Tag: Kenny McIntosh

Seahawks elevate RB George Holani and T McClendon Curtis to active roster

Seahawks elevate RB George Holani and T McClendon Curtis to active roster

The Seattle Seahawks listed starting running back Kenneth Walker III and right tackle George Fant as DOUTBFUL headed into Week 2. While no official word has been given as of now about their game status, we can read the tea leaves.

And the tea leaves say running back George Holani and tackle McClendon Curtis have been elevated off the practice squad.

Before the Walker injury, the Seahawks had three running backs on their active roster. Walker himself, Zach Charbonnet, and Kenny McIntosh. Despite a strong preseason from Holani – 15 carries for 66 yards and two touchdowns – it was not enough to convince Seattle to roster four running backs. Fortunately, Holani cleared Waivers and the Seahawks were able to bring him back to their practice squad.

As for McClendon Curtis, he was originally signed off the Las Vegas Raiders’ practice squad last year, and he found himself back on Seattle’s practice squad after being cut during the 53-man roster deadline this August.

Now, both have made their way back to the active roster just in time for Week 2 against the New England Patriots.

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Seahawks waive RB George Holani

Seahawks waive RB George Holani

In one of the bigger surprise moves, the Seattle Seahawks have waived running back George Holani. Undrafted out of Boise State, the former Bronco was one of the more notable players during the preseason, as he battled with seventh rounder Kenny McIntosh to be the third string running back. Now, he’s headed to the waiver wire.

Both McIntosh and Holani played well in the preseason. Overall, Holani rushed 15 times for 66 yards and two touchdowns. But it wasn’t just what he brought to the ground attack. Holani proved his worth in blocking as well, something the Seahawks are always in desperate need of given their weaknesses along the offensive line.

Overall, it is understandable that Holani lost the battle to McIntosh. The deciding factor was likely in the Week 2 loss to the Titans, where the Seahawks fell 16-15 and could not run the ball at all in the second half. In that game, Holani had all of three yards on two rushes, whereas McIntosh had 46 yards on eight carries.

However, it is still a bit surprising to see Seattle let him go. His performance seemed worthy enough to keep on the team. If he is able to clear the waiver wire, he will be an excellent candidate to return to the practice squad.

But, that is a pretty big “if” at this point.

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Former Georgia RB uses stiff arm on 56-yard touchdown

Former Georgia football running back uses massive stiff arm en route to an explosive 56-yard touchdown

Former Georgia Bulldogs star running back Kenny McIntosh scored a 56-yard touchdown in his preseason finale with the Seattle Seahawks.

McIntosh’s touchdown helped the Seahawks beat the Cleveland Browns, 37-33. McIntosh’s touchdown was his only run of the game. He is sixth in the NFL with 142 rushing yards this preseason. There’s no doubt McIntosh did enough this preseason to make the Seahawks’ 53-man roster.

McIntosh is the Seahawks’ third-string running back, but he is one injury away from having a significant role during the regular season.

“McIntosh has proven he can run hard and be explosive, which is a perfect third option behind Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet,” said Kole Musgrove of Seahawks Wire.

McIntosh showed a great combination of speed and vision on his lengthy touchdown run.

McIntosh is more than talented enough to answer the bell when his named is called this season.

Michael Bennett discusses Seahawks RB Kenny McIntosh’s TD run

Michael Bennett discusses Seahawks RB Kenny McIntosh’s TD run

The Seattle Seahawks concluded the 2024 preseason with an explosive 37-33 victory over the Cleveland Browns. It was the first time all summer we got to see plenty of Seattle’s starters, including quarterback Geno Smith.

While the starters played well, especially against a Browns team sitting many of theirs, Seattle’s backups put on a show of their own. One of the biggest moments in the game was from running back Kenny McIntosh.

A seventh round pick in the 2023 NFL draft last year, McIntosh is trying to win the No. 3 running back spot on this Seahawks roster. Against the Browns on Saturday night, he did his best with his only carry of the night, going 56 yards to the house to give Seattle an early 14-3 lead.

On the broadcast was Seahawks legend Michael Bennett, who gave his own insight on the great run from the former Georgia Bulldog… in a way only Michael Bennett could.

McIntosh has done his best in the last two preseason outings to prove he should remain a Seahawk. Last week against the Titans, McIntosh led the team with 46 yards on eight rushes… by far the most by any Seattle ball carrier in the 16-15 loss.

McIntosh has proven he can run hard and be explosive, which is a perfect third option behind Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet.

We at Seahawks Wire will keep you up to date on all the roster moves coming in the next few days.

 

Did Seahawks preseason Week 2 indicate who’s winning RB3 battle?

Did Seahawks preseason Week 2 indicate who’s winning RB3 battle?

One of the biggest remaining positional battles on the Seattle Seahawks’ roster is the perceived one at No. 3 running back. While the Seahawks are still searching for their starting right guard between Christian Haynes and Anthony Bradford, the ongoing competition between Kenny McIntosh and George Holani is also capturing intrigue.

