CHENEY – When safety Shaunard Harts signed a contract with the Seattle Seahawks last March, the opportunities were almost too hard to believe.
Starting free safety Ken Hamlin still hadn’t been cleared to practice, and his NFL future was in serious question. Starting strong safety Michael Boulware was coming off knee surgery and wouldn’t participate in practices until training camp.
In fact, the only healthy safety on the roster was Etric Pruitt, whose struggles in Super Bowl XL made him a long shot to even make the roster.
Harts, a four-year veteran who was not on a roster during the 2005 season, was understandably thrilled to be coming to Seattle.
Fast forward a few months, and the chances of landing a starting job are all but dried up.
With Hamlin and Boulware back, along with the additions of veterans Mike Green and Oliver Celestin, the safety position now has as much competition as any group at camp.
“I can’t worry about who’s in this position and who’s in that position,” said Harts, who saw some time with the first-team defense at minicamps but is now working with the No. 3 unit. “I just have to go out every day and be me.”
More than anything else, the return of Hamlin sent the safety position in motion.
When his future was still uncertain – he suffered severe head injuries in an October altercation that left his NFL career in jeopardy – the Seahawks added three experienced veterans to serve as security blankets.
Harts signed with the team on March 7, followed by Celestin five weeks later. Still not convinced that their starting free safety would be back in time for the season, Seattle pulled a trade the week of the draft to acquire Green, who started 45 games over six seasons with the Chicago Bears.
“When I heard, I was excited,” said Green, who was acquired for a sixth-round draft pick. “I was excited about being in a different atmosphere and coming to a winning team.”
Green, 29, was expendable because the Bears were getting younger on defense. When head coach Lovie Smith joined the organization in 2004, he slowly started adding some of his own players to team with franchise stars like Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs.
“He wanted to bring in younger guys to learn the system,” Green said. “They tried out a younger guy (2005 rookie Chris Harris), and it worked out. I’m happy with where I’m at; it’s a new beginning.”
Green was originally slated as insurance for Hamlin at free safety, but he started seeing time at Boulware’s strong safety position after Hamlin received medical clearance in late April.
Boulware’s injury delayed his return to training camp, but he’s back and has been working with the No. 1 defense most of this week.
That drops the other safeties further on the depth chart, meaning guys like Harts are just trying to make the final roster cut.
“Competition brings out the best in everybody,” Harts said. “Who doesn’t like healthy competition? That helps you step your game up. It gives you a measuring stick to measure your game off of.”
The Seahawks kept four safeties for most of last season, although injuries left them with just three for the Super Bowl. Cornerback Jordan Babineaux can also play the position, so it’s realistic that Seattle might go into the season with only Hamlin, Boulware and Green on the roster.
That doesn’t worry Harts, Celestin or Pruitt. With a combined 68 games of NFL experience, the trio knows what it takes to fight for a roster spot.
“That’s something that’s happening with every team right now,” Celestin said. “There are a set number of spots, and there’s always an overload of guys competing.
“The thing about (the Seahawks) is that you can learn from each other. You know the guy across from you can give you information, and you’ll do the same. That kind of helps overall.”
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