Notes from Seattle Seahawks Training Camp
Before I head out to this afternoon's practice, here's a massive notes dump from yesterday's practice.
- Seattle ran a lot of draw plays. I think this was both to practice the play on offense and to see how its attacking defense responded. The offense won.
- Kent was one of the receiving stars, grabbing some nice catches. He was never well covered. I noticed first though that he still looks very deliberate in basic receiving drills. One might say he's farther along at actual receiving than training to be a receiver.
- The Seahawks defensive linemen weaved between and swam ballasted heavy-bags during a pass rush drill. It began as a bit of a tame drill, but Craig Terrill set the tone with a hearty weaving, slapping and grunting display that fired everyone up. Cory Redding and Colin Cole put their body into their hits and the bags went down with a thud, but quickly righted themselves. Then came a man named Red. Bryant didn't look like he was working much at all, but damn when that bag went down you'd swear it miraculously evolved a survival instinct, because it stayed down. It stayed down for a spooky long time. Bryant is hard to ignore wherever he is. He clogs and holds ground laterally as well as any Seahawks tackle since Marcus Tubbs. Redding is long and thick, Cole is barrel-chested and stout, and Bryant is long, almost rangy and smooth muscled like a player still coming into his own.
- Nick Reed is a skilled player and does stand out. He stands out for his skill, quickness and contributions, but he also stands out for his size. He's legitimately small for a professional football player. He's not short and oil-can shaped like Darryl Tapp, he's small framed and, well, just small looking. The transition to linebacker might be a necessity.
- A major conversation on the far side of the field was the Montana Testicle Festival. Apparently, it involves hairy naked women eating fried bison testicles. You Seahawks fans, you.
- Seattle ran a stretch right that looked well executed.
- Jamar Adams caught a gimme interception, but did not impress. Logan Payne feasted on him. Payne is a great practice player and I see why he excites, but, y'know, it's practice.
- From the guys you may have never heard of department: Kevin Brown continues to dignify his spot on the roster and, don't look now, but NFL Combine invite defensive end Derek Walker was very active and looked pro-ready and capable. Walker is good deep depth for Redding.
- Nate Burleson might look better because Nate Burleson is no longer Seatte's only deep play threat. He ran a nice three step curl that evidenced he has untapped ability on short routes. Despite great progress after tearing his ACL, his lateral cuts still looked a little stiffer than normal.
- Baraka Atkins is coming along, but still looks a little too slim.
- Lawrence Jackson showed a lot of fight and came to facemasks with, I think, Sean Locklear. He also displayed a good inside move, a move he needs to master to complement his good quickness to the edge. My displeasure with Jackson extends from my firm belief that he is the athletic equal of almost any defensive end and just needs to commit himself to his craft. You won't find a player I'd rather be wrong about, because I was ecstatic when he was drafted.
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Comments
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JM living the dream at multiple practices. Gotta love it. Certainly can’t get enough info – I’m insatiable that way. Keep it coming.
Early prospect watch: RB C.J. Spiller, QB Jevon Snead, OT Ciron Black, DT Gerald McCoy, S Eric Berry, DT Ndamukong Suh, CB Ras-I Dowling 6'2, 200, RB Jonathan Dwyer
by Misfit74 on Aug 10, 2009 1:47 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Bullet point three made me swoon
And I don’t think I’m alone in that.
by shams on Aug 10, 2009 1:56 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
"Jamar Adams caught a gimme touchdown,"
Gimme interception?
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Aug 10, 2009 1:58 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Indeed.
Thanks for the writing, it’s a blast reading it all.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Aug 10, 2009 2:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
What the hell is Ryan Plackemeier doing there?
Is that an old picture?
by FWBrodie on Aug 10, 2009 2:04 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Fudge looks like he's been packing on some weight
/probably not him
by ninjasocks on Aug 10, 2009 2:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, that picture is from last offseason.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Aug 10, 2009 2:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Damn!!!
I know he’s a FA, and I love his inside the 20 game…
I so wish we had a better punter.
Please, for the LOVE OF GOD, stop suggesting next year's 1st round pick (or picks) be used for Taylor Mays and or a QB of the future. Let's just let the season unfold, people, and evaluate much deeper in the process!!!
by whiskey chainsaw on Aug 10, 2009 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I concur regarding Butler
He’s a VERY small guy.
Also – I paid a bit of attention to John Carlson and he’s shown improvement in his cuts, route running, catching/hands and importantly: blocking. I saw him push defenders DEEP into the secondary in multiple plays. I hope this translates to game time, as his blocking skills could use some improvement.
