Seattle Seahawks Training Camp Report: 7/31/2009

by John Morgan on Jul 31, 2009 7:13 PM PDT

This will be updated as reports roll in.

Mike Sando, he of the fleet fingers and prolific blogging, is first in with the composition of today's first string offensive line.

The Seahawks' first-team offensive line, left to right, featured Sean Locklear, Rob Sims, Chris Spencer, Mansfield Wrotto and Ray Willis.

That's not an impressive bunch of names, but it's not a terrible group of talent. Locklear is (probably) a steady-enough left tackle. Sims is, again, steady and the two form a pretty good pass blocking left side. Spencer is rounded and the most talented of this bunch. The right side would be scary against any kind of strong pass rush, but if they're not refined, they're barbaric too. Wrotto and Willis are a couple of maulers cut from the same cloth. It's a little odd to see Sims at left and Wrotto at right, but I've read Tim Ruskell that thinks left is Sims natural position. Hmmm. Anyway, this unit will not be a good unit, it will likely be a below average unit, but it isn't a crippling unit and it might be a fivesome we see at some point this season.

Update: 7:37

Good to see Clare Farnsworth hasn't lost his touch. He isn't the only one back to form:

MATCHUP OF THE DAY

Right tackle Ray Willis vs. left defensive end Lawrence Jackson. These two tangled twice, and Willis came out on top each time – literally.

First, they collided on a running play and Jackson had to leave the field to have his left ankle taped. Later, in the one-on-one pass rush drill, Willis flung Jackson to the ground. Before the tussle could escalate, teammates separated the two.

"It’s just football," Jackson said. "Nothing serious. Hopefully it’s not a regular thing, but things like that just happen in football."

Jackson isn't going to get a better pass-rush opportunity than one-on-one against Ray Willis. Not to be alarmist, but the time is near for Jackson to step up, because while he's not yet defining his potential, struggles like this say a lot about his progress and his chances of reaching that potential. Hopefully, Jackson is the type to turn this matchup into a vendetta and train and fight and struggle until he's the victor. Not the type to sulk.

Farnsworth has encouraging news about Nate Burleson and further validation that John Carlson is white Jesus. So check out the link.

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Comments

I was hoping that Curry would make it in.

C’mon. Cut the check and get this kid playing.

It's Great to be a Florida Gator!

by Wayward Llama on Jul 31, 2009 7:50 PM PDT reply actions

But then Carlson spent the spring making impressive grabs – just one reason why when the coaches talk about using four receivers, they include last year’s second-round draft choice rather than an extra wide-out.

Hah. Good fun!

by Thomas Beekers on Jul 31, 2009 8:11 PM PDT reply actions

Carlson is my next jersey.

He was the tight end that I wanted most last year. It’s time to drop some bucks on him.

Sam Bradford, future Seattle Seahawk.

by Carl Shinyama on Jul 31, 2009 8:13 PM PDT reply actions

So, did you ever get around to purchasing a Lawrence Jackson jersey, John?

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on Jul 31, 2009 8:16 PM PDT reply actions

I bought a Mebane jersey instead.

by John Morgan on Jul 31, 2009 8:17 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Since we're talking jerseys,

I’m torn between Wilson or Forsett.

I'm gonna go calm submissive on your ass.

by Dukeshire on Jul 31, 2009 8:19 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm partial to Wilson

by John Morgan on Jul 31, 2009 8:22 PM PDT up reply actions

Definitely go with Wilson.

While it seems like Forsett has a better chance to make the roster than we previously gave him credit for, it seems obvious that Wilson is going to get significantly more playing time and hopefully might take a step forward from a solid performance last season.

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on Jul 31, 2009 8:22 PM PDT up reply actions

Pistol!

He’s my next jersey. Though I hope to be able to afford Carlson and Houshmandzadeh this year as well…

Yesterday's Pants
A blog-thingy about the Mariners and stuff.

by BrettJMiller on Aug 1, 2009 10:09 AM PDT up reply actions

I can't decide whether I want a Carlson or a Curry.

Of course, either one would have to be neon green.

by thebyron on Aug 4, 2009 12:10 AM PDT up reply actions

Great idea.

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on Jul 31, 2009 8:20 PM PDT up reply actions

OL

They mixed up the OL combinations. The one I described was one they used, but sounds like they tried some other things. And Locklear is getting work at guard too. Heard Walter Jones looked good in the individual stuff.

by Mike Sando on Jul 31, 2009 8:33 PM PDT reply actions

Why, howdy there Mr. Sando!

"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."

by Fearless Frog on Jul 31, 2009 8:40 PM PDT up reply actions

Mr. Sando

Do you ever sleep? You really go above and beyond in your work, and posting on FieldGulls makes me wonder how much internet surfing you actually do — to the point of sleep depravation, I wonder?

Sam Bradford, future Seattle Seahawk.

by Carl Shinyama on Jul 31, 2009 8:50 PM PDT up reply actions

Not that I'm complaining.

I love the work you do, especially when you were at TNT.

Sam Bradford, future Seattle Seahawk.

by Carl Shinyama on Jul 31, 2009 8:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Just clarifying

I noticed Eric Williams had a different combination listed … which reflects the fact that they did mix it up … and since John mentioned my story, I wanted to make sure it was clear they used more than one combination. I was not there, but did speak with people who were there.

by Mike Sando on Jul 31, 2009 11:53 PM PDT reply actions

Hey Sando

Good to see you on here. Love your work at ESPN. You’re still the tireless blogger we’ve come to love.

Not happy we now have to share you with other NFC west fans, but I’m pretty sure they are loving having a super blogger like you keeping them informed about their team.

by ASeahawkfan on Aug 1, 2009 12:01 AM PDT up reply actions

Welcome to FieldGulls, Mike Sando

While you’re here, have you heard much about contract negotiations with Aaron Curry? I know missing a couple of days of practice isn’t going to kill you, but I’m just curious because we haven’t heard a whole lot of specifics of the situation.

by aerozeppelin on Aug 1, 2009 12:20 AM PDT up reply actions

Good to see a big reporter talk to the peons.

I’m hoping to be a sports reporter myself some day (I have won an award for community college reporting!..heh) so seeing guys like you come and interact with their readers is nice to see. I feel like you have to do that to be a good reporter…you have to know your audience. Welcome to Field Gulls, and keep up the good work!

Yesterday's Pants
A blog-thingy about the Mariners and stuff.

by BrettJMiller on Aug 1, 2009 10:16 AM PDT up reply actions

Willis just may be a very good player

Willis hasn’t seen alot of time on the field. He’s a huge dude. He may just be a very good RT rather than Lo-Jack a bad DE. I’ve been impressed when Willis takes the field and who knows, he may have put alot of work in the offseason to get better.

For all we know Willis is a highly motivated player and only Holmgren’s veteran’s first mentality has been keeping him on the bench which may change this year under Mora.

by ASeahawkfan on Jul 31, 2009 11:57 PM PDT reply actions

Further proof that John Carlson is white jesus

Priceless! That’s my new favorite line. And on the jersey front, I ordered a Carlson jersey and recieved it a few weeks ago. I nearly pooped with excitement. It’s not an authentic, but it’s a Carlson jersey so thats all that matters.

by Matt R on Aug 1, 2009 2:18 PM PDT reply actions