday was rookie running back Jesse Lumsden, who was Canada’s college player of the year last fall. Lumsden was slowed by a hip injury that kept him out of both preseason games.
Seattle signed running back/return man Josh Scobey to take Lumsden’s roster spot. Scobey is expected to challenge Maurice Morris, Jerome Pathon and Marquis Weeks for a kick return role that is still up for grabs.
Scobey was cut by Arizona after spending his first three NFL seasons with the Cardinals. The 25-year-old Kansas State product has averaged 22.9 yards per kickoff return, with one touchdown.
No time: The Seahawks have just two practice days before heading to Kansas City for Saturday’s preseason game against the Chiefs.
Tuesday was a routine, post-game off day for the players, while Friday is a travel day. That means the only two practices will be held this afternoon and Thursday.
Saturday’s game has added importance in that the first cutdown deadline is next Tuesday. Seattle currently has 90 players, but has to get down to 75 (65, plus the 10 NFL Europe exemptions) in the days after the game. Because the Seahawks play on Saturday, they are likely to make cuts on Sunday or Monday.
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