Check out the live blog I did during the game. These are just a few final thoughts.

– Penalties are still a huge issue for this team. 14/182 tonight. Pete Carroll demanded greater discipline this week, but he didn’t get it. Having said that, the ref’s haven’t helped during pre-season.

– Christine Michael needs to be the #2 running back. He was sensational today and needs touches. He’s the real deal. Robert Turbin isn’t close to Michael’s level of explosion. If pass protection is an issue, use Turbin on third downs. If Lynch is being spelled, I want to see Michael in there. He scored a 43-yard touchdown and looked like the best player on the field tonight.

– Tony McDaniel deserves to be named the starting three technique after his performance tonight. Sealver Siglia also had a solid debut. The run defense was lights out.

– Receiver Stephen Williams will make the roster and adds a dimension to the offense. He’s a big play threat and he’ll go up and take the ball. It’s something the Seahawks didn’t really have last year.

– Out of the fringe guys, did anyone stand out? I liked Mike Morgan’s performance. It was a quiet night for the likes of Allen Bradford and John Lotulelei. Winston Guy showed up with a nice turnover. Will Blackmon had an interception called back on a lousy call. Kyle Knox had another sack. In limited action he’s looked good. Practise squad for him I think.

– Michael Bennett is going to be huge for Seattle this year.

– I’m not sure Benson Mayowa truly warrants a spot in the 53, but I doubt he makes the practise squad. He’s a tough one. I want to root for him. But you might need to cut someone who genuinely contributes. For me, Mayowa needs a year. And yet with that year, he could be some player. It’s a dilemma.

– If you were doubting Michael Robinson’s importance, watch the tape again. Seattle compensated for his absence by using an extra tackle (Mike Person). The plan didn’t work. The Green Bay pass rush caused problems and often one blocker was stood watching. It didn’t help the run game either. And nobody looked ready to replace Robinson at full back. He’s going nowhere.

– Russell Wilson had an odd night. He started brilliantly, as did the entire offense. And just like the entire offense, he gradually got sloppy. I’m not really concerned. If the Seahawks play Green Bay this season, they’ll probably run the read-option all day long. And they ran it zero times tonight. If you want to know why they’d go read-option, watch the Packers-Niners playoff game again.

– Seattle will run with two quarterbacks again this year — Russell Wilson and Tarvaris Jackson. I fear Brady Quinn’s days are numbered.

– The Seahawks had 196 yards passing and 166 yards rushing. GreenBay had 201 yards total offense. Wilson played over a half for the Seahawks. Aaron Rodgers had one drive for Green Bay.

It was good to see the two tight ends getting involved on the opening drive. Loved the throw to Luke Willson against the blitz — a quick strike for big yardage. Veteran quarterbacks love the blitz for plays like this. Russell Wilson is starting to take advantage.

Wilson’s throw to Doug Baldwin down the middle for 27 yards was beautiful. Great arm strength and accuracy. Wilson looked incredibly sharp to begin.

Robert Turbin against Clay Matthews is a mismatch, but Turbin didn’t put up a fight on the sack that stalled the drive. Seattle took the points after that, running Turbin for an easier kick.

Aaron Rodgers already looks in mid-season form. Oh no. Michael Bennett down injured. One of Seattle’s key performers in pre-season and an absolute necessity for the defensive line is hurt. Fingers crossed. (He eventually returns to the game unscathed).

Red Bryant is lining up inside. Benson Mayowa is in with the #1’s again — they really want a good look at this guy. O’Brien Schofield is the other defensive end.

Green Bay waltzed into Seattle territory but the drive stalls. I liked the call on third down. Mayowa stunted inside with a linebacker (I think K.J. Wright?) blitzing. Mayowa did just enough to get into Rodgers eye line and force a slight overthrow. No disrespect to Mayowa, but I immediately imagined Bruce Irvin and Cliff Avril on this call and wondered how dangerous that would be.

If teams are circling Seattle waiting to prey on their cuts, it’s hard to imagine Mayowa making the practise squad. If they want to stash him, they might have to find a place for him in the 53. At the end of the day, who would you rather lose? Mayowa and his potential, or a linebacker?

On Seattle’s second drive, J.R. Sweezy got an earful from Pete Carroll after an avoidable personal foul penalty. He sat out a play. Carroll was letting rip.

