One More Chance
The Countdown Is On – Game 1 Is In 17 Days – September 9th, 2012
1:25PM PT - University of Phoenix Stadium
When the Seattle Seahawks take on the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday night, it will be the last game for 15 guys to show why they belong, before the rosters are trimmed to 75 on Monday afternoon.
Some guys in the following piece may not be bubble players, but they need to show why the fans and front office should want them.
1. Sidney Rice
Sidney Rice is playing his first NFL game since late November of 2011, and is coming off of a season ended short by a concussion and an off season with two shoulder surgeries.
When Rice signed a 5 year, 41 million dollar deal last off season, it was highly criticized because of his injury prone career.
He looked outstanding in the games he played and showed that he is a number one receiver when healthy. Seahawk fans are nervous that he won’t be able to justify the contract.
Friday night is step one for Sidney Rice.
2. Russell Wilson
It’s not a do well or you’re gone situation for Russell Wilson. Far from it, in fact. But it has become common knowledge/speculation that if he performs well on Friday, in one of the toughest environments in the NFL, against a stout defense, the starting quarterback job is his.
He has shown a capability to move the ball well, albeit against third and fourth stringers.
If he can show the capability to do that against a team’s number one defense, and stick in the pocket longer, it’s his job to lose.
Read my notes on the QB competition from yesterday.
Clik here to view.
Will Friday’s game challenge Matt Flynn? Will it motivate him more? How will he respond to the change from Coach Carroll? (photo keprtv.com)
3. Matt Flynn
Same as Russell Wilson, Matt Flynn’s job isn’t on the line, but his chances at starting in the NFL (for now) could be. He needs to match or one up Russell Wilson’s performance on Friday night to stay in the competition.
I’m a big believer in rookie’s sitting for a year at the least before starting, so I’m going to be cheering extra hard for Flynn when he takes the field in the second half.
4. Terrell Owens
The first bubble guy on this list, and the most high profile. After being targeted five times last weekend in Denver, and catching zero, Terrell Owens‘ job and his last chance in the NFL is almost gone. He ran the wrong route four times and dropped a touchdown for the fifth.
Mike Florio and the gang at Pro Football Talk are even getting in on it:
Report: T.O. is a complainer, has uphill battle to make the Seahawks wp.me/p14QSB-4HQB
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) August 23, 2012
With a deep receiving core, Terrell Owen’s game has to be as loud as him tomorrow.
5. Jeremy Lane
Rookie cornerback Jeremy Lane has been the draft pick that has impressed me the least this preseason.
With a bubble group consisting of fellow rookie Winston Guy as well as Phillip Adams, Coye Francies, Ron Parker and Byron Maxwell, Lane needs to do something this week to seperate himself from the pack.
He is an ideal size for a corner back in this defense (6’0″ 190lbs) but hasn’t used his frame to his advantage thus far.
This could be his last weekend as a Seahawk if he doesn’t impress. (It’s possible he gets on the PS since he’s a draft pick)
Kickoff is at 5 p.m. Pacific Time tomorrow at Arrowhead Stadium, make sure to stay tuned as there is a lot of exciting storylines to follow in this game.
And of course stay tuned to NWSportsBeat.com for post game coverage!