Notes from Seattle Seahawks Training Camp, Part 2

by John Morgan on Aug 13, 2009 1:07 PM PDT

Justin Forsett was more involved in pass drills than last season. Greg Knapp likes to run play-action and then pass to his running backs and his running backs should all be able to catch. Forsett was especially active out of shotgun formations. That foreshadows his early role with the team this season: third-down back. Force has good hands, and his redirect is clean, but his routes are elementary if not unrefined. So it was nice to seem him run a play-action out of shotgun and then curl into the flat. Expect to see that play in the season, and given his skill-set, it could be a winner for Seattle.
Devin Moore attacks the edges. Seattle was attacking the edges a great deal in Monday's training camp. Moore is destined to start on Seattle's practice squad and if and when he ever breaks the roster, he looks exclusively like an edge and outside rusher. He broke an arm tackle in practice.
John Carlson motioned out of split backs and to tight end.
Aaron Curry ruled pass rush drills. He has great acceleration, size and pass rush technique. He will be a factor on blitzes if Seattle blitzes him both off the edge and between the tackles. It's the latter he looks potentially excellent at. In one drill, he ran past Owen Schmitt. Minutes later, the two collided with a resounding "crack".
Seattle executed a successful screen pass to the right side. Expect Julius Jones to be regularly targeted on screen passes.
Jordan Kent is two steps from being good. He has good hands and tracks the ball well. His athleticism is a given. He loses focus in traffic and can be knocked off his route. I hate to drop a noun that has connotations of manliness or the lack thereof, but Kent needs toughness. Kent needs to accept football is a hitting sport and thrive in it.
Curry slapped around Forsett in pass rush drills. It exhilarated a very ugly part of the soul like a good medieval stoning.
Heater looks like he can blitz. See if Seattle blitzes David Hawthorne on Saturday. Hawthorne is designated a middle linebacker, but I think he has the best skill-set to replace Leroy Hill in a pinch. He burst through the backfield on a run play and closed on Duckett, but it was a bad angle and even a man who relishes contact like Hawthorne can't take down a larger man with a step, angling the other direction. It would have taken a legendary arm-tackler like Rey Lewis to sink Duckett for a loss.
The player that broke Kent's concentration in traffic? Kelly Jennings. I expect Jennings to start for Marcus Trufant for as long as Trufant is out.
Michael Bumpus is the antipode of Jordan Kent.
On back to back plays, Brandon Mebane tore through Rob Sims. On the second he completed a pincers attack with Darryl Tapp. Matt Hasselbeck was the unlucky recipient of both.
Ben Obomanu came back to a pass that was otherwise in traffic. That's not a skill I've seen much from Obomanu and so it was encouraging.
Jordan Babineaux sacked Seneca Wallace on a safety blitz. Seattle was frequently blitzed its DBs.
That revealed Ray Willis's continued weakness against the edge rush. If only we had a young, skilled, developing and cheap tight end that could help chip edge rushers and minimize Willis' one damning weakness. Then Willis would be a two-ton, pneumatic clobbering machine. If only.
Michael Bennett suddenly appeared and played football. Consistency is a term rightfully lampooned, but if we can unpin our grammar rodeo ribbons for a second, I think we all know what coach's mean contextually when they say "consistency". And that's a player that fights every snap.
I saw Aaron Curry play end.
Not much info on Max Unger, but Mebane bent him like wheat in the wind and then dropped him entirely. Unger, so polished, so good at football, is learning so many positions that he might be a bit slow getting up to speed.
Darryl Tapp had the sweetest move of training camp. In team drills, he exploded towards Kyle Williams, got Williams backpedaling, then dropped his shoulders, did this freaky bob-weave, lulled Williams into a trance and exploded again through and past Williams for a sack. Let it be known now that if Seattle fails to re-sign Tapp, I will summon a plague on Renton's first born.
Mr. Raw is likely Seattle's starting right guard. Mansfield Wrotto is raw like unfinished, and raw like, nasty, hardcore and sanguinary. He defused Craig Terrill's spin move and then effortlessly slid Terrill wide. If this is a sign of development as a pass protector - Oh and it is - Wrotto could be fulfilling the talent that got him drafted. Somewhere Darrell Jackson picks his foot-long goatee.
Sims contained Mebane. Mebane was auditioning a spin move.
Red Bryant doubled-over Mansfield Wrotto the wrong way. Wrotto is hugely powerful and has great leverage. Bryant is another species.
Nick Reed put an inside move on Williams and slid past him. He also showed a good swim move. Unger matched skill with Reed and won.
After practice and across the field I saw Derek Walker head down, two helmets in each hand, slumping towards the VMAC. Walker has been so impressive to me, but I don't think he is getting recognition from the coaches. So I said to Walker "stick with it, you're doing good out there." He looked surprised.