You can tell this is pre-season. If this was a regular season game, Seattle would be using the read option. The 49ers destroyed Green bay with it in the playoffs.

Mike Person is being used at tight end as an extra blocker. I’m yet to see one play where having this extra blocker has been a benefit. In fact most of the time one of the lineman is stood with nothing to do, watching the play. At times they’re running this instead of a full back. This is another reason why Michael Robinson is a vital piece of this offense. He isn’t playing today due to illness.

Aaron Rodgers is done for the day after one drive. OK. Bet the TV crew are delighted.

Great play by Mike Morgan to end Green Bay’s second drive — getting a step on his blocker then getting a hand on Harrell’s pass. The kind of play he needs to make tonight, especially if Mayowa flashes.

Russell Wilson stays in and aims a pass at Stephen Williams. He can’t make the grab, but it was catchable. Then Sweezy gets his second flag of the night for a hold. He’ll be in the doghouse soon. That’s three penalties for 35 yards so far. The Seahawks can’t recover. After a nice long drive to start, the penalties are causing damage.

Bruce Irvin comes onto the field and instantly makes a fantastic play against the run. Big loss. Runs through traffic. Frustratingly it doesn’t end the drive, thanks to a screen and a quick pass from Harrell. It should end moments later though — this has to be a fumble. Carroll challenges another catch a strip, this time by Earl Thomas. The refs rule the receiver down by contact, which he was not.

The challenge works. Seattle ball. And yeah, Earl Thomas is pretty amazing.

Fourth penalty. 4/40. False start against Russell Okung. Christine Michael is in. Michael Bowie comes in at left guard. WILSON INTERCEPTION. An increasingly lethargic offense coughs up a pick. Wilson’s pass is tipped and after a bit of juggling it’s snagged by the Packers.

The Packers drive into the red zone and go for it on fourth down, Harrell finds Finley who apparently scores and goes for a Lambeau Leap. The ball clearly hit the turf on replay. For some reason it takes an age for the refs to make a decision, but alas they make the right one. Seahawks ball on the 4-yard line.

Since a smart opening drive, the starting offense has just been lousy. They haven’t been able to run, Wilson is forcing it. He has a second pick throwing it to Baldwin downfield. It looked like #89 just hesitated on his route, but the throw was into a very tight window with two defensive backs in range. Very un-Wilson like.

HALF TIME – 3-3 – and it’s scrappy. Yet in a much needed moment of hilarity, Marshawn Lynch chases his fellow California alumni Aaron Rodgers and mocks his moustache.

Seattle had six penalties for 75 yards in the first half. That problem isn’t going away.

Tony McDaniel has looked great. He started the second half with a big run play. I’d make a calculated guess that he’ll start in week one. The run defense has been superb tonight.

Welcome to Seahawks football, Christine Michael. The rookie scores on a 43-yard run to make it 10-3. He had a hole the size of Africa to run through, but turned a big play into a touchdown thanks to some neat footwork and good downfield blocking from Jermaine Kearse. Just before that the penalty count ticked over to 8/100. Carroll will be fuming.

Make it 9/115. An eight yard loss on a run play turns into 15 yards and a first down after a late hit from John Lotulelei. It’s crucial, as Vince Young leads a scoring drive for 10-10. If anything the penalty issue is getting worse, not better.

Michael has shown enough in this game to warrant the #2 running back gig. I want to see this guy spelling Lynch. If pass pro is an issue, have Turbin handle third downs.

Mayowa gets his sack, but it’s a gimme on a Vince Young fumbled snap.

this is a real photo from today lolololol http://t.co/Q9GzXHsxMc

— Danny Kelly (@FieldGulls) August 24, 2013

10/125 on the penalty count. Luke Willson with a block in the back.

11/135. Lemuel Jeanpierre for holding.

Brady Quinn replaced Wilson in the second half and just does not look good at all. He’s struggling to deal with pressure, he’s holding onto the ball too long. On this evidence Seattle keeps two quarterbacks again this year and they’ll be Wilson and Tarvaris Jackson.

False start Alvin Bailey. 12/140. Can you tell how exciting this second half is? We’re sat waiting for the end, counting penalties.

Brady Quinn just fired to a wide open Arceto Clark, showed zero touch drilling it in there and nearly cost the team a first down. He dumps the next one off to Christine Michael who wakes everyone up with an explosive play. And then a third pass is tossed into the end zone, with Stephen Williams making a nice grab fighting against a defensive back. 17-10.

Sealver Siglia got a good sack against the Green Bay third stringers. Fought up through the middle and pursued to get to B.J. Coleman — Green Bay’s #4 quarterback. A pass interference play negates an interception and makes it 13 penalties for 172 yards. It’s a terrible call on Will Blackmon.

Winston Guy does force a turnover on the next play forcing a fumble with a super hit. Mayowa recovers the football.

Christine Michael again. Get. This. Guy. Touches. Tarvaris Jackson closes out the game and gets penalised for intentional grounding. Flag #14 for 182 yards.

Seahawks win 17-10.

The newest Seahawk. This isn't a great photo for him.

I’ve had a 2014 “way too early” mock sitting there for two days. Just waiting for me to hit the ‘publish’ button.

And for two days straight, John Moffitt has stopped that happening.

After all, we have to discuss the issues of the day…

24 hours after he was dealt to Cleveland, he’s now going to Denver.

Confused?

According to reports, Cleveland voided their trade with Seattle due to concerns over his medical.

The Seahawks didn’t waste any time finding another trade partner, with the Broncos jumping in to make a deal.

What it all means is Brian Sanford, we hardly knew ye. He remains a Brown. Now the Seahawks get Sealver Siliga — an equally obscure, relatively unknown defensive lineman.

Siliga is a tackle formerly of the Niners. He’s 6-2 and 325lbs with one career tackle.

Basically, these two trades were about moving on Moffitt rather than acquiring a player who is expected to come in and be a difference maker.

And had another trade partner not been forthcoming, you can bet they would’ve simply cut him outright.

Allen Bradford - one of several impressive backups in Seattle

Strength in numbers separates Seahawks from the rest

How many teams would Seattle’s backups defeat?

I had a look and found ten I think they could genuinely compete with. Have a look for yourself.

Of course, the Seahawks (touch wood) will never find out the answer to that question. But even if they lose one or two key players to injury, there should be no panic.

In the past the Seahawks have been a slave to injury. This was mostly evident as the Super Bowl XL team disintegrated with alarming swiftness. Players get old, they begin to pick up injuries. Former GM Tim Ruskell bandaged holes with even more ageing stars and didn’t plan ahead at the key positions.

Guys like Patrick Kerney helped keep the window open a little longer for Seattle, but he soon crumbled. When cornerstones like Matt Hasselbeck, Shaun Alexander and Walter Jones began to deteriorate too you could tell the party was coming to an end.

The thin underbelly of the Seahawks roster was expose and the team became a shambles. A 4-5 win mess that needed major repair work.

That’s not to go over the top in criticising the previous regime. When any team loses key players to injury and age, it’s not easy to just reload. It’s difficult to win football games starting backups.

Yet the current roster appears deep enough to keep this team competitive in a way few can maintain. There’s no band-aid mentality, no short term window.

Don’t get me wrong, if Russell Wilson and Russell Okung go down in week one — it’s a blow they might not recover from. But when you compare it to the alternatives facing this team when Jones and Hasselbeck made way, it’s nowhere near as daunting.

Percy Harvin’s possible season ending surgery was a major disappointment to fans, but one they quickly got over upon witnessing the team dismantle two AFC West foes in pre-season. The Seahawks can cope, be it at receiver or most other positions.

Few teams will be left with the kind of headaches facing Seattle come the end of the month. Cutting down to 53 will be excruciating. Other teams will be circling the facility hoping to be the first to claim the unwanted.

It’s no surprise the Seahawks have combined for 71 points against San Diego and Denver. Such blow outs don’t give you any real evidence in terms of how the starters will fare when the proper football begins, but it does highlight depth. And Seattle has it in spades.

That’s not to say a team exclusively filled with backups can win the NFC West. Of course they can’t. But if one, two or even three have to fill in this year — combined with the remaining starters — Seattle shouldn’t miss a beat.

Random NFL thoughts

– The Broncos could lose Von Miller for six games according to ESPN. They also pathetically lost Elvis Dumervil to Baltimore this summer, saw Derek Wolfe pick up a spinal injury on Saturday and Champ Bailey currently has a bad foot sprain. Speaking of depth, this will test Denver’s defense.

– Good for Blaine Gabbert that he’s been named Jacksonville’s starting quarterback. I’m not sure if it’s because his face doesn’t fit within media circles, but he’s been given a terrible ride from the press. A quarterback drafted to lead a hopeless franchise currently on his third Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator in three years. How was he supposed to succeed? I hope he proves the doubters wrong this year.

– The 49ers have traded first round bust A.J. Jenkins to Kansas City for another round one disappointment in Jon Baldwin. Cut your losses and run. It’s the best way. As much as San Francisco got that pick wrong, their 2013 draft looks scary. This team isn’t going anywhere. As for the deal itself, I like it. Baldwin is a good fit for the Niners and a fresh start could do him the world of good.

The Seahawks didn’t outclass the Broncos, but made a series of big plays to deliver a one-side final score. Here’s some instant reaction…

– Benson Mayowa started with the first team defense tonight. Unfortunately, he didn’t have much of an early impact. As soon as Denver brought out the #2 unit on offense, he sacked Brock Osweiler. It’ll be tough to keep Mayowa with the depth at defensive end. You’d keep him if you could, but there’s going to need to be a sacrifice or two. I think he needs two big performances in the next two pre-season games to make it. But credit him for his efforts so far.

– O’Brien Schofield had a nice game and also saw time early. Like Mayowa he didn’t really have much success until Denver’s #1’s left the field. He had a sack fumble on Osweiler and blew up the right tackle on the following drive. He’ll provide nice depth for this team.

– The pass rush on the whole was frustrating against Peyton Manning. So was third down defense. These are the same trends that have dogged Seattle throughout the Pete Carroll era. Everyone plays a basic defense in pre-season to avoid giving much away and the Seahawks were lacking a lot of starting talent. Yet the familiarity with these issues will cause some concern.

– The background guitar chugging on the Seahawks broadcast is very annoying.

– Seattle’s special teams play is not annoying.

– Is Antoine Winfield in trouble? He has to be. Walter Thurmond looked sharper today and made a nice breakup in the slot on third down. Byron Maxwell and Jeremy Lane will also surely make the team. Unless the Seahawks are going to carry an extra corner, which seems unlikely, I think they might lean towards all the youthful talent they have. Winfield had to stand out in the slot and he couldn’t stop Wes Welker making a routine score in the first half. Not that covering a Manning-to-Welker connection is easy.

– One player who is absolutely safe is Michael Robinson. In fact, I don’t know why it’s even a discussion among some fans that he’s in trouble. There is surely no way they’re cutting an experienced cog like that to trust a rookie like Spencer Ware blocking for Lynch/Wilson. It’s not happening. Forget cap savings, it’s just not that vital that you cut Robinson. For me they’re trying Ware, Derrick Coleman and Phil Bates in multiple roles because they’re fighting for one spot on the roster and it’s about seeing who is the most versatile. Ware wins this battle for me, with Coleman and Bates making the practise squad.

– Coleman had a sloppy game after a good performance last week. He dropped an easy third down completion early in the second half and didn’t get much push as a runner.

– Michael Bennett looked great again. Relentless, intense. He’s going to be an asset.

– Jordan Hill had a really nice game against the run. We already know he can offer a pass rush. For me has a significant edge over the other defensive tackles to start next to Brandon Mebane.

– Heath Farwell, after forcing the fumble that led to Brandon Browner’s 106 yard score, chased down Manning and forced a throw out of bounds on the next defensive snap.

– Russell Wilson over-shot a few passes and didn’t look completely comfortable. The broadcasters mentioned he was trying to fire earlier to the open man. I hope he doesn’t compromise accuracy and try to force things too much as a consequence. Erratic is probably the best description of his display tonight because there was good work too. Wilson is probably working already on improving for next week.

– I want Alan Bradford to make the team because I can’t consider the thought of him playing for a NFC West rival.

– Alvin Bailey played guard. Interesting. Is he a possible starter after taking some educational snaps at left tackle last week? It might be too early.

– I really like Ty Powell’s potential. He had a great sack disengaging twice and keeping his feet moving.

– Michael Brooks had another good game. He’s showing more than Jesse Williams, who hasn’t done anything so far in the two games.

– Stephen Williams and Jermaine Kearse are making this team at receiver.

Marcus Mariota will be hoping the NFL continues to evolve

I like Josh Norris’ scouting reports at Rotoworld and enjoyed his early 2014 mock draft published earlier today.

(Well, I didn’t like Seattle passing on Brandon Coleman for a linebacker. Didn’t really get that one. But I digress.)

