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THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: Seahawks could be Super, if they fill a couple holes

| September 3, 2021 1:20 AM

So, now we know the Seahawks roster.

What are you thinking?

Super Bowl?

Or a dreary 9-8 slog with no playoff appearance?

Oh, wait…

We actually DON’T know the roster, or what players will see critical game action.

Two important positions (at least) remain in flux — center and cornerback.

For instance…

With all the hubbub over shoring up the offensive line to protect Russell Wilson, the idea that Pete Carroll and his staff are juggling three possible starting centers is almost hard to fathom.

The Hawks have been waiving players and claiming others at a furious rate, especially when you consider that the regular season begins at Indianapolis on Sept. 12.

Last year’s starter at center, Ethan Pocic, battled injuries the whole way and was in the middle of a group that Wilson groused about on national TV.

During this season’s fall camp, Pocic has been fighting it out with Kyle Fuller for the starting job.

IT’S A little bit ominous that no one has stepped forward to lock up a position like center.

Now, just to make the situation even more frightening, Seattle has claimed another center, Dakoda Shepley, off waivers from the 49ers.

His last regular-season duty was with Baltimore, but he spent this preseason with San Francisco, where he logged 70 snaps at center and 26 at guard before being released.

Shepley isn’t just ticketed for emergency help on the practice squad, either. He’s in an audition to start the opener at Indy.

“Really, really liked him at center,” Carroll said. “We were surprised he was available as we watched him.

“Our guys did a really good preseason evaluation on him.

“He was really one of our favorite guys. Shoot, he showed up for us. We were very fortunate to get him.”

Unless Carroll was overselling a player who has been cut loose twice in less than a year, the Seahawks now are conducting a three-way battle at center for a game that’s only nine days away.

Remember, the center doesn’t just snap the ball and go hit somebody — he calls the offensive blocking schemes.

You really have to know your teammates and all the offensive packages.

Somehow, this last-minute indecision doesn’t exactly fill you with confidence.

NEXT, WE have the situation at cornerback, another do-or-die position.

And yes, another late addition to the roster.

Former UW star Sidney Jones was picked up from Jacksonville and he’ll be immediately added to the 53-man active roster.

The depth chart currently lists Ahkello Witherspoon (alternately brilliant, awful or injured with the 49ers) at left corner and D.J. Reed on the right.

The Seahawks rightfully want to have help — break glass in case of emergency — for either spot, since Witherspoon has a record of inconsistency and Reed has been dealing with an injury.

It’s a sign of fright that they’re keeping Tre Flowers, who has been torched far too often at right corner — although Flowers did look good in preseason games.

STILL…

Flowers is not going to be confused with Deion Sanders, nor will Witherspoon.

Several scouting services rate Jones ahead of both, but he’s also been a hit-or-miss guy — and bugged by injuries, to boot.

Finally, the Seahawks added yet another corner, Michael Jackson, to the roster on Thursday.

Jackson has been waived by Dallas (fifth-round draft pick in 2019), Detroit and now New England without any significant game time anywhere.

Yes, patchwork teams with big-time quarterbacks — which the Seahawks are beginning to resemble — have made the Super Bowl from time to time.

But let’s be honest.

It’s not the item you’d choose off the menu.

Email: scameron@cdapress.com

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

He also writes Zags Tracker, a commentary on Gonzaga basketball which is published monthly during the offseason, and weekly beginning in October.