After a mock-game scrimmage dominated by the defense, holding the offense to three field goals and no touchdowns, the Seahawks Saturday cut second-year RT Michael Bowie, a seventh-round draft choice last year who started eight games and was seen as versatile element in the offensive line depth.
Bowie was waived/injured because of a shoulder problem developed during the week that coach Pete Carroll called significant. If Bowie clears waivers, he will be placed on injured reserve.
Another tackle, rookie Justin Britt, left the scrimmage and was seen with a wrap on his shoulder on the sidelines. That meant the Seahawks were left with one able-bodied right tackle, Eric Winston, an eight-year veteran free agent who joined camp four days ago.
There was speculation that the Seahawks may pick up OT Cory Brandon, a 6-7, 324-pounder who has yet to play for three NFL clubs and was cut by Arizona Saturday, to replace Bowie, who played at Oklahoma State and Northeastern (OK) State before he was taken in the final round of the 2012 draft.
When starting RT Breno Giacomini was injured, Bowie stepped in and did reasonably well for his lack of experience. Pro Football Focus graded Bowie the highest among Seahawks linemen in 2013. Giacomini left in free agency for the New York Jets and Bowie was seen as a candidate to start at tackle or guard, where he started one game in 2013.
Seahawks coaches were disappointed in Bowie’s condition at the June mini-camp, and the injury appears to take him out of the Seahawks picture.
Carroll said he was pleased with what he saw from the defense.
“I was really happy,” he said. “We have measured all the way to this day and we wanted to get a really good output. We had 80-some plays today. The effort across the board was really solid. We got a lot of work in preparation for Thursday’s ball game.
“This is the last big day to get that done. I think we accomplished that. A little sloppy with the (offensive) communication on the sideline calls and a couple delays that we don’t normally get.”
Asked to single out what he liked, Carroll said, “I thought the pressure up front was really good. I thought they had trouble blocking (DEs) Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril today. They were a big problem.
“I thought (WR) Bryan Walters made some big plays today, I thought (RBs) Christine Michael and Robert Turbin both looked good when they had their chances.”
For a second day since his return, Marshawn Lynch was suited up, but remained a spectator.
“It’s good to have him back out here,” Carroll said. “It’s going to take a while to get him going. He’s missed a lot of time in the offseason. We’re going to take our time getting him in shape, but it’s nice to have him back.”