Dein erstes Forum » I think all our guys realize that,

JERSEY CITY, N.J. -- Richard Sherman, Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch deservedly draw the attention for what theyve done in getting the Seattle Seahawks to the Super Bowl. Players like Jermaine Kearse, Walter Thurmond and Malcolm Smith are just as big a reason why Seattle is facing Denver in Sundays championship game. Seattle may have one of the better starting lineups in the NFL, but the depth that general manager John Schneider and coach Pete Carroll have amassed is equally impressive. Its the reason they can rotate eight different defensive linemen. Its why when Brandon Browner was injured and Thurmond suspended, Byron Maxwell could step in and the play in Seattles secondary not suffer. Its a regular refrain in the Seattle locker room to hear teammates say the Seahawks reserves could be starters on other teams. And there is some proof: in the past year 23 players once with Seattle have spent time on the 53-man roster of other teams. "Its crazy because were always saying our backups could be starters. We always say that," strong safety Kam Chancellor said. "Those guys, people dont see this, but in practice those guys play just as good as us. Theyre making plays, getting the ball. Those guys contribute on special teams. Our special teams are probably one of the best. "Those guys put in work on special teams and it just goes unseen." When Carroll and Schneider took over, there was a revolving door of roster moves --839 in total since before the start of the 2010 season -- that followed in an effort to make a roster that was competitive beyond just the starters on each side of the ball. They wanted a depth chart that was the envy of the NFL. They wanted their reserves coveted by other teams. They wanted guys they were going to be released grabbed off the waiver wire the second they were made available. Seattle got its wish. Of the players released in the past year, five ended up in Jacksonville and four landed in Kansas City. "John and I have joined together aggressively to compete at every single turn, at every opportunity whatever it may be, to see if theres something in there for us," Carroll said. "Hes done a great job of having the competitive will to keep pushing and fighting and clawing and scratching to have the opportunity that has sent us down the road early on with the hundreds of guys that came through the program." Kearse, Thurmond and Smith are just three examples of players not counted on as full-time starters that have proven invaluable. Seattles seen contributions from Michael Bowie, Clinton McDonald, Jeremy Lane and Heath Farwell just to name a few more. Kearse was an undrafted free agent that signed with Seattle in 2012 and became a needed option as a third and fourth receiver this season with Percy Harvin and Sidney Rice suffering through injuries. Kearse finished with 22 receptions and four touchdowns in the regular season, but his biggest catch came in the NFC championship game when his 35-yard TD grab in the fourth quarter gave Seattle a 20-17 lead. Thurmond missed four games late in the season when he was suspended for violating the leagues substance-abuse policy. But hes started three games at cornerback this season and is Seattles best option as the fifth defensive back covering slot receivers -- a big emphasis this week with the amount of times the Broncos throw. Smith has shown the same kind of versatility at linebacker. Hes played both outside spot this season, first when Bruce Irvin was suspended and later when injuries to K.J. Wright and Bobby Wagner forced shuffling. "Through all the stuff we have gone through there has always been a guy who stepped up and made plays," Wagner said. "Last year it was Walter, this year it was Walter and Maxwell and guys like Malcolm, everybody. We have a bunch of players that if someone went down can step in and do a great job." One of the ways Seattle was able to create such a dynamic roster came from the three-way quarterback competition that Carroll had last season and which Wilson eventually won. It sent the message to the entire roster and to any free agents -- big-name or small-time -- that Seattle was a place they could come and have a chance. "You could tell looking at our board of players that we had fast, confident, intelligent individuals," Schneider said last week. "Guys who knew they were going to come in and compete for positions because the previous year we had a three person quarterback competition. "You know you have a shot when you have a three person quarterback competition as a player." Ender Inciarte Braves Jersey .Y. -- Phil Jackson lost out on his preferred coach, but hes working hard on keeping his star player. Atlanta Braves Store . An offseason trade acquisition from Kansas City, Greinkes National League debut was delayed by a non-baseball injury in the spring, and he was 0-1 after dropping an 8-0 decision at Atlanta in his initial appearance with the Brewers on May 4. https://www.cheapbraves.com/.Y. -- Sore nose and all, Sidney Crosby had a goal and three assists to help Pittsburgh beat Buffalo 5-3 on Friday night, snapping the Penguins mini-slump and slowing the Sabres late-season surge. Warren Spahn Braves Jersey . Messier, who had been a special assistant to Rangers general manager Glen Sather, announced Thursday in a statement that he is resigning in order to "expand the game of hockey in the New York area by developing the Kingsbridge National Ice Center. Deion Sanders Braves Jersey . PETERSBURG, Fla.TAMPA, Fla. - Winning could hurt Tampa Bays chances of landing the No. 1 overall selection in the 2015 NFL draft.However, coach Lovie Smith expects his team to practice well and do everything it can to close out a disappointing season with a victory.At 2-13 heading into next Sundays finale against the New Orleans Saints (6-9), the Bucs own the NFCs worst record and will pick no worse than second.The Tennessee Titans (2-13) are the other team in the running for the top pick.Smith noted Monday that his players have one more opportunity to not only avoid going winless at home, but also leave a lasting impression one way or another on the staff making evaluations heading into what promises to be another off-season of change.First-year general manager Jason Licht and Smith overhauled much of the roster after being hired last winter, including using the entire 2014 draft to bolster an offence that continues to sputter.The Bucs drooped to 31st in total offence after managing a season-low 109 net yards in a 20-3 loss to Green Bay.Smith rejects the notion it would ever be advantageous for a team to enter a game hoping to improve or preserve its projected spot in the draft.Ive kind of answered that question a few times. I think were going to end up in good position to get some good players. So to me, that cant even come into the equation, Smith said.(Against the Packers), even though we didnt play as well, guys fought right up until the end, the coach added. They werent thinking about that pick or anything like that. This week were going to do the same thing.Regardless of where the Bucs finish, they undoubtedly will feel pressure to consider seleecting a quarterback.dddddddddddd. Josh McCown, a career backup Smith brought in to be the starter, is the leagues lowest-rated passer.The coach is quick to point out that McCowns play isnt the only reason for Tampa Bays problems. The running game has been inconsistent and a porous offensive line has had difficulty protecting the passer.The Packers had seven sacks Sunday, and McCown was hit on five other occasions.While Smith has been encouraged by the development of the teams top three draft picks — receiver Mike Evans, tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins and running back Charles Sims — he is looking forward to improving the roster with an additional infusion of young talent next season.If you have to be down here, you need to get something from it, Smith said, alluding to the impending draft position.We have a full allotment of draft picks. We have an excellent staff that evaluates guys, the coach added. Thats the positive if you look at it. ... If you have to be down where we are, why not get your choice of a few of the best players available in the draft?Smith doesnt anticipate any difficulty motivating his players this week. In addition to being 0-7 at home, the Bucs are 0-5 against NFC South rivals, including a 37-31 overtime loss at New Orleans in October.We do want to finish it up the right way. I think all our guys realize that, Smith said, adding the players are not worried about where the team winds up in the draft.Were going to make decisions, the coach said, that give us the best chance to win ... and let everything else take care of itself.___Online:AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '