NFL teams
Associated Press 10y

Seattle goes with 2 QBs cutting Pryor, Daniels

NFL, Seattle Seahawks, Arizona Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packers

RENTON, Wash. -- The Seattle Seahawks will begin the season with only two quarterbacks on the 53-man roster after letting go of Terrelle Pryor and B.J. Daniels as part of their final roster cuts on Saturday.

Seattle announced its final roster decisions ahead of Thursday's season opener against Green Bay. Seattle's two QBs for the opener will be starter Russell Wilson and veteran backup Tarvaris Jackson, but the Seahawks will likely try and add a quarterback to the practice squad.

Seattle also terminated the veteran contracts of tackle Eric Winston, the NFLPA president, and cornerback Phillip Adams. Winston was signed at the start of training camp to compete at right tackle, a job that was won by rookie Justin Britt. Adams was in competition to be the Seahawks fourth cornerback.

Instead, Seattle traded a late-round pick to Indianapolis for cornerback Marcus Burley on Saturday.

Also released were defensive end Benson Mayowa, guard Caylin Hauptmann and wide receiver Bryan Walters, all three were on the roster for last February's Super Bowl win over Denver. Seattle opted for seven receivers, keeping Phil Bates, Ricardo Lockette and rookies Paul Richardson and Kevin Norwood.

The Seahawks cut 22 players total, placed defensive tackle D'Anthony Smith on injured reserve to reach the roster limit. Seattle's finalized roster will begin practices on Sunday for the opener against the Packers.

The only major surprise came at wide receiver where Seattle kept seven -- the largest contingent of coach Pete Carroll's tenure -- but the group did not include Walters. Norwood missed most of training camp after having surgery to remove a bone spur from his foot, but the Seahawks remain high on the fourth-round pick and kept him on the active roster likely knowing he would not make it through waivers.

Walters' versatility was his ability as a capable returner on special teams. Seattle plans to have Percy Harvin returning kicks and Earl Thomas returning punts, but Walters would have been an option to give both breaks.

Instead it was Bates, a former college quarterback at Ohio, who remained.

Linebacker Bruce Irvin was also on the active roster despite not participating in training camp as he recovered from hip surgery. Carroll said earlier this week he was hopeful Irvin could return to practice ahead of the opener against Green Bay.

Seattle cut former draft pick Korey Toomer, who was unable to overcome a pattern of being sidelined by injuries, including trouble with his hamstring during training camp.

Seattle kept five picks from the May draft: Richardson, Britt, Norwood, defensive end Cassius Marsh and linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis. Picks that were cut included defensive tackle Jimmy Staten and fullback Kiero Small.

Two undrafted rookies made the final roster, continuing Seattle's trend of giving those overlooked in the draft chances to make the team. Linebacker Brock Coyle's spot was seemingly assured when veteran Heath Farwell suffered a groin injury in the third preseason game. Offensive tackle Garry Gilliam is a project, but flashed enough promise in camp that he was a preferred option over keeping a veteran such as Winston.

Seattle has been among the most active teams in the past picking up players on the waiver wire. With the short week before the opener against the Packers, the likelihood is any tinkering by general manager John Schneider might not happen until after Week 1.

---

AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL

^ Back to Top ^