NFL GridIron Gab Daily Digest

For a team that's tried for months to resuscitate itself via created competition, running back is one position that's been in dire need.

It's been four years since Seattle last had a 1000-yard rusher.  The team's brought in the likes of Julius Jones, TJ Duckett and Edgerrin James in addition to resigning the franchise's all-time leading rusher in Shaun Alexander and drafting Justin Forsett.  None of whom have provided the kind of returns on the Seahawks' investments that the organization and its fans would have liked.  In fact, the production from Seattle's leading rusher every season since 2005 has dwindled so much that the Seahawks haven't had a running back eclipse the 700-yard mark in the past two seasons.

Enter new offensive line coach Alex Gibbs, known for his work with the prolific ground games in Atlanta from 2004-2006 and the Denver Broncos from 1995-2003, and a couple fresh running backs to battle returners Jones and Forsett in an effort to bring life back to one of the team's most stagnant aspects.

In this installment of SeahawksGab's Preseason Preview, Editor Devon Heinen breaks down the 2010-2011 Seattle running game. 

THE RETURNERS
Julius Jones
Sharing the running responsibilities during his days with the Dallas Cowboys, Julius Jones' best games were against the Seahawks at Qwest Field.  In two games against Seattle, Jones rushed for 310 yards on 52 attempts and reached the end zone three times.  However, when the Notre Dame product inked a deal with Seattle, the jury was out.

Was Jones going to be able to produce like he did when he tore up the Qwest Field turf while wearing a star on his helmet?  Or was Seattle getting the running back that averaged just 3.6 yards per carry the year that he had been phased out in Dallas by a young Marion Barber?  Unfortunately for Seattle, the latter depiction has thus far proven to be the more accurate one.

In Jones' second season with the Seahawks, he averaged 3.7 yards per rush, down from 4.4 yards per rush in his first year with them, and scored a paltry two times while leading the team in rushing.  Yes Seahawks fans, Julius Jones, not Justin Forsett, led your team in rushing this past season.

What does the 2010-2011 season have in store for Jones?  A similar role to the one he had in his final year with the Cowboys.  He'll continue to get touches, but look for him to be phased out in favor of Justin Forsett or a player acquired via trade during training camp.

Prediction: 150-plus carries, but less than 200 for 500 yards and 3 touchdowns 

Justin Forsett
Despite his lack of height, Justin Forsett's been the darling of Seahawks fans since 2008, his first season in a Seattle uniform.

After spending his first two seasons in the National Football League doing special teams work, the 5-foot-8 Forsett tallied his first-ever offensive touches in 2009.  With the opportunity Forsett shined, averaging 7.1 yards per carry, totaling six runs of 20 yards or more and four touchdowns.  What's more, he finished sixth overall in running backs in yards after contact per attempt with 3.2 yards, outperforming Beanie Wells, Maurice Jones-Drew and Chris Johnson.

Glowing geports out of Seattle's Renton, Wash. training facilities this offseason point to Forsett becoming the team's focal point out of the backfield.  Should Seattle opt to not go out and acquire a true workhorse during training camp for the team's stable of running backs, expect big totals for Forsett.

Prediction: 250+ total offensive touches (rushes and catches combined) for 1000 yards from scrimmage and 5 offensive touchdowns 

Louis Rankin
Injuries to Seattle's running backs sent Louis Rankin from the team's practice squad to the playing field on game days, where he carried the football eight times in 2009.

Don't expect much from Rankin in a Seahawks uniform this season, as he is a long shot to make the team.

Prediction: Cut from roster prior to Week One. 

THE NEWCOMERS
LenDale White
LenDale White was brought in during the 2010 NFL Draft to make a difference; however, he never left his mark on the field, as he was let go by the team in late May. 

Leon Washington
Like White, Leon Washington was picked up in a draft-day trade during the 2010 Draft.  Unlike White, Washington's still with the team, though the former New York Jet is still recovering from a broken leg.  It remains to be seen how available he'll be during Seattle's preseason.

If Washington's leg doesn't limit him this season, he could be used by new head coach Pete Carroll as a complimentary piece to Justin Forsett out of the backfield since Washington and Forsett are similar in style of play and size to each other.  Where Washington could make his presence felt the most for Seattle is in the team's kick and return games, something he's been excellent at in the past with the Jets.

Prediction: Less than 50 offensive touches, but 20 total returns in special teams 

Quinton Ganther
Quinton Ganther was brought in during the offseason to help fuel competition after spending 2009 with the Washington  Redskins; however, don't expect Ganther to make the final roster, as he should find himself lower on the depth chart than Louis Rankin.

Prediction: Cut from roster prior to Week One. 

THE TWIST?
Marshawn Lynch
Throughout the piece there's been hints about Seattle possibly picking up another running back prior to the start of the regular season.  Should Seattle do that, look for the Seahawks to make a deal with the Buffalo Bills for Marshawn Lynch.

Seattle's been linked to Lynch dating back to the 2010 Draft, but, according to reports, Seattle didn't want to part with what Buffalo was asking for in return for the former Pro Bowl running back.

I don't see Seattle coughing up the kind of draft picks Buffalo has been reportedly asking for, although if a trade were to take place Seattle would have the kind of workhorse needed to produce consistently not only this year but down the road as well.

