Will Herring: Seattle's linebacker coach Zerick Rollins comments

In an effort to get some insight into the depth behind Lofa Tatupu, Julian Peterson and Leroy Hill, I spoke with linebackers coach Zerick Rollins:

How are the players behind the main guys going to shape up? “I think it is still too early to tell. I think we have some guys who are looking good right now. Wesly Mallard has done some things, I think Will Herring is a good player. And Lance Laury, this is his third season, it is time for him to grow up and be a player for us. He has all the potential to be able to do that. We are counting on him as well.”

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What is he going to be able to do for you? What are his strengths? “His strengths are he can run, he is fast, he can make plays. His biggest thing is youth. He hasn’t played much. He needs experience. He will get more playing time in the preseason, and we will see.”

What did you think when you saw Niko (Koutouvides) and (Kevin) Bentley depart? “It was tough, but the thing that made the transition a little easier is we got D.D. Lewis back. He is a seasoned vet. He started in the Super Bowl for us. And so I felt like he replaced at least one of those two guys. He replaced Niko. And then you have Lance Laury who is coming, he is in his third year, he will be fine. And then you have a young guy in Will Herring, who will be fine.”

How much will those guys be required to do special teams? “Oh, if you are a backup linebacker, that is your number one role, special teams. That is very important