Mike Sando's Observations from Training Camp

by John Morgan on Aug 17, 2009 6:39 PM PDT

Mike Sando checks in from Seahawks training camp. The significance of practice is diminished with the start of the preseason, but Sando is a respected voice in Seahawks coverage and now that he covers the entire NFC West, it has become a rare treat to get his first-hand impressions of Seahawks camp.

Of specific interest to me is rookies, and young players playing a new position.

Offensive coordinator Greg Knapp used the word "outstanding" -- for a rookie -- to describe how Unger played against the Chargers in the exhibition opener.

No great surprise, as Unger was polished coming out of college and a skilled and versatile lineman. Excellent for a rookie is not excellent, but is exactly the kind of performance the Seahawks want. Unger moved well and looked assignment correct, but most important to me was he didn't look outmatched against a very powerful San Diego front three.

Knapp saw good things from Owen Schmitt, but the fullback needs to work on finishing blocks. He also incorrectly reverted to cut blocking in a short-yardage situation. Overall, though, Knapp sounded encouraged.

I want to hear good things about Owen Schmitt because I want Owen Schmitt to start. I think technique and execution will lag for Schmitt, and if they lag bad enough, it could cost him his job. Which would be a waste, because his ferocity and knack for explosive blocks on the move already make him a valuable player. Knapp praising him, however conditional, is a good sign Schmitt is securing his starting fullback spot.

First-round choice Aaron Curry got seven plays at defensive end even though he had never participated in pass-rush drills against offensive linemen in camp, coach Jim Mora said. He will get more practice work in that capacity.

One of which came in San Diego's final drive to end the first quarter. Curry started at right defensive end and dropped into cover when Seattle blitzed David Hawthorne. Unfortunately, Curry confused his assignment and covered the middle instead of the flat. That allowed Legedu Naanee to round into the flat and cut upfield uncovered. He received for 14 and the first.

I have no problem at all with Curry being a little raw out there or the coaching staff pushing him hard in the preseason. Special talent should be challenged, because it might struggle, but it grows in bounds.

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"The Seahawks are experimenting with combinations on their offensive line"

" Sean Locklear is getting work at right guard. He could play there during the regular season depending on how the other positions shake out. Having Walter Jones back frees up Locklear."

“One potential line combination, left to right, could consist of Jones, Rob Sims, Spencer, Locklear and Ray Willis.”

Hmmmmm . . . Willis is supposed to be the better run-blocker and Lock the better pass-blocker, right? I wonder what this says about Lock’s future at LT or how long Walt is expected to stick around?

“Coaches gave starting center Chris Spencer a few plays off during team drills, allowing rookie Max Unger to get more experience.”

It seems like they’re trying a bunch of different combinations, but maybe not Spencer at G (which has been suggested once in a while).

by ninjasocks on Aug 17, 2009 8:32 PM PDT reply actions

Spencer is probably more valuable at center.

Since we now have two division rivals converting to a full 3-4 alignment, as crappy as their nose tackles are.

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

by Fearless Frog on Aug 17, 2009 9:44 PM PDT up reply actions

It turns out that maybe they were just sitting Spencer

According to Eric Williams

by ninjasocks on Aug 17, 2009 9:49 PM PDT up reply actions

To Unger's credit

He did well against SD’s starting 3, all of whom are monsterous men.

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

by Nick Andron on Aug 18, 2009 8:02 AM PDT up reply actions

I thought he was RG through the first half

and that he didn’t play center until the second half.

by ninjasocks on Aug 18, 2009 9:25 AM PDT up reply actions

Correct.

by BrianL on Aug 18, 2009 9:36 AM PDT up reply actions

Ah true.

So I guess he wasn’t lining up against their NT. My bad.

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

by Nick Andron on Aug 18, 2009 10:29 AM PDT up reply actions

But Luis Castillo was playing LE, so Unger did line up against him some.

And Luis Castillo is a badass.

by cashless on Aug 18, 2009 1:17 PM PDT up reply actions

Sando said a reporter suggested that Walt left practice early,

but Eric Williams reports a bit more.

“The health of Walter Jones is becoming a growing concern, as he asked out of a team drill during this afternoon’s practice, wincing in pain as he knelt alongside a team trainer.”

http://blog.thenewstribune.com/seahawks/2009/08/17/training-camp-day-15-walter-jones-leaves-practice-early/

I'm gonna go calm submissive on your ass.

by Dukeshire on Aug 17, 2009 8:43 PM PDT reply actions

ouch

I know it doesn’t mean much in mid-August to see Walt still sitting out practices, but realistically I feel like I need to start getting my mind around the idea of a Seahawk team without Walter Jones. I think Locklear can be an adequate LOT, and Willis can be a very good ROT, but still, its hard to fathom the end of Walt’s career. Knocking Wood.

by Stevo's on Aug 17, 2009 8:58 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm in the same boat

After I heard about how many practices he’s had and how many occasions he’s been limping / in pain / whathaveyou, I’ve pretty much written Walt off in my head. It’s a bummer his career is coming to an end. He was an utterly phenomenal player.

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

by Nick Andron on Aug 17, 2009 9:10 PM PDT up reply actions

To be quite honest,

I really don’t consider Walt when I think about the possible line combos. I mean, I’d love to have him as he’s still a fantastic player despite his age, but it wouldn’t be wise to bank on him, especially playing all 16 games. If he’s fine, all the more power to him, I consider it a bonus.

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

by Fearless Frog on Aug 17, 