A Bad Time To Be On The Bubble Seahawks’ Borderline Players Won’t Get Much Chance To Show Stuff In Game Against Colts

The clock is ticking.

As the Seattle Seahawks coaches send their players into the Kingdome for tonight’s 7 o’clock preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts, they know the luxury of time isn’t on their side anymore.

With only 15 days remaining before the regular-season opener against the New York Jets, coach Dennis Erickson has to worry more about tuning up the 53 players who will make this team than evaluating the 30 players who won’t.

That’s bad news for young players on the bubble battling for jobs. Erickson plans to play his starters a half. Key backups with job security will handle most of the third quarter.

That doesn’t leave much time for the rest. The roster must be at 60 by Tuesday and 53 the following Sunday. Backup offensive linemen Andrew Greene and Robert Barr are among the many who have to make the best out of what might be cameo appearances.

“In this league, they want progression,” Barr said. “Sometimes they don’t have time for guys who come up a little bit slower than others. Unfortunately, that’s how it goes.”

The top eight spots on the offensive line are nearly settled. The starters, left to right, are Walter Jones, Pete Kendall, Kevin Mawae, Derrick Graham and Howard Ballard. Tackles James Atkins and Grant Williams and guard Frank Beede are the top reserves.

The seven remaining offensive linemen are battling for what amounts to one job. Free agents David Kempfert, Pete DiMario and J Ina don’t have much of a chance. Larry Moore, an undrafted guard from Brigham Young, is a long shot.

Greene and Barr know they also face long odds, though teams invested high draft choices in them.

Last year, the Seahawks used a third-round choice on the 316-pound Barr. He was projected to replace Howard Ballard at right tackle when he retires. Instead, he spent 16 weeks on the inactive list.

He is likely to be among the 18 players released Sunday or Monday when Erickson shaves his roster. Tight end Itula Mili, defensive tackle Henry McMillian and safety T.J. Cunningham are on the physically unable to perform list. Linebacker Jason Kyle and wide receiver Grayson Shillingford will be placed on injured reserve.

Admittedly, Barr’s second camp has been a struggle. He has been inconsistent in practice. On his first play of the preseason, he misread a blitz and allowed a linebacker to force a fumble from Jon Kitna.

Seahawks coaches see that play as the key to the loss to the Minnesota Vikings in the Hall of Fame game.

“I hadn’t had a real bad camp, but camp was kinda tough for me this year,” Barr said. “I’m just trying to get things down pat. All I can do is work hard these last few games. Whatever comes up, comes up.”

Greene understands how quickly a team can give up on a high draft choice. The Miami Dolphins used a second-round choice on him in 1995. He played six games and started one as a rookie.

Then Jimmy Johnson took over the Dolphins last year. Greene hit the waiver wire Aug. 26, 1996.

“That situation is really different,” Greene said of his stay in Miami. “I was drafted by Don Shula. Then I get a new coach, Jimmy Johnson. You go from one extreme to another.”

Seahawks coaches like Greene’s potential at guard. He’s 6-foot-3, 304 pounds and moves extremely well. A native of Kingston, Jamaica, Greene went to high school in Ontario and college at Indiana.

He’s had a lot of difficulty picking up the nuances in the Seahawks’ passing offense.

“The key for me is finding a system that I can fit into,” Greene said. “I like it in Seattle. I feel comfortable here.”

But he may not be around long. In the short term, he is at the mercy of the deep-snapping competition between Beede and Greg Bloedorn. Kyle, the team’s punt snapper, is out for the season with a torn rotator cuff.

Erickson plans to alternate Beede and Bloedorn as the punt snapper. The hope is that Beede wins the job. He’s the backup center and top backup guard. If Beede masters the deep snap, the coaches would like to keep Greene for his potential.

If Bloedorn wins the job, he’ll be the ninth offensive lineman. Greene’s gone. Barr’s long gone. If Beede and Bloedorn fail, the Seahawks will have to go with eight offensive linemen and sign a player who does nothing but deep snap on punts.

There are a few other battles to watch tonight. Tyree Davis, the former Barcelona Dragon, battles Eddie Goines for the sixth wide receiver spot. Carlester Crumpler takes on Deems May at backup tight end.

Former San Diego Chargers linebacker Glen Young, if he plays well on special teams, has a chance to be the seventh linebacker. Dexter Seigler and Jeremy Lincoln are in a dead heat for the fourth cornerback job.

Wide receiver Brian Blades (knee), halfback Chris Warren (ribs) and fullback Oscar Gray (hemorrhoids) are expected to sit out tonight’s game.