Seattle’s Week 2 preseason defeat to the Tennessee Titans could have hinted at how head coach Mike Macdonald and his staff currently see things. McIntosh received the bulk of the workload against the Titans, easily leading all backs in the snap count with 23 plays, accounting for more than 52% of Seattle’s offensive plays. McIntosh did a fantastic job maximizing those opportunities.

McIntosh rushed for 46 yards via eight carries, averaging an explosive 5.8 yards per carry. His longest run of the day picked up 12, and the former Georgia standout also recorded two receptions for 17 additional yards. McIntosh flashed dual-threat ability, paired with a decisive running style.

Meanwhile Holani earned just nine offensive snaps. The undrafted free agent from Boise State rushed twice for three yards. There are multiple ways to interpret Holani’s lack of usage in Nashville. He’s been impressive all offseason long, making it likely Seattle’s decision-making brass has seen enough from him on offense and special teams to make their determination.

Perhaps the aforementioned “RB3” battle is no battle at all. Sophomore running back Zach Charbonnet has been nursing a lower body injury. Though he recently returned to practice in pads, the Seahawks may ease him back in. Retaining both McIntosh and Holani remains a distinct possibility.

Macdonald’s usage of both McIntosh and Holani versus the Titans indicate they’re in good graces. McIntosh put forth a convincing performance that proved he still belongs. Holani has shown enough to warrant a roster spot.

Seattle should keep both McIntosh and Holani when trimming down their roster to 53 next week.

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RB3 battle to take center stage for Seahawks in Week 2 preseason game

RB3 battle to take center stage for Seahawks in Week 2 preseason game

The Seattle Seahawks concluded joint practices with the Tennessee Titans on Wednesday and Thursday. Due to the physical nature of those padded sessions, head coach Mike Macdonald has confirmed that very few (or even none) starters will play in the preseason game on Saturday. Starting running back Kenneth Walker III is one of the studs expected to sit.

Backup ball carrier Zach Charbonnet missed both practices with the Titans with a minor injury and will almost certainly miss Saturday’s exhibition contest. That should place increased emphasis on the ongoing position battle between Kenny McIntosh and George Holani to be the team’s No. 3 back.

McIntosh, a sophomore seventh-round pick, entered camp as the slight favorite. Seahawks general manager John Schneider liked Holani, who he notably offered $115,000 in guaranteed salary during undrafted free agency. McIntosh and Holani have been entrenched in a battle ever since.

McIntosh rushed for a team-high 40 yards in the preseason Week 1 win over the Los Angeles Chargers. McIntosh averaged five yards per carry via eight opportunities. Holani was impressive in his own right, rushing for 24 yards and a touchdown on six carries. Holani’s score was an impressive 11 yard scamper.

Mike Macdonald and his coaching staff have consistently shuffled the order. In Wednesday’s practice, Holani consistently worked with the first-team offense alongside Walker at running back, according to Bob Condotta. That theme generally continued at Thursday’s session, with one notable change. When the offense conducted it’s final two-minute drill, McIntosh entered at running back, per Condotta.

The Seahawks are encouraged by their running back depth. Competition has helped develop both McIntosh and Holani. The battle could be settled this weekend. McIntosh and Holani are unlikely to receive better opportunities than Saturday’s preseason contest will represent to convince the coaching staff they deserve the 53-man roster spot.

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Grading four Georgia running backs in the NFL: Preseason Week One

Four UGA running backs took a lot snaps in the preseason. We grade their respective performances

There were four former Georgia Bulldogs that had significant carries this past week of preseason football: Daijun Edwards, Kendall Milton, Kenny McIntosh, and Zamir White. Today, I’ll give a grade on their performance from what I saw.

Daijun Edwards, Pittsburgh Steelers

Opponent & Result: Houston Texans, L 12-20

Statline: 3 carries, 28 yards, 1 rushing touchdown, 1 reception, 9 yards, 1 kick return, 27 yards

Edwards was used in several instances today: as a kick returner for the Steelers (which has become less physically taxing under the new kickoff rules), and as the lead running back during the 4th quarter. His biggest run was a 24-yard gain that almost saw him punch it into the end zone early in the 4th, and he would on the next play.

The Steelers offensive line was effective at blocking for him, but he showed some legitimate agility, especially on his reception, where he juked a defender and almost moved the chains on a check down from Kyle Allen. Time will tell if he makes the 53-man roster, but the undrafted pickup for the Steelers definitely improved his case.

Grade: A

Kendall Milton, Philadelphia Eagles

Opponent & Result: Baltimore Ravens, W 16-13

Statline: 9 carries, 39 yards, 1 target

Milton looked less impressive than Edwards, although he had more yards and carries. He did use his trademark downhill running style from UGA to run out several minutes of the clock and help the Eagles get into range to kick the game-winning field goal. He had a target, but QB Tanner McKee threw it too far right.

He showed patience until he could find a hole from the offensive line, especially on some eight and nine yard gains when he was running up the middle. The Eagles running back room is crowded, with five running backs got 20+ yards on the day (not including Saquon Barkley) but with more showings like this, he can also make the 53-man roster as a depth back behind Barkley and Kenneth Gainwell for the Eagles.