I also have a mancrush on him … I got his autograph on both the front and back of my Carlson jersey haha.
The demise of the Broncos in '09 is our future. Pray hard.
by Nick Andron on Aug 10, 2009 2:17 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
John - any observations on Unger?
I didn’t see much, because the view wasn’t great to watch the interior linemen, but the results looked mixed. His protection was ample, but it seemed like he got pushed around a lot by our bigger boys. Is that just lack of bulk? When you see him on the sideline, he’s not that big of a guy. I think he needs to bulk up in the weight room a little.
The demise of the Broncos in '09 is our future. Pray hard.
by Nick Andron on Aug 10, 2009 2:19 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I didn't have time, but maybe today.
by John Morgan on Aug 10, 2009 2:32 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Okay great. Thanks!
The demise of the Broncos in '09 is our future. Pray hard.
by Nick Andron on Aug 10, 2009 2:35 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Can you divulge more of your thoughts on why
we’ll have growing pains early on with Mebane at 3-tech?
To use a phrase, I’ve been cautiously optimistic overall, most of this offseason and since the start of camp. And then in the end of most of my thoughts allowed to reach a conclusion, I put something of a cap on the possibilities of everything working out, and the extent to which they’ll work out.
But my optimism’s grown by leaps and bounds, all this morning. I’ve been more optimistic (early 2004) but I dunno if I’ve been this excited before.
by jacobstevens on Aug 10, 2009 2:53 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I've been to a few of the practices now
and I have no clue what the hell he means by that because every practice I’ve been to Mebane has been BLOWING UP the offense. He has been the quickest Dlinemen off the snap every single snap and usually gets instant penetration and starts folding the offensive line.
He has broken a lot of runs and passes, more so than any other Dlineman.
I’m not sure what Morgan saw or if it was just a down day for Mebane, but over 3 practices that I went to he looked fantastic.
I Bleed Blue and Green
by DSAhawker on Aug 10, 2009 2:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's the best practice review I read this camp.
Just keep firing the bullet points. I can’t read ’em fast enough.
I'm gonna go calm submissive on your ass.
by Dukeshire on Aug 10, 2009 3:30 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
On TJ...
exactly how much do you believe in him?
Enough that I should let Julius Jones go in my keeper league (he’s my 5th RB right now, but may trade “Beast Mode” Lynch for a WR, so he could be my 4th RB.)
Please, for the LOVE OF GOD, stop suggesting next year's 1st round pick (or picks) be used for Taylor Mays and or a QB of the future. Let's just let the season unfold, people, and evaluate much deeper in the process!!!
by whiskey chainsaw on Aug 10, 2009 4:00 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I've been wondering the same thing
and recently I’m swinging towards Duckett. You can get him very late, like last-round late in a lot of drafts. I think he’s a better bet to score 10 TDs than Jones is, and fantasy is all about the Ted Dansons. Also, Forsett has looked very good, and as the best receiving back (right?) will I think play more and more as the season goes on. Sure seems like he would poach those carries from Jones, not Duckett. Forsett will go undrafted, and he should, but he could easily play himself into an RB4 role if given the chances.
What round pick do you have to give up for Jones?
by shams on Aug 10, 2009 5:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
The way our league works is really complex...
but… we have 40-45 man rosters, salary cap, multi-year contracts (with escalations to force free agency on uncontracted players), and 15 “Freeze” players from year to year.
We’ve adjusted all points so all positions really do score relatively evenly, and we play QB, RB, RB, WR, WR, TE, Flex O, Kicker, Punter, DL, DL, LB, LB, DB, DB, D flex.
Julius Jones is only 5 dollars (a typical starting salary before escalations kick in— means he was drafted at one point in rounds 5-10) and was “frozen” without a salary bump. My particular strategy is freeze your skill position guys and draft your D for the most part, unless you have elite guys on D, the D swings a lot year to year, and we tend to draft them pretty well.
We’re freezing
Aaron Rodger
Matty
Steven Jackson
Ryan Grant
J-Stew
Marshawn Lynch (if the guy declines our trade offer of Lee Evans and a 2010 1st rounder for him)
Julius
Andre Johnson
Deion Branch (i know, hence the trade above)
Antonio Gates
Defensively we’re keeping
Kearney
Mario Williams
Lawrence Timmons
We have 3 spots left to freeze… likely Steve Smith NY, maybe Bobby E in StL, maybe Channing Crowder, LB… maybe even Forsett. (Scared not to and have him have a big pre-season pumping his value up, and we can afford to keep him at $1. It would allow us to make one more trade and get a better backup at other positions too, if Jones is bust-boy…
Also, which Seattle LB do you think scores best this year? We’re going to get one of them, the question is, which one???
