Opportunities are hard to come by and your replacement is never more than a phone call away in the NFL. That goes double for the position with the league’s shortest shelf life – running back.

Quinton Ganther, one of five Seattle running backs currently fighting for a spot on the final roster, knows that as well as anyone.

“I’m a seventh-round draft pick,” he said. “When I got drafted with LenDale in ’06, the next year they drafted a second-round guy in Chris Henry. The next year they drafted a first-round guy in Chris Johnson. But I somehow keep a job because I know what it takes to make a team.”

Versatility has been key to Ganther’s NFL survival. In addition to running, he can catch the ball, play fullback when needed, and he gives maximum effort in special teams.

“Just being able to be counted on helps,” he said. “Coaches love when they can count on a guy because you’re not a hazard to their team. They can put you in the fire.”

Ganther seized the opportunity to come to Seattle partially because of head coach Pete Carroll’s attitude about roster competition. The players come into camp with a blank slate in the coach’s eyes – there are no favorites.

“Everything here is about compete, compete, no one has a job,” Ganther said. “You go out and work for it. Other places they have the guys who are going to have a job regardless. Here it’s the best man wins.”

Ganther signed with the Seahawks March 17 after spending 2009 with the Washington Redskins. He played for the Tennessee Titans for three years after the team drafted him in the seventh round in 2006.

Carries were hard to find with the Titans; Ganther had just nine in three seasons. He carried the ball 62 times for 199 yards and three touchdowns for the Redskins last season.

After injuries to Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts, Ganther started his first career game in Week 14, Dec. 13 at the Oakland Raiders. He rushed 14 times for 50 yards and two touchdowns.

One familiar face for Ganther in Seattle is running backs coach Sherman Smith. Smith (who played with the Seahawks from 1976-1982) coached at both Tennessee and Washington when Ganther played for those teams.

“He allows you to be you,” Ganther said of Smith. “At the same time he’s a no-tolerance guy. He’s not going to put up with stuff other coaches are going to.”

Ganther is the only Seattle running back listed at heavier than 207 pounds, so he could fit nicely into a short yardage role for the team.