I think he’s representing an increasing trend among draft pundits to go big on prospective read-option quarterbacks.

Johnny Manziel was the poster boy for this hype previously, although it was semi-justified given his performance last season. I still have big reservations about how he’ll fare in the NFL (ignoring all the off-field stuff) but the negative press has seen him sink like a stone among mock drafters.

Instead he’s been replaced with guys like Oregon’s Marcus Mariota, UCLA’s Brett Hundley and Miami’s Stephen Morris — all represented by Norris in the top-15 in his 2014 mock.

I’ve spent a bit of time looking at all three and they’re all fairly different but with an ability to fit into the latest trend of the read option quarterback. All are athletic enough to work it. I’d argue they all lack the kind of polish and pocket presence that traditionally would secure a place at the top of the draft. They have striking positives, but also a lot of negatives. That could be mostly down to a lack of experience for all three.

Perhaps the NFL is changing and these guys get serious early consideration next April? After all, who expected E.J. Manuel to go 15th overall this year? The read option has its place as a wrinkle in most playbooks and it has a greater shelf life than the last fashionable trend (the wildcat).

Chip Kelly’s introduction to the NFL will be interesting. If a fast paced, read option-heavy system can work in Philadelphia alongside continued success for RGIII and Russell Wilson, then who knows what teams will be searching for in a few months time.

I still believe most teams will view the Mariota’s and Hundley’s with some scepticism, especially when players like Teddy Bridgewater are still being churned out by the college ranks. As much as the league is adapting, there’s still a lot of traditional minds in there too.

It’s something I’ll go into more detail in during our coverage this year. Right now I see one sure fire first round QB in Bridgewater. I still believe there’s the possibility of a bounce-back year from Logan Thomas (who people seem to have written off). If Manuel can go top-15, then a rejuvenated Thomas can get his career back on track.

And if the read option becomes such a staple that teams do covet a quarterback that can run it — despite all of his issues — I think Manziel has a better chance of going early than some of the other names suggested.

Even though the Seahawks don’t need a signal caller, this promises to be one of the most talked about topics this year.

(RB) "Coleman is EXCELLENT on special teams. He can play FB/RB." Pete Carroll #Seahawks

— Q Smith™ (@NWSBQ) August 14, 2013

I like the fact Pete Carroll is bigging up Derrick Coleman. He deserves it.

While the likes of Alvin Bailey and Benson Mayowa have been getting a lot of publicity following the San Diego game, Coleman was no less impressive.

He blocked well, he caught the ball, scored a touchdown and was electric on special teams.

Essentially, he’s Mike Robinson-lite.

It might be a luxury to keep him on the roster under the banner of a backup full back. The special teams aspect is a difference maker, however, as Carroll testified in his press conference today. If it comes down to keeping Coleman or sixth round rookie Spencer Ware, I’d be tempted to lean towards Coleman.

Neither player is going to feature as a running back unless something seriously goes wrong. Taking snaps away from Marshawn Lynch, Christine Michael and Robert Turbin is going to be nearly impossible, even if the bell-cow Lynch gets injured.

So then it comes down to special teams, and Coleman has that edge.

Michael Robinson is a crucial player to the Seahawks — he’s experienced, he catches the ball out of the backfield and demands attention on a roll out. At the end of last year we saw how dangerous he can be and when teams covered him (eg Atlanta) it created an easy running lane for Russell Wilson.

He’s also a dynamic special teams player. Over the last few days I’ve pretty much gone over every 2012 game using the condensed facility on NFL Gamepass. Time and time again Robinson popped up to make a special teams tackle.

Coleman has that potential. His special teams value could be vital too. As well as Mayowa has played, for example, the Seahawks are loaded with pass rushers. And he isn’t likely to be involved in special teams.

Again, I’m not sure if his usefulness is sufficient to take up a roster spot. I think there’s room for one of Coleman or Ware on the roster, possibly, and they might feel the potential of the former LSU runner is worth sticking with.

Robinson is a free agent next year and for me, they should do everything to keep him beyond that. But it’d be nice to have Coleman around as insurance. Would he make the practise squad? Possibly. But teams are watching the Seahawks and they know they’re a good place to look when those cuts are made at the end of the month.

Pre-season for the fans is about finding guys to root for. And I’m rooting for Coleman to keep making plays and find his way on to the final roster.