Grade: B

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Kenny McIntosh, Seattle Seahawks

Opponent & Result: Los Angeles Chargers, W 16-3

Statline: 8 carries, 40 yards, 2 receptions, 1 yard

McIntosh, who’s more experienced than Edwards and Milton, had a stellar game in the preseason. He came in during the 2nd drive of the game for Seattle and immediately had two impressive runs for five and 14 yards. He would have had another four-yard run if not for a holding penalty. Then, on a broken screen play, he juked through one defender, but couldn’t shake his jersey off the Charger’s defender’s hands, losing three yards.

On the next drive, he went back to work, converting two first downs in two drives with a four yard run and reception. Both those plays helped extend two touchdown drives for the Seahawks. Right now, he’s slated as the third back behind Zach Charbonnet and Kenneth Walker III, but if one of the two are out for a while, he could potentially see an extended workload. Regardless, he looks in good shape to get his first carries in his career (in the regular season).

Grade: A

Zamir White, Las Vegas Raiders

Opponent and Result: Minnesota Vikings, L 23-24

Statline: 6 carries, 23 yards, 1 touchdown

No doubt, 1st-round pick Brock Bowers was the most notable former Bulldog on the Raiders, but former Bulldog Zamir White also started for the Raiders today. He mostly got tough, physical four-five yard runs. White showed his strength on the run where he found paydirt, bulldozing through a couple Minnesota defenders to add on to the Raiders lead.

Other than that, White wasn’t asked to do much. The Raiders are looking to solve a quarterback competition between Gardner Minshew II and Aidan O’Connell, so the game script relied on mostly passes from both. He is also the favorite to be the lead back for the Raiders in the regular season, so his roster spot is all but secure.

Grade: C

Seahawks ran the ball exceptionally well in 16-3 win over Chargers

Seahawks ran the ball exceptionally well in 16-3 win over Chargers

The Seattle Seahawks had a solid, foundational, win over the Los Angeles Chargers to kick off the preseason. It may not have been flashy or too exciting, but it was a great way to start. Winning 16-3 is not as impressive as in which the manner it was won.

The Seahawks dominated time of possession, nearly doubling the Chargers. What impressed me the most is how they were able to do so, and it was running the ball. Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet did not play on Saturday against Los Angeles. Instead, the likes of George Holani, Kenny McIntosh, and Kobe Lewis took the lion’s share of carries, as all three are competing for that No. 3 running backs spot.

So far, the competition is as tight as ever. As a team, the Seahawks rushed for 156 yards on 39 total carries. McIntosh led the way with 40 yards on eight carries. Lewis followed suit with 33 yards on ten carries himself, with Holani rushing six times for 24 yards and a touchdown.

Seattle has struggled to get their run game be a more consistent factor for the last two years. This is all the more frustrating because it does not appear to be a talent issue.

The Seahawks did something tonight I did not see much of last year: they sustained long drives. They ate up the clock and managed to convert on third downs. In fact, as a team they were 11-for-20 overall. One of those they did not get was at the end of the game when they were already leading 16-3 and the win was assured, and the one before that was still within field goal range to make the game truly out of reach for Los Angeles.

The ability to sustain drives is going to be critical for this team, especially with a defense rebuilding. The Seahawks defensively last year were not good enough to be left stranded on the field, thanks to an offense that routinely struggled on crucial third downs.

Again, I am well aware this is merely a preseason game when both teams are playing the most vanilla game plans imaginable with second and third stringers. But still, it is hard to not be encouraged that Seattle was able to engineer multiple drives of 12+ plays. Even the one that resulted in a turnover on downs at the Chargers’ 2-yard line ate up eight minutes of clock, winding the third quarter down to a point where Los Angeles had only one possession in this quarter.

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Seahawks 53-man roster tracker: QB, LB elevated from practice squad

Our 53-man roster tracker is updated.

The Seattle Seahawks announced a couple of practice squad elevations on Saturday ahead of today’s game against the San Francisco 49ers. Recently re-signed third-string quarterback Sean Mannion has been elevated as a contingency in case starter Geno Smith is unable to play. Smith is listed as questionable with elbow and groin injuries. The Seahawks also elevated linebacker Patrick O’Connell, who gives them some extra depth in case Jordyn Brooks is inactive – he is also listed as questionable.

Here’s the team’s updated 53-man roster by jersey number (Dec. 10).

Updated Seahawks depth chart + practice squad halfway through 2023 season

These are our best estimates at what the true depth chart at each position looks like right now.

The Seahawks have changed a lot of their roster since the beginning of the season. Just yesterday they made four more moves heading into today’s game against the Commanders. Let’s reset and review where the team stands at each position and in all three phases.

The Seahawks have a depth chart on their website, but it hasn’t been updated with Kenny McIntosh and Dareke Young joining the 53-man roster. It also does not include depth players who are on the practice squad. So, let’s see if we can come up with our own. These are our best estimates at what the true depth chart at each position looks like right now.