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  4. title => "Fann Mail: What to make of Seahawks RB Rashaad Penny's slow start in preseason"
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  6. article_body => "<p>It\u2019s hard to determine how much each preseason game impacts looming roster decisions. The Seattle Seahawks lost to the Minnesota Vikings last Sunday, 25-19, and we were left with more questions than answers. In this week\u2019s mailbag, we dive into some of those unknowns facing Seattle with two games left in the preseason.<\/p>\n<p>As always, thanks to those who asked questions.<\/p>\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Rashad Penny is not looking explosive or really very good. Is he playing injured?<\/p>&mdash; Bryce Conine (@Rumbles82) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Rumbles82\/status\/1163850727564779520?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 20, 2019<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n<p>There hasn\u2019t been any report to suggest Rashaad Penny is nursing any sort of injury. But you\u2019re right. To say he\u2019s been ineffective through two preseason games would be putting it mildly. Penny has just 13 yards on 12 carries. There haven\u2019t been many running lanes to speak of, but Penny hasn\u2019t shown much burst or make-you-miss ability, either. I\u2019m not one to overreact to what happens during the preseason. He may be poised for a breakout sophomore campaign.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ve got to block for him better,\u201d Carroll said regarding Penny on Sunday. \u201cHe didn\u2019t have a chance.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Even so, I\u2019m seeing a guy fall further behind Chris Carson, who has established himself as Seattle\u2019s clear No. 1 option. Seattle is going to give their 2018 first-round every opportunity to show himself. Penny will get touches \u2013 maybe even up to 10 a game. It\u2019s understandable, though, why fans feel like they aren\u2019t seeing enough from the second-year running back just yet.<\/p>\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Odds of Ursua making the team? Have you heard anything on how he\u2019s performing? If coaches like him etc?<\/p>&mdash; leif leifsen (@LeifsenLeif) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/LeifsenLeif\/status\/1163935281344655360?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 20, 2019<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n<p>I think John Ursua is good enough to make the team and I think he\u2019s got a chance to make the team, but ultimately I don\u2019t think he will. Ursua has just two receptions in the preseason \u2013 a 21-yarder against the Denver Broncos and a 25-yarder against Minnesota \u2013 but he showed impressive run after the catch ability on both.<\/p>\n<p>Ursua is simply falling victim to the numbers game. I\u2019m of the belief that Jazz Ferguson will make the team (more on that in a second), and I\u2019m also betting that Seattle keeps Jaron Brown around. If I\u2019m wrong about either of those things, then Ursua would be the next in line for a roster spot.<\/p>\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Is Jazz Ferguson making the team? If not, what are the chances he lands in the practice squad and stays - safe from another team picking him up?<\/p>&mdash; Establish the Russ (@am_misfit) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/am_misfit\/status\/1163926707893501952?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 20, 2019<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n<p>Ferguson failed to put together an encore to his standout preseason debut against Denver. After catching all four of his targets for 54 yards and a touchdown versus the Broncos, Ferguson secured just 2-of-7 targets for 24 yards and a fumble in Minnesota. To his credit, the fumble was a fantastic play by the defensive back, and several of his targets were uncatchable. Paxton Lynch struggled to get on the same page with any receiver on Sunday.<\/p>\n<p>As I mentioned above, I\u2019m still anticipating Ferguson will make the team. The fact remains that 6-foot-5 receivers with 4.45 jets don\u2019t grow on trees, and Ferguson has shown enough to take a chance on. His ceiling is much higher and harder to find than Ursua\u2019s. I also think the Seahawks have a much better chance of sneaking Ursua onto their practice squad. If Seattle opts to cut Ferguson, another team is likely to claim the big-bodied lottery ticket.<\/p>\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">How many cathches for Moore this year? Thanks!<\/p>&mdash; Tyler Negrini (@TylerNegrini) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TylerNegrini\/status\/1163919816371126273?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 20, 2019<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n<p>I\u2019m having a really hard time projecting what kind of year David Moore is going to have in 2019. He seems to be behind DK Metcalf when the rookie is healthy. On Sunday, Jaron Brown also played with the first-team offense over Moore.<\/p>\n<p>Moore did some good things as a rookie, finishing with 26 receptions for 445 yards and five touchdowns in 2018. But he disappeared down the stretch (just four catches for 32 yards over the final five weeks) and has been quiet overall during training camp. I\u2019d be cautious about predicting much more than the 53 targets he saw last season. I think it\u2019ll be in the same ballpark in 2019 unless Metcalf misses significant time.<\/p>\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\"><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Joe_Fann?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">@Joe_Fann<\/a> do you see Seattle making a trade for Edge\/D-lone help before week 1?<\/p>&mdash; Charles Mcdevitt (@chism12thman) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/chism12thman\/status\/1163925051336515585?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 20, 2019<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n<p>Someone asked in last week\u2019s mailbag if I anticipated the Seahawks making a move for Jadeveon Clowney. They may have inquired with the Houston Texans as to Clowney\u2019s price tag, but I\u2019m sure it was too rich for John Schneider\u2019s blood. And if not Clowney, I don\u2019t see why Seattle would pursue anyone else.<\/p>\n<p>Seattle seems content to go to battle with the names that are currently on the roster, hoping that Ezekiel Ansah and L.J. Collier will make an impact sooner rather than later. In the meantime, Cassius Marsh, Poona Ford, Rasheem Green, Al Woods and others should be able to hold it down until Jarran Reed returns from his six-game suspension.<\/p>\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Is there a spot for Shaquem on the roster?<\/p>&mdash; C\ud83c\udf54DY (@CoodyP) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CoodyP\/status\/1163861758437543936?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 20, 2019<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n<p>Shaquem Griffin\u2019s knee injury isn\u2019t doing his case for a roster spot any favors. Thankfully for him, Ben Burr-Kirven hasn\u2019t been stellar, either. I still think Griffin beats out Burr-Kirven for one of the final spots on the 53-man roster.<\/p>\n<p><blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">I&#39;m coming to my very first home game this year after being a fan since the beginning. Can you tell me one &quot;must do&quot; while at the game?<\/p>&mdash; BLUE &amp; GREEN 4 LIFE (@bill_schwener) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/bill_schwener\/status\/1163921730160795652?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">August 20, 2019<\/a><\/blockquote>\n<script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n\n<p>For starters, congratulations on being able to make your first Seahawks home game. I\u2019m sure that\u2019s going to be a thrill of a trip for you and whomever you\u2019re coming with. Arrive early and make your way to touchdown city in the CenturyLink Field events center. The biggest thing I\u2019d stress to anyone coming to their first game is to make sure they\u2019re in their seat for the raising of the 12th Man Flag. For my money, that\u2019s far and away the best pre-game tradition in the NFL. Then hang around and bar hop a bit on Occidental after the game. Please let me know if you have any more specific questions. I\u2019d be happy to help any way I can. Have a fantastic time!<\/p>\n"
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Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks

It’s hard to determine how much each preseason game impacts looming roster decisions. The Seattle Seahawks lost to the Minnesota Vikings last Sunday, 25-19, and we were left with more questions than answers. In this week’s mailbag, we dive into some of those unknowns facing Seattle with two games left in the preseason.

As always, thanks to those who asked questions.

There hasn’t been any report to suggest Rashaad Penny is nursing any sort of injury. But you’re right. To say he’s been ineffective through two preseason games would be putting it mildly. Penny has just 13 yards on 12 carries. There haven’t been many running lanes to speak of, but Penny hasn’t shown much burst or make-you-miss ability, either. I’m not one to overreact to what happens during the preseason. He may be poised for a breakout sophomore campaign.

“We’ve got to block for him better,” Carroll said regarding Penny on Sunday. “He didn’t have a chance.”

Even so, I’m seeing a guy fall further behind Chris Carson, who has established himself as Seattle’s clear No. 1 option. Seattle is going to give their 2018 first-round every opportunity to show himself. Penny will get touches – maybe even up to 10 a game. It’s understandable, though, why fans feel like they aren’t seeing enough from the second-year running back just yet.

 

I think John Ursua is good enough to make the team and I think he’s got a chance to make the team, but ultimately I don’t think he will. Ursua has just two receptions in the preseason – a 21-yarder against the Denver Broncos and a 25-yarder against Minnesota – but he showed impressive run after the catch ability on both.

Ursua is simply falling victim to the numbers game. I’m of the belief that Jazz Ferguson will make the team (more on that in a second), and I’m also betting that Seattle keeps Jaron Brown around. If I’m wrong about either of those things, then Ursua would be the next in line for a roster spot.

Ferguson failed to put together an encore to his standout preseason debut against Denver. After catching all four of his targets for 54 yards and a touchdown versus the Broncos, Ferguson secured just 2-of-7 targets for 24 yards and a fumble in Minnesota. To his credit, the fumble was a fantastic play by the defensive back, and several of his targets were uncatchable. Paxton Lynch struggled to get on the same page with any receiver on Sunday.

As I mentioned above, I’m still anticipating Ferguson will make the team. The fact remains that 6-foot-5 receivers with 4.45 jets don’t grow on trees, and Ferguson has shown enough to take a chance on. His ceiling is much higher and harder to find than Ursua’s. I also think the Seahawks have a much better chance of sneaking Ursua onto their practice squad. If Seattle opts to cut Ferguson, another team is likely to claim the big-bodied lottery ticket.

I’m having a really hard time projecting what kind of year David Moore is going to have in 2019. He seems to be behind DK Metcalf when the rookie is healthy. On Sunday, Jaron Brown also played with the first-team offense over Moore.

Moore did some good things as a rookie, finishing with 26 receptions for 445 yards and five touchdowns in 2018. But he disappeared down the stretch (just four catches for 32 yards over the final five weeks) and has been quiet overall during training camp. I’d be cautious about predicting much more than the 53 targets he saw last season. I think it’ll be in the same ballpark in 2019 unless Metcalf misses significant time.

Someone asked in last week’s mailbag if I anticipated the Seahawks making a move for Jadeveon Clowney. They may have inquired with the Houston Texans as to Clowney’s price tag, but I’m sure it was too rich for John Schneider’s blood. And if not Clowney, I don’t see why Seattle would pursue anyone else.

Seattle seems content to go to battle with the names that are currently on the roster, hoping that Ezekiel Ansah and L.J. Collier will make an impact sooner rather than later. In the meantime, Cassius Marsh, Poona Ford, Rasheem Green, Al Woods and others should be able to hold it down until Jarran Reed returns from his six-game suspension.

Shaquem Griffin’s knee injury isn’t doing his case for a roster spot any favors. Thankfully for him, Ben Burr-Kirven hasn’t been stellar, either. I still think Griffin beats out Burr-Kirven for one of the final spots on the 53-man roster.

For starters, congratulations on being able to make your first Seahawks home game. I’m sure that’s going to be a thrill of a trip for you and whomever you’re coming with. Arrive early and make your way to touchdown city in the CenturyLink Field events center. The biggest thing I’d stress to anyone coming to their first game is to make sure they’re in their seat for the raising of the 12th Man Flag. For my money, that’s far and away the best pre-game tradition in the NFL. Then hang around and bar hop a bit on Occidental after the game. Please let me know if you have any more specific questions. I’d be happy to help any way I can. Have a fantastic time!