Please, for the LOVE OF GOD, stop suggesting next year's 1st round pick (or picks) be used for Taylor Mays and or a QB of the future. Let's just let the season unfold, people, and evaluate much deeper in the process!!!
by whiskey chainsaw on Aug 10, 2009 6:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'd gamble and take Curry
but Tatupu or Hill might be safer picks.
by ASeahawkfan on Aug 10, 2009 6:19 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good lord that's convoluted
I couldn’t begin to offer any analysis of a league like that. Side note: all those players and you really only start two wideouts?
As for your question about LBs, how does IDP scoring go? With Redding eating up double teams it’s not hard to imagine Aaron Curry getting the odd tackle over there on the strong side. ;)
by shams on Aug 10, 2009 6:20 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
If the guy takes the Lynch deal
you should be arrested for fleecing.
by shams on Aug 10, 2009 6:25 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Lynch deal...
was approved, as mentioned in the fanshot thread!
Please, for the LOVE OF GOD, stop suggesting next year's 1st round pick (or picks) be used for Taylor Mays and or a QB of the future. Let's just let the season unfold, people, and evaluate much deeper in the process!!!
by whiskey chainsaw on Aug 12, 2009 11:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Ok, I only have one worry remaining
The Offensive Line simply has to bring it. We’re ready to go to war with every other unit.
by shams on Aug 10, 2009 5:05 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I pretty much feel the same way
Health is the other issue, mostly with Trufant, simply turning too fast on a route at the very beginning of camp should not put him on the PUP for 10 days and counting. Walt, Spencer, Kerney, Hasselbeck. I’m getting the feeling, though, that Kerney not being able to make a big impact might not make a significant difference for this front seven. It’s almost like we’ve schematically mitigated the possibility. And I’m not worried about Hasselbeck, but over the course of the season, particularly if pass protection isn’t stellar, modestly concerned.
So, health, but otherwise, the big question is the line. And regarding them, I am actually moderately optimistic about the line, even to a reasonably worst-case scenario. If we had to go Locklear – Willis in Walt’s absence, and nobody outright wins the RG position, but Spencer is healthy enough, with the assistance of the ZBS and Knapp’s playbook it doesn’t simply equate disaster. But on the other hand, an achilles heel on the line, league-recognized, could pigeonhole the entire offense and unduly burden the defense. So I hope someone actually wins and earns the RG position, but all in all I think it’s equally unlikely for this unit’s performance to suffer like last year as it is to be elite.
by jacobstevens on Aug 10, 2009 5:15 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Uh
I’m not having many positive thoughts about the secondary with Trufant out.
by Hawkhammer19 on Aug 10, 2009 5:39 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No Trufant in the secondary
would be devastating.
by ASeahawkfan on Aug 10, 2009 6:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Go outside and spit three times
Now, please.
by shams on Aug 10, 2009 6:10 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
So I just said above I was keeping Kearney...
do you think that an unwise decision?
What do we think are predictions for his performance this year???
Please, for the LOVE OF GOD, stop suggesting next year's 1st round pick (or picks) be used for Taylor Mays and or a QB of the future. Let's just let the season unfold, people, and evaluate much deeper in the process!!!
by whiskey chainsaw on Aug 10, 2009 6:13 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Superficially good on that the stat sheet until he injures himself again or falls off the decline cliff.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Aug 10, 2009 6:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Well, did you see the post I wrote
about the left tackles we will face this year? We should be able to do some damage from RDE, facing only two of the top ten LTs and eleven rated 20th or below. The question is, will it be Kerney, Tapp, Nick Reed, or the Mariner Moose getting those sacks?
We all try to mitigate expectations with certain players, but for some reason it comes easily for me with Kerney. I really hope he does well. I was pleased to read today that he has been deliberately going easy all through camp. Really, the guy is a huge question mark. He could have ten sacks and a huge year or disappear.
by shams on Aug 10, 2009 6:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Has Kearney played RDE before with the Seahawks?
It seems I remember him briefly there, and not very effective against LTs. Or maybe I’m thinking of someone else?
by Groundhog on Aug 11, 2009 12:44 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not sure
but he did with the Falcons. Wikipedia: “In 2006 Kerney moved to right defensive end as a starter and moved to left defensive end in passing situations (newly acquired free agent John Abraham played right defensive end in in those situations).”
by shams on Aug 11, 2009 1:51 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm not as worried about the O-line
though it could hurt us early in the season.
