Position preview: Middle Linebackers
Depth chart
| No. Name | Ht. | Wt. | NFL |
| 57 Orlando Huff | 6-2 | 250 | 4th year |
| “ Nine career starts for Seattle | |||
| 50 Solomon Bates | 6-1 | 243 | 2nd year |
| “ Ex-Sun Devil pushing for starting role | |||
| 53 N. Koutouvides | 6-2 | 238 | rookie |
| “ Made 32 starts as a Boilermaker | |||
Lowdown
That depth chart is essentially a guess, based largely on previous playing experience. The coaching staff is giving Huff, Bates and Koutouvides equal reps to see who emerges as the starter. It could take most of the preseason to make that determination. Huff has the most experience with nine starts the last two years. Bates has potential, but he needs to show consistency. Still, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him claim the starting job. Koutouvides, a fourth-round draft pick, is the smallest of the three, but he’s grasping the defense and he proved to be a sure tackler at Purdue.
Fast fact
Seattle has had a new starter at middle linebacker every season since 1998 (in order, Dean Wells, Anthony Simmons, George Koonce, Levon Kirkland, Isaiah Kacyvenski and Randall Godfrey).
Quote
“All of us are athletic, we’re all good football players. We’re young, vibrant. I think that’s a strength. People kind of look at that as being bad, but I think it’s a good thing in this circumstance.” – Solomon Bates.
Coming Friday: Defensive tackles
“““