Battles over depth a priority this week for Seahawks

KIRKLAND — The main thing coaches wanted to see in the Seahawks' first exhibition game was how the offensive and defensive first units looked in a series or two.

Saturday, when Seattle plays at Green Bay, the focus turns to the young players and others trying to win roster spots.

What is certain is that starting quarterback Matt Hasselbeck won't play much more than the one series he did last week. And running back Shaun Alexander, fullback Mack Strong, wide receiver Bobby Engram, tight end Marcus Pollard and right guard Chris Gray, all front-line players, will see a little more action than they did in the Seahawks' 24-16 victory at San Diego. None, however, will play past the first quarter, said coach Mike Holmgren.

Coaches will spend most of the game evaluating backups and rookies.

"In fairness to the athlete, if he's competing for the sixth linebacker position or the fifth wide receiver position, you have got to get those guys into the games," Holmgren said, "and then make your evaluations off that. The battle for the third or the second tight end, the nickel back, the fourth corner, those types of things, that's why it's important that we get those young guys in there to play."

Another one to watch is quarterback David Greene, who will get his first playing time of the exhibition season. Greene, a third-year pro, is trying to keep his place on the roster as the No. 3 signal-caller behind Hasselbeck and Seneca Wallace.

"I'm hopeful he can play most of the second half. That's the plan anyway," Holmgren said. "David has things he's been working on since he's been here. I want to see him manage the football game first of all, do the things quarterbacks do. Make sure he handles that well and handles it with poise. And obviously, he's got to throw the ball well."

Greene has struggled in practice in the past, but Holmgren said camp this year has gone well for the quarterback who was taken in the third round.

Greene said he feels he has a good grasp of the situation.

"It's my third year now, so the thing I want to do is go out there and run the offense," he said. "Go out there, put together some good drives, move up and down the field and show that I can run the offense the right way."

For Greene, thinking about the play the coaches call isn't an issue anymore.

"Now it's just going out there and just executing," he said. "As far as knowing what to do with all the reads and all that, that comes pretty easy to me now, or a lot easier than it did.

"This is huge. This is my time to show them my progress and show them how I've gotten better."

Hasselbeck, who led a touchdown drive last week, might be limited just so he won't get hurt. He's coming back from offseason shoulder surgery.

Injuries and precaution will keep the following players from making the trip: linebacker Leroy Hill, defensive back Jordan Babineaux, tackles Walter Jones and Sean Locklear, tight ends Will Heller and Leonard Stephens, wide receiver Courtney Taylor and defensive tackle Marcus Tubbs.

Ode to Obomanu

Holmgren was asked about the play of second-year receiver Ben Obomanu, who shined against San Diego.

"If he continues to do what he's doing, I would say his chances are very good," Holmgren said of Obomanu making the final roster.

Obomanu got a chance to return punts against the Chargers and ran one back 22 yards, but Holmgren said he expects receiver Nate Burleson will end up being both the punt returner and the kickoff returner when the season starts.

The coaches want to look at some other options in the exhibition season while limiting Burleson until September.

Note

• G Mansfield Wrotto left the morning practice early after being poked in the eye, but came back for the afternoon practice. He still was to undergo tests to determine how severe the injury is. "Depending on how much he can see out of that eye, we'll play him [Saturday]," said Holmgren, who then talked about teasing Wrotto. "It's nice to have both eyes, but not absolutely necessary."

José Miguel Romero: 206-464-2409 or jromero@seattletimes.com