In 2007 Matt threws for nearly 4000 yards behind Walt, Sims (when he was playing bad), Spencer, Gray (the year before he retired), and Locklear. We lost Mack very early in the season and an inexperienced Weaver was the primary extra blocker. Matt still made it work as the line solidified.
We had less of a run game in 2007 than we had this year as well and arguably a worst receiviing corps.
It’ll be a blow to lose Walt. But we might be able to survive. I hope we won’t have to though. I’m sure Walt wants to play this season with all the positive energy circulating around the team and the iron man will probably make it on the field and grit out the season. Walt is Walt. You practically have to kill him to get him to sit.
by ASeahawkfan on Aug 10, 2009 6:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Holy crap,
I haven’t thought about Chris Gray for months. Thank God he wasn’t around last season, at least we got a look at Wrotto and Vallos in his stead.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Aug 10, 2009 8:18 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't like to down on Gray.
He was a warrior for Seattle. He gave us everything he got.
I know he was much maligned in 2006 and 2007. But he did not too bad in pass protection.
But we do have younger upgrades now. That is one reason why I think this O-line can be better than 2007’s O-line, and they did good job of giving Matt time to throw. I just hope they have the pride to play through pain and stand up to the weekly beating. It’s also good to recall that Pitt won the Super Bowl last year with a fairly pedestrian O-line that let Ben R get sacked like crazy and didn’t exactly light it up in the run game either.
But if our O-line isn’t that good, we definitely are going to need a really stellar defensive performance. I just hope the D-line is much, much better this year.
Need more John Morgan D-ilne reports with a focus on Cole and Lo-Jack. I’m sold on Redding, Mebane, and Kerney as premier starters. I’m sold on Terrill, Tapp, and Red being solid depth. I’m not sold on Cole and Lo-Jack. I’m getting closer to be sold on Cole, but Lo-Jack is pissing me off with his lack of development and seeming bad attitude. He’s getting in fights, but not getting better.
I’m wonder if Lo-Jack really thought he’d just step into the NFL and things would come easy to him. I wonder if works that hard in the offseason. I wonder if he has even bothered to learn new pass rush moves, work on his strength, and shows a passion to improve like Mebane or some of our other best guys. I hope Dan Quinn helps this guy get his confidence back and gets him moving in the right direction. We need him to to be at least solid this year.
by ASeahawkfan on Aug 10, 2009 9:21 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I've found Jackson frustrating to watch too.
The practice I saw on Saturday, he very clearly held Ray Willis during a drill and nearly pulled him toward the ground, and seemed to get pissed when Willis gave him a light shove/tap.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Aug 10, 2009 10:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
As for Gray, I didn't dislike him, but there's no denying he was one of the worst starting offensive players we had the last several years.
He was sort of like the Brian Russell of the offense; the guy everyone clearly recognized as the weak link but the coaches seemed to be fine with continuing to let him start.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Aug 10, 2009 11:02 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
SWEET SHAUN at least had the reputation and off chance he could return to former glory.
Gray was a guy they were always looking to replace.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Aug 13, 2009 9:31 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I just hate that I keep reading a "featured story" from ages ago...
Chris Gray Retires
by John Morgan about 1 year ago
8 comments | 0 recs
Ugh. I’d post 3 duplicate blank featured stories just to get rid of the ones listed…
Please, for the LOVE OF GOD, stop suggesting next year's 1st round pick (or picks) be used for Taylor Mays and or a QB of the future. Let's just let the season unfold, people, and evaluate much deeper in the process!!!
by whiskey chainsaw on Aug 12, 2009 11:33 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh For the Love of God!
First off, John Great excerpts! I love the “slice of life” style of these types of includes. I have been reading (albeit not participating) since I joined; however, I feel compelled to come out of commenting retirement over this one.
Secondly… (yes caps) WHY IN THE NAME OF GOD…. did I get lambasted for my use of the adjective “stout” when describing Colin Cole last year? Not one person takes umbrage with your use of the same term.
Bring Your Game, Leave Your Name.
by iverson2169 on Aug 10, 2009 7:18 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Maybe you said "stout against the run"
but I don’t remember for sure.
by John Morgan on Aug 10, 2009 8:12 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Umm... nope
“Does it strike anyone else as a bit odd….that Bradley and Co. have repeatedly stated we are a speed based 4-3 gap control defense, and yet all the additions so far have been in the 3-4 mold?
