The Inevitable Question

by: Michael Steffes

With reports from almost everyone at the scrimmage raving about Justin Forsett, the next question becomes is Mo Morris expendable? I am sure that is a topic that will be popping up in the next few weeks, especially if Forsett looks good in preseason.

I expect Morris to be on this team in Buffalo in week 1, no matter what happens. There are several reasons.

To Continue....

First, he is the only back in town who is not learning Mike Holmgren's system from scratch. Jones, Duckett, and Forsett are all new to it. The running back position is generally one of the easiest positions to pick up, but Holmgren asks a lot of his backs. It is enough that I think it ensures Morris place on this team. Holmgren hates mistakes, especially ones in formation, blocking assignments, etc; the little things. Holmgren will want a player he trusts to do exactly what is asked. Especially in his last year, especially on the offensive side of the ball. This is probably one of the reasons Coach Mike is insisting that Jones and Morris will be co-starters. Could this change? I suppose so, but I wouldn't expect Big Show to agree to just cut Morris loose. Which brings us to the second reason...

There is almost no trade value for a running back like Mo Morris right now. If you haven't notice, a free agent line seems to be forming for the first to get a job when injury strikes. Most teams are not going to see value in handing over draft picks for Mo Morris when they could sign a feature back. Morris does have the fact that he would be a capable third down back going for him, but it isn't enough to fetch a good price. Right now, and probably through the end of camp, I would say his value is no higher than a sixth. Do you want to give up Morris for a sixth? Not if we can get Forsett to the practice squad and that seems likely for the same reasons.

If there is a team out there that is RB hungry, they have a bunch of options which they are not kicking the tires on. Not to mention Forsett would be coming over as a rookie with no time in camp learning the system. It just seems unlikely that he would show so much that he a team would put him on the active roster with no time in the system. Especially considering probably more than half of the teams would eliminate him outright because of his size.

Once again it seems the Seahawks are finding themselves in an envious position. Too much talented depth. This is not a bad thing. There is a long way to go through the preseason, and one hard hit and this becomes a mute point. But as for now, I do not expect trading or releasing Morris to be an option, no matter how much Forsett impresses. Here is the good news....

If he does make it to the practice squad, and is as good as advertised right now, well then this team has a handful of very talented, young skill position players on the offensive side of the ball. Whoo ha!