Prediction: Seattle sticks with what it has on its roster and addresses its need at the position via the 2011 NFL Draft.

Can't get enough SeahawksGab?  Follow Devon on Twitter at http://twitter.com/DevonHeinen.

National Football Post reports that Eagles QB Mike Vick is not going to have to sit over the birthday party that recently got him in trouble in Virgina:

The big bang at the end of Michael Vick's 30th birthday party will not cost him time in the NFL.

According to a report by Paul Domowitch of the Philadelphia Daily News, the league completed its investigation into the party at which Quanis Phillips, a co-defendant in Vick's federal dogfighting trial, was shot. The NFL determined no action will be taken against the Philadelphia Eagles' backup quarterback.

Vick is scheduled to report to training camp at Lehigh University today. The team's quarterbacks are showing up on the first day along with the rookies. Per Domowitch, Vick will meet with reporters for the first time since the June incident.

Vick reportedly left the scene of the party and shooting minutes before Phillips suffered a non-life threatening shot in the leg. There has been some speculation as to whether or not the team will keep him. For now, it appears that Vick will continue as Kevin Kolb's understudy.

The Cowboys did a good job by getting their first round pick Dez Bryant in to camp on time with a contract. However, maybe it would have been better if Bryant missed a couple days.

In his first day at Cowboys camp, fellow wide receiver Roy Williams told Bryant to carry his pads, a common request for veterans of rookies during Training Camp. Despite being a common request of a rookie, Bryant refused to carry Williams' pads and it's creating a little bit of a buzz.

There are some people siding with Bryant for standing his ground; however, it seems the majority of people think he was wrong to do so. I'm sure Bryant is trying to make a statement, but it might have been the wrong time to do so.

Williams came out with a statement regarding the situation saying, " Everybody has to go through it. I had to go through it. No matter if you're a No. 1 pick or the 7,000th pick, you've still got to do something when you're a rookie. I carried pads. I paid for dinners. I paid for lunches. I did everything I was supposed to do, because I didn't want to be that guy."

Personally, I think Bryant should have just carried the pads. It's not something bad and wouldn't make people look at him any differently.

Putting all the debate aside, I'm happy Bryant made the decision he did. I don't think Williams was happy to see him join the team to begin with and this just makes things even better. There is some bad blood there and I love it.

Also, I think this shows the type of person Bryant has. He's always had an attitude problem and I don't see that changing anytime soon. The kid is extremely talented, but we've seen first hand that even the most talented players can cause harm to their team because of a bad attitude.

With so much controversy and question surrounding Vincent Jackson and Marcus McNeill this offseason, many people have overlooked the fact that linebacker Shawne Merriman has been in a similar situation as the other two.

However, he has not been as vocal about his intentions, and many would assume that he will be at training camp when it starts tomorrow. Part of the reason for his hide in the shadow tactics is due to the fact that he hasn't been as productive as he should have been in recent years and appears to have fallen from grace as the dominant, intimidating linebacker that we all used to know and love.

So after spending most of 2009 on the sideline, it should be safe to say that Merriman should be back to form and ready to practice by now right? Or at least be willing to show up so that he can put in the time to get himself back to his Pro-Bowl form? Well head coach Norv Turner thinks so…

"Because of the things he's been through, he could benefit greatly from having a full, great training camp and getting back to doing the things he does healthy," Turner said in an interview with Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. "I don't care who you are, if you are not 100 percent… there are things you can't do that you used to do, you're not instinctive. The way you get those things back is by going 100 mph and practicing."

So Turner's stance on where Merriman should be tomorrow is pretty cut and dry. Merriman has done a good job of keeping his distance from the Chargers this offseason, but if he wants to come back and be the electrifying force that he has been in the past, now is the time for him to show up and put in the work. We will see tomorrow whether he is up to the challenge that Turner has layed out for him, or if he will continue to be a no show down in San Diego.

If Merriman decides to keep the lights out on the Chargers and someone else can step up in training camp and prove that they can fill the void adequately, look for Merriman to be headed somewhere else in the not so distant future.

When Seattle opens the 2010 National Football League season against the San Francisco 49ers, the Seahawks will have another new face.

According to a report by the St. Petersburg Times and confirmed by the Los Angeles Times, Seahawks Chief Executive Officer Tod Leiweke will leave the organization to take the same position for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the National Hockey League.  The confirmation story adds that Leiweke will become part owner of the hockey team.

Leiweke has been with the Seahawks since 2003.

Sunday night found New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and his team inching closer to a contract extension, which could be finalized before the start of the regular season, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

Schefter, quoting unnamed sources, says that both sides are having ongoing discussions and a deal is “within reach.” Currently, Brady is signed through this year and will earn in base pay $3.5 million; he already has received a $3 million roster bonus.

Despite the unhappiness that Brady has expressed about his contract, he reported to training camp with the Patriots’ rookies on Sunday.

For those of you who cannot wait for the Seahawks to start its training camp in four days, CBS Sports took a look at Seattle’s biggest camp questions.

Make sure to check back here at SeahawksGab tonight and over at the Twitter of SeahawkGab Editor’s Devon Heinen later today for another installment of his preseason preview.  Today he’ll take a look at the running back situation.