- Beefier run support DE’s (Redding) and…
- Stout Nose Tackles (Cole)"
My comments were clearly a commentary on his girth, yet he next 6-8 comments all ripped into my use of “stout”.
Bring Your Game, Leave Your Name.
by iverson2169 on Aug 13, 2009 4:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Seriously, he's not stout.
He’s amber ale, maybe pale ale, but not stout.
Bad puns….ah, how I love them.
by thebyron on Aug 13, 2009 12:22 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
A guy named "Cole" can't be pale ale
Oh I thought you were ASKING for more bad puns.
by jacobstevens on Aug 13, 2009 5:00 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Let's just hope he's not moose drool....
Bring Your Game, Leave Your Name.
by iverson2169 on Aug 13, 2009 5:30 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs
I dunno if speed-based gap control is accurate
but the gyst of your question is about moving to the 3-4. If you’ve looked at any of the discussions on here about what the West Coast Defense might be (something that I’ve become for some reason singularly obsessed with far above and beyond any other facet of the team this year), I think they’ve got something else up their sleeves.
They’ve been using the bigger linemen in different ways, sliding guys between tackle & end, right before the snap. I think the emphasis on size is mostly a way to free up the LBs to have more of an impact, because they’re so talented and cost so much they better make more of an impact than just being good linebackers. A lot more situational stuff, so we’ve got Tapp and Atkins and less, uh, stout guys on the line as well as some new big bodies, to suit real running situations and real passing situations.
by jacobstevens on Aug 13, 2009 4:59 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thats exactly what my point was last year...
That Bradley and Co. had continually been talking about speed based gap control, and yet all the DL additions were in the 3-4 mold.
Bring Your Game, Leave Your Name.
by iverson2169 on Aug 13, 2009 5:29 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Have they really talked speed based gap control though?
If so, I haven’t noticed. And it seems like some 3-4 concepts, like Tapp roaming and choosing a gap, Redding at DE with Hill or Curry Blitzing, are involved in our nickle defense, but it is hard to imagine we would see an actual 3-4 lined up this year.
by cashless on Aug 14, 2009 12:34 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Haha!
Good to see you, even if it’ll be short.
by cashless on Aug 10, 2009 10:01 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I haven't gone anywhere actually...
Just haven’t been posting. Thanks for the shout cash.
Bring Your Game, Leave Your Name.
by iverson2169 on Aug 13, 2009 4:14 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I get worried about Trufant until
I remind myself that there is over one month until the regular season opener. 32 days in fact. Four preseason games. Two rounds of cuts. A long long time.
They are just being careful with him. Give him another week to get right and then plug him in. They know what they get with Trufant. No need to rush him back. That extra roster spot is paying off.
I can’t wait to see these guys play on Saturday. John- great practice recap. Too bad there won’t be one today. Practice has been moved inside.
I feel a lot better about a D-End combo of Cory Redding and Darryl Tapp than I do about a combo of Baraka “the invisible man” Atkins and Lawrence Jackson. Fingers crossed for Kerney to resemble his former self.
by Section 128 on Aug 11, 2009 8:27 AM PDT reply actions 0 recs
Trufant will be fine
Don’t worry about him. Save your worries and hopeful prayers for Matt, Patrick and Walter.
The demise of the Broncos in '09 is our future. Pray hard.
by Nick Andron on Aug 11, 2009 9:36 AM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Apparently Tatupu has been sitting out of practice
gulp
by rex92 on Aug 11, 2009 1:07 PM PDT reply actions 0 recs
I heard Hasselbeck say today that these camps have been very, very hard
So general soreness for Tatupu sounds like plausible enough sand for me to bury my head in.
by Nate Dogg on Aug 11, 2009 1:58 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
I thought they were just giving him a breather.
"Part, fools!
Put up your swords. You know not what you do."
by Fearless Frog on Aug 11, 2009 2:17 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
He sat to rest, there's no injury or cause for concern.
And it’s Taps, he’s earned the right to take a day off.
RLTW!
by Airborne Hawk Guy on Aug 11, 2009 2:37 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh. Good. But I don't think I need
to explain my anxiety after last year
by rex92 on Aug 11, 2009 3:56 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs
No serious injuries yet
but I get the same feeling. I think the worst for me was when Tubbs made it back a few years ago after injury, played in the last preseason (his first) and then BOOM, no more Tubbs again. God that sucked.
by B.B.Finnegan on Aug 11, 2009 7:11 PM PDT up reply actions 0 recs

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