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So much good stuff. If I may...

Curry slapped around Forsett in pass rush drills. It exhilarated a very ugly part of the soul like a good medieval stoning

This one stung. Too honest.

Let it be known now that if Seattle fails to re-sign Tapp, I will summon a plague on Renton’s first born.

’Nuff said.

Red Bryant doubled-over Mansfield Wrotto the wrong way. Wrotto is hugely powerful and has great leverage. Bryant is another species

Mmmm, Cornbread.

I'm gonna go calm submissive on your ass.

by Dukeshire on Aug 13, 2009 1:30 PM PDT reply actions

Great stuff.

Let it be known now that if Seattle fails to re-sign Tapp, I will summon a plague on Renton’s first born.

From what I hear about Renton, this isn’t necessary.

If only we had a young, skilled, developing and cheap tight end that could help chip edge rushers and minimize Willis’ one damning weakness. Then Willis would be a two-ton, pneumatic clobbering machine. If only.

Is this in reference to Carlson, Newton, or Morrah? I’m guessing Newton? Or Owens, did we sign him?

by LantermanC on Aug 13, 2009 1:39 PM PDT reply actions

Carlson

who should play for 70%+ of Seattle’s snaps. I think Owens will see something like 30%.

by John Morgan on Aug 13, 2009 1:42 PM PDT up reply actions

Enough with the sarcasm

we all know you’re really talking about Tereshinksi

by B.B.Finnegan on Aug 13, 2009 1:48 PM PDT up reply actions

Kent is just so damn tantilizing

I get overly stoked about every indication I read that he’s turning the corner, just because it would be so damn awesome if/when it happens.

I agree, “toughness” isn’t probably the most apt word because of the negative connotations. It seems like a more instinctual thing to me, and his lack of them because he’s so new to the sport. It’d probably be an easier transition if he had been a PF’s in basketball – have a little more of the physicality ingrained in him. But because he was a SF/G it’s likely quite the opposite – more used to playing in space, and avoiding contact. Unlike Gates, who’s B-Ball experience helped him, Kent probably has a lifetime of ingrained instincts that he has to overcome.

by jteckmann on Aug 13, 2009 1:44 PM PDT reply actions

agreed

but Kent breaks my heart every year. One more chance for him, but I’m getting tired of being tantalized by a guy who stars in the preseason and then can’t compete in regular season games. His height and leaping ability would give Matt a whole new weapon he does not currently have. His speed is more than enough to stretch the field and scare DBs.

But the success of WRs usually comes down to whether they can separate from starting CBs and catch in traffic under pressure. Last year, Kent could not do enough of either.

Here’s hoping he breaks through this year. What a difference-maker he could be.

by Stevo's on Aug 14, 2009 8:54 AM PDT up reply actions

At least Kent DOES star in the preseason.

I’m tired of the guys who light it up in practice (I’m looking at YOU, Payne and Taylor) and can’t even look good against z-string competition.

Also, I have a question for people who’ve paid more attention to Kent than I have. Is he really as fast as advertised on the field? Like, a true burner with field-stretching speed, akin to someone like Vincent Jackson, Randy Moss or Nate Washington?

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

by Fearless Frog on Aug 14, 2009 11:00 AM PDT up reply actions

Yes

grain of salt for the competition he faced, but yeah, he got downfield fast. I know statements like this quickly degrade the respect for one’s integrity, but honestly the way his body moves, reminds me a lot of Randy Moss. Moves on the field and moving for the ball. Moss is more than adequate on running routes, and Kent isn’t, but Moss isn’t a master of routes and separation like Holt or Engram; it’s his superior ability to simply move where he wants, that enables his ability to separate. I think Kent possesses that. Moss also catches anything. Kent’s hands are showing to be pretty dependable, though.

by jacobstevens on Aug 14, 2009 12:18 PM PDT up reply actions

For perspective

keep in mind that last year was really the only time your heart had a right to break. There were zero expectations (and equal likelihood) for him to have been ready in 2007. And last year, he relatively shined in the preseason, but yeah was still quite rough around the edges.

However, keep in mind that in real games, he was only given one chance. One game, 4 targets (situationally important targets), no catches. No separation or correct placement/timing to warrant more than 4 targets. He wasn’t ready, but he only had the one shot before he was cut. Not that he justified an active roster spot — definitely did not last year after the plague broke out — but were he on the active roster for 16 games, how ready would he be now?

by jacobstevens on Aug 14, 2009 12:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Symptoms

All the defensive dominance sounds good, but is that indicative of a weak offensive line?

by curtofranklin on Aug 13, 2009 1:45 PM PDT reply actions

Somewhat

I wouldn’t say weak, but transitioning. Also, first team defense tends to play against second team offense.

by John Morgan on Aug 13, 2009 1:53 PM PDT up reply actions

and this is typical in preseason, isn't it?

seems to me that the D always comes together more quickly in camp and preseason every year. The offensive line work and rhythm always takes longer to gel.

by Stevo's on Aug 14, 2009 8:57 AM PDT up reply actions

Hopefully it indicates the D-line is seriously good

There is a chance that this group turns out to be a top 10 D-line that really rips teams apart. Alot of good players across the line.

Mebane got 5.5 sacks at the one tech last year. That is pretty impressive. Most one techs don’t come close to that many sacks. If this move to the three tech works, Mebane should blow up. Main thing is Cole has to do this job because very few lineman should be able to handle big Brandon “The Dancing Bear” Mebane one on one.

Then toss in Cory “The Mercedes” Redding and Patrick “I work out like a maniac” Kerney and we should have overload on the D-line.

If Colin Cole is even an average NT, this D-line should be above average. If Colin Cole works out to be an above average DT, above average meaning he draws the double team 70 to 80% of the time, this D-line should be one of the top D-lines in the league this year.

by ASeahawkfan on Aug 14, 2009 12:08 AM PDT up reply actions

I love it

Good post. I love nothing better than watching these D line rotations and I can’t wait to start watching the new rotations in games. I agree that being stout at 2-gap DT is essential to improving the line, and that’s why Cole was signed. But I’m not so sure that he will be the only key to this.

Red Bryant may give Cole a real run for his money and take a lot of snaps. Bryant is still young and could continue to get bigger. Cole could end up being the back-up just like he was in Green Bay.

by Stevo's on Aug 14, 2009 9:03 AM PDT up reply actions

The problem with that is that Cole is earning a starter's salary.

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

by Fearless Frog on Aug 14, 2009 11:05 AM PDT up reply actions

The thing I most worry about in regards to Mebane's transition to the three-tech is his pass-rush moves.

From what I saw last season, most of his sacks were just plain bull-rushes. And hustle sacks on long-developing plays.

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

by Fearless Frog on Aug 14, 2009 11:06 AM PDT up reply actions

I think Mebane will get his pass rush moves down

if they are needed. I always figured three techs were the bull rushers of the D-line. His speed and power will carry him through. The smaller ends I always figured needed the repertoire of pass rush moves.

Even at 301 Mebane will be a load to handle. We’ll see how many interior lineman can handle him one on one.

by ASeahawkfan on Aug 14, 2009 12:02 PM PDT up reply actions

Not quite

3-tech means B-gap assignment, the idea being to get into the backfield and disrupt and make plays, and the 1-tech to enable him to get in there. He tries to blow through the gap, blow by the blockers, but not spend a lot of time (or any if possible) engaging with the guard.

If Mebane primarily bull-rushed, and he & Cole were the interior, Jason Brown and Jacob Bell have the ability to neutralize him in the first week, arguably the closest thing we’ve got to a gimme game all year (Detroit possibly excepting). We don’t want that, I wouldn’t call bull rush an adequate repertoire for a three tech.

by jacobstevens on Aug 14, 2009 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions

Unger was on Portland's 95.5 FM a couple of days ago

He said that he was starting out at G because C requires a much better understanding of the offense.

/95.5FM is a “flagship Seahawks station” that doesn’t seem to offer coverage of any Seahawks news that doesn’t involve former Oregon or Oregon state players.

by ninjasocks on Aug 13, 2009 1:56 PM PDT reply actions

Wait a minute!

You mean they talked about something other than the Blazers?!? Someone will lose their job for that.

I'm gonna go calm submissive on your ass.

by Dukeshire on Aug 13, 2009 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions

There's no one to fire

95.5 hires its personnel like the Memphis Grizzlies—cheap as possible with no regard for performance or popularity. They’ve only got like 5 guys on staff (the fat frat guy-wannabe, the Jim Rome impersonator, the old guy, the whiny local sportswriter with a big head, and filler) and they can’t be paid all that much. Anything they’d replace them with, I imagine, would be more expensive.

by ninjasocks on Aug 13, 2009 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Yes, it is awful, even by sports talk standards. And that is quite a condemnation.

The whiny, big head guy is John Canzano. His prowess for stating the easiest and least insightful comments imaginable is only surpassed by the blatant pandering he passes off as a sports column in the Oregonian.

I'm gonna go calm submissive on your ass.

by Dukeshire on Aug 13, 2009 2:29 PM PDT up reply actions

Canzano is a troll

The way he blew up the Roy contract negotiations into such a big deal is really pathetic. He has such a hard time writing interesting, factual stories that he need to turn every event (or non-event) into a crisis.

But the guy that gets to me is the wannabe-frat dude in the morning who doesn’t really understand much about sports. He’s just obnoxious.

by ninjasocks on Aug 13, 2009 2:52 PM PDT up reply actions

Does PDX still have the AM station?

I don’t remember this 95.5, but it’s been a few years since I lived there. The AM station had Cowherd when he was still local and Ian, who managed to follow me back up here (/shudders). But it was ESPN, and had Dan Patrick on most of the day, and overall was bearable.

by jteckmann on Aug 13, 2009 3:09 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah, I listen to that sometimes

The programming is better but doesn’t seem to be more local and the sound quality is horrible (really flat, muted and quiet). Its also usually easier for me to flip back and forth between 95.5 and NPR on my morning drive.

by ninjasocks on Aug 13, 2009 3:27 PM PDT up reply actions

I love this piece

I saw Aaron Curry play end.

Yes, go on.

by Nate Dogg on Aug 13, 2009 1:57 PM PDT reply actions

/edge of seat

The demise of the Broncos in '09 is our future. Pray hard.

by Nick Andron on Aug 13, 2009 2:18 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

This topic is relevant to my interests.

Child please...

by Airborne Hawk Guy on Aug 13, 2009 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions

This was felt at the Mt. Saint Helens observatory.

Minutes later, the two collided with a resounding “crack”.

Child please...

by Airborne Hawk Guy on Aug 13, 2009 2:18 PM PDT reply actions

Bonus note I forgot to include

Seneca Wallace ran a read option.

Tebow?

by John Morgan on Aug 13, 2009 2:19 PM PDT reply actions

Is Seneca offering free circumcisions after practice?

/shudders

Child please...

by Airborne Hawk Guy on Aug 13, 2009 2:21 PM PDT up reply actions

Tim Tebow = Vince Young without the NFL experience

I’d rather you not insult our awesome backup QB.

by ninjasocks on Aug 13, 2009 2:44 PM PDT up reply actions

the sad thing is

a very large number of fans would object to that because Tebow’s wonderlick score is going to be high and he is so much “smarter”

by Hancock.Brett on Aug 13, 2009 2:46 PM PDT up reply actions

Honestly

I think Vince Young was better at throwing the ball. I’m talking about from a skills/abilities perspective and not statistical perspective.

[DELETED ZOMG NO POLITICS]

by bluemax on Aug 13, 2009 3:08 PM PDT up reply actions

agreed

I’m saying that the large portion of NFL fans out there are practically lining up to falate Tebow when his mechanics, accuracy, and nfl readiness are all just as suspect as Vince Young’s.

by Hancock.Brett on Aug 13, 2009 3:10 PM PDT up reply actions

Plus, Tebow is so dislikeable.

You like god, we get it.

I'm gonna go calm submissive on your ass.

by Dukeshire on Aug 13, 2009 3:25 PM PDT up reply actions

He remains a proud virgin too!

I mean, not to be crude but any guy in his position could mow through co-eds like a scythe. I don’t think there’s any guy on this forum who could leave on the table what he has. I’m not exactly sure what that says, but it’s something.

by shams on Aug 13, 2009 5:15 PM PDT up reply actions

I hate him.

I'm gonna go calm submissive on your ass.

by Dukeshire on Aug 13, 2009 6:05 PM PDT up reply actions

Maybe he just doesn't like girls

And is too hot for Jesus to go for dudes.

by ninjasocks on Aug 13, 2009 6:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Lord knows what I would do if I were him.

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

by Fearless Frog on Aug 13, 2009 7:22 PM PDT up reply actions

Don't you mean who you would do?

(insert rim shot, here)

I'm gonna go calm submissive on your ass.

by Dukeshire on Aug 13, 2009 7:54 PM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

www.instantrimshot.com

And very well deserved.

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

by Fearless Frog on Aug 13, 2009 9:25 PM PDT up reply actions

rofl!

by Stevo's on Aug 14, 2009 9:07 AM PDT up reply actions

Confirmation that he's a horrible person, I'm sure.

by jacobstevens on Aug 14, 2009 12:34 PM PDT up reply actions

"We get it."

“We” not referring to SI, apparently….their Tebow piece two weeks ago almost made me cancel my subscription. If I want a sermon, I’ll go to church. Sundays are for football in my world.

by thebyron on Aug 13, 2009 9:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Seattle executed a successful screen pass to the right side.

And then jesus, satan, and santa clause walked out onto the practice field?

by Hancock.Brett on Aug 13, 2009 2:41 PM PDT reply actions

Man that movie was not good.

I’m ashamed to admit that I’ve seen it 10+ times though. Stupid holidays and their conspiracy to have nothing good on for 3 weeks straight except college football and Scrooged.

by LantermanC on Aug 13, 2009 2:45 PM PDT up reply actions

awful movie

but it had Tim Allen in it so that should have been assumed. Cable networks should be allowed to show 2 christmas movies during the holidays when not showing college football. A Christmas Story and National Lampoons Xmas Vacation.

by Hancock.Brett on Aug 13, 2009 2:47 PM PDT reply actions

They should all only be allowed to show The Ref

by B.B.Finnegan on Aug 13, 2009 2:51 PM PDT up reply actions

A few points that I concur with, along w/ a question or two:

*Tapp has been a Freeney-like monster off the edge. (I had same camp observation, and he torched Lock, too)
*Bryant is another beast altogether. (Monster)
*Re-signing Tapp might be at the expense of Kerney, but who would you choose at the end of this season. No brainer.
*I wonder if you noticed TE Owens catching passes. I did and was surprised by that, esp. in goal-line drills.
*Who the he|| is Derek Walker?
*If Redding makes it through the year healthy, re-signing him should be an important consideration, IMO.

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 13, 2009 4:01 PM PDT reply actions

This write up made me giddy

I have dreams of TEs and FBs getting thrown to the side by Curry like a group of midgets attacking a giant. I can’t wait to see this dude and from what it sounds Saturday is the day we get to see Curry in action.

Mebane sounds like a monster on at the three tech.

This D-line’s time has come. Time to destroy everything in their path.

Need more info on Cole. Hopefully we see what he can do come this Saturday.

by ASeahawkfan on Aug 14, 2009 12:02 AM PDT reply actions