Lockout Hangover: Cornerback, Part 1

The secondary seems to be bearing out the same theme that defensive end did last year: Pete Carroll going all batty nutso with competition. The 90-man roster is glutted with defensive back prospects, and this time, there's actual intrigue as to how the roster will shake out. Thanks to Walter Thurmond's injury, the secondary may be wide open.


Starters

Marcus Trufant

The veteran starting corner will enjoy a ninth season in Seattle without becoming trade bait or asked to take a pay cut. It's a relief to see Seattle stop short in its shedding of veterans and keep some experience for stability, instead of sticking to the "youth movement" as dogma.

Scott's Opinion of the Draft

Pick 25, James Carpenter. I was out with my wife Thursday night, and I didn't get back until just after the 27th pick was being announced. I had the draft on DVR, but the prospect of 3 plus hours just to get to Seattle's pick did not appeal, so I got online and scanned the list...

All my wife heard was a loud "WHO?". I knew this team needed a RT, but assumed it was 4th round stuff, you know, like when we picked Locklear. I erroneously assumed that Petey liked the ZBS principles because it makes getting decent linemen easier in the mid rounds. Right tackle? But it is true, Locklear is gone and Andrews is terrible. I mean, if Andrews can't play well in the phone booth, how is he going to be any good out at the tackle spot?

So I read up, watched some highlights, and then watched every scrap of Ingram film I could. And I get it. I understand passing on the remaining quarterbacks and Jimmy Smith at 25. Carpenter looks solid, can play 4 spots, and considering Okung's ankles are as yet an unknown quantity, this is solid.

Seahawks' Complete 2011 Draft Class

Ladies and gentlemen, your newest Seattle Seahawks.

Seahawks 2011 Draft
Rd	Pick	Player	Pos	School	Ht	Wt	#*
1	25	James Carpenter	RT	Alabama	6'4"	321	67
3	75	John Moffit	RG	Wisconsin	6'4"	314	62
4	99	K.J. Wright	OLB	Mississippi State	6'3"	245	50
4	107	Kris Durham	WR	Georgia	6'5"	216	84
5	154	Richard Sherman	CB	Stanford	6'3"	195	42
5	156	Mark Legree	FS	Appalachian State	6'0"	210	25
6	173	Byron Maxwell	CB	Clemson	6'0"	202	41
7	205	Lazarius Levingston	DE	LSU	6'4"	292	96
7	242	Malcolm Smith	OLB	USC	6'1"	225	53

* - Thought I would guess everyone's jersey numbers. Bold indicates a confirmed jersey number per Seahawks.com; the rest are my own wild guesses, pending comeuppance.

With the #173 Pick, the Seattle Seahawks Select Byron Maxwell, CB, Clemson

Three defensive backs in a row. Guess Pete Carroll is also serious about special teams. Wonder what this means for Walter Thurmond, Kam Chancellor, and Brandon Browner.