Seahawks thin at safety

  • By Scott M. Johnson / Herald Writer
  • Sunday, September 5, 2004 9:00pm
  • Sports

On the day that the Seattle Seahawks left 19 players looking for work, the team left itself looking for something as well.

Experienced safeties.

Cutdown day forced the Seahawks to go with just three healthy safeties, including only one – Ken Hamlin – who has played the position in an NFL game.

Veteran Damien Robinson, by far the most experienced of Seattle’s safeties, was placed on injured reserve due to a shoulder injury and will miss the entire season.

That leaves Hamlin (23 years old), Terreal Bierria (23) and Michael Boulware (22) as the only remaining safeties on the roster.

Hamlin will start at free safety, with Bierria as the starting strong safety. Bierria missed most of last season with an injury after spending his rookie year on special teams.

“You have to realize that this is Bierria’s third year coming up in the league, so he’s an experienced guy,” defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes recently said. “I think he really answered the question at the strong safety position (during training camp and the preseason).

“I thought that Hamlin did an outstanding job as far as coming in and honing in on the things that he needed to improve on.”

Robinson, who was slated to back up Hamlin at free safety this year, was the most notable player involved in Seattle’s roster moves. But he wasn’t the only veteran.

Fullback Chris Davis, who missed the entire 2003 with a left knee injury, was also placed on injured reserve following a second MRI on his right knee. He, too, will miss the season.

Among the veterans cut were offensive lineman Matt Hill, who started at right tackle against St. Louis last season, safety Walter Bernard and receiver Taco Wallace, who spent most of last season on the practice squad before getting added to the active roster in December.

Wide receiver was the most hotly-contested position, with Jerheme Urban and rookie D.J. Hackett making the roster ahead of Wallace, Jason Willis and Antoine Burns. All five players turned in impressive performances during the final preseason game, but Urban and Hackett won out in part because of their size (6-foot-3 and 6-2, respectively).

Other cuts included safety/cornerback Jordan Babineaux, defensive tackle LaWaylon Brown, linebacker Bam Hardmon, center Joey Hollenbeck, punter Donnie Jones, fullback R.J. Luke, defensive end Omar Nazel, running back Tellis Redmon, guard Jeff Roehl, defensive tackle John Schlecht, tight end Josh Whitman and cornerbacks Tony Lukins, Brad Franklin and Michael Harden.

Rookie linebacker Isaac Brown, a Washington State University product, was cut Friday.

In an unrelated move, reserve tackle Wayne Hunter was suspended for the first game of the season, meaning the team currently has only 52 players on its roster – one below the limit. Hunter’s suspension came due to a past violation of the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Hunter was arrested for fourth-degree assault on his girlfriend in July 2003.

The last roster spot will probably go to Walter Jones, who is expected to join the team sometime this week – perhaps even as early as today. When Hunter’s suspension expires next week, the team could have to make another move.

Among the players who survived the cut were backup center Dennis Norman, defensive end Anton Palepoi and rookie defensive tackle Craig Terrill. The Seahawks kept 10 defensive linemen, including Christian Mohr, who won’t count against the roster because he’s part of the international development program.

Veteran punter Tom Rouen held off a late charge from Donnie Jones to keep his roster spot.

The Seahawks can add eight players to their practice squad today, and the top candidates include Nazel, Babineaux, Wallace and Willis.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

The Edmonds-Woodway bench reacts to a foul call during the game against Shorewood on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Monday, Feb. 10

Warriors win battle of division champs.

Lake Stevens’ Kamryn Mason attempts to flip Glacier Peak’s Kyla Brown onto her back during 110-pound match at the 4A girls wrestling district tournament on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Vikings girls wrestling conquers 4A District 1 Tournament

Lake Stevens dominated with champions in six weight classes and 18 total state-qualifiers

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) smiles as head coach Nick Sirianni holds up the Lombardi trophy after they defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl LIX at Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Sunday, Feb. 9, 2025. (Timothy A. Clary / AFP / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Eagles overwhelm Chiefs to win the Super Bowl

The Philadelphia Eagles perhaps did not vanquish the Kansas… Continue reading

Coach Derek Lopez (far right) and the Lake Stevens boys' wrestling team celebrates with their championship trophy at the WIAA 4A District 1 Tournament at Jackson High School on Feb. 8, 2025.
Lake Stevens boys capture district wrestling title

The Vikings had 17 state-qualifiers; second-place Arlington led with five weight class winners

Edmonds-Woodway wrestlers react to a pin during the match against Meadowdale on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys wrestling roundup for Saturday, Feb. 8

Edmonds-Woodway boys wins Wesco 3A South wrestling title.

Kamiak’s Kai Burgess has her arm raised in the air after beating Arlington’s Jaymari O’Neal in the 125-pound match at the 4A girls wrestling district tournament on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Rebuilding Kamiak girls wrestling steps forward at District Tournament

Ki Burgess and Eden Cole each won their weight class in Friday’s WIAA District 1 Girls’ 4A Tournament

Prep basketball roundup for Saturday, Feb. 8

Tulalip Heritage boys advance to district title game.

Meadowdale’s Kyairra Roussin takes the ball to the hoop during the game against Archbishop Murphy on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep girls basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 7

Kyairra Roussin’s deep buzzer-beater lifts Meadowdale over Stanwood.

Prep boys basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 7

Lake Stevens passes Mariner in league standings to take final district slot.

Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren watches his team against Washington Sunday, November 9, 2003. (George Bridges / KRT / Tribune News Services)
No Holmgren in Hall is a travesty

The Former Seahawks coach carries a resume superior to many already in the HOF.

A Snohomish School District truck clears the parking lot at Glacier Peak High School on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (Aaron Coe / The Herald)
Inclement weather cancellations strain high school sports calendar

With state tournaments on the horizon, ADs from Wesco, Northwest and Kingco must be flexible

Gonzaga overcomes stagnant start to beat LMU

Bulldogs get ‘best of best’ play down the stretch in 73-53 win.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.