Seahawks Notebook | One cut finished, bigger one looms

KIRKLAND — The survivors were on the practice field.

The ones who didn't make the first Seahawks roster cuts were noticeably absent.

Monday afternoon at team headquarters, a number of players clinging to hopes of making the final 53-man roster were breathing sighs of relief to be working out with the team in preparation for their final big audition for a job — the exhibition game Thursday night against the Oakland Raiders.

That night, the roster hopefuls are sure to see extensive action, as the starters probably won't play a full quarter.

"As your team gets better and you get a little more depth, we will have to let go of players that the fans know and have enjoyed," coach Mike Holmgren said. "It's hard."

However, 11 of the players who were in the first cut, which will be made official today, weren't familiar to the average Seahawks fan. They were kicker Kurt Smith, safety Patrick Ghee, wide receivers Robert Ortiz and Chris Jones, cornerback Dennis Davis, running back A.J. Harris, linebacker Marcus Rucker, tight end Andy Stokes, guard Jason Murphy, center Austin King and tackle Jon Alston.

Holmgren said the team released 12 players, but the team doesn't have to confirm all of them until early this afternoon.

"It's never easy," Holmgren said. "To the man, they thanked us for the opportunity. They're good guys and they came in and worked real hard. The tough part about this is that they all can't make it. But they handled it very professionally and I appreciate what they did for us."

C.J. Wallace, a former University of Washington player, apparently lasted beyond the first cut.

The rookie safety had a good training camp and has stood out with a couple of plays in games, one an interception in the San Diego exhibition.

"I feel real good," Wallace said. "It's something I've been doing my entire life.

"I'm not nervous at all. I came here with a plan. I've got a chip on my shoulder and I'm going to try to make it to the top. Whatever happens, just happens."

Holmgren, without mentioning names, said there are a couple of players who would be considered surprises to be on the regular-season roster when it is announced Saturday. That is, barring anything unusual happening in the game Thursday.

The team must pare down to the final 53 by Saturday, meaning 22 more players will be let go.

The following day, an eight-man practice squad will be announced.

NOTES

• LB Julian Peterson, CB Kelly Jennings, DTs Marcus Tubbs and Chuck Darby, DB Jordan Babineaux and LT Walter Jones did not practice Monday to rest various injuries and general soreness. Peterson isn't expected to play Thursday, and those who don't practice today aren't expected to play either. Babineaux (bruised knee) is expected back to practice next week.

• LB Leroy Hill returned to practice after missing the game last Saturday, as did TEs Will Heller and Leonard Stephens. The two tight ends missed several days of training camp with injuries.

• The final roster typically includes a combination of 11 running backs and wide receivers, Holmgren said. That could mean five backs and six receivers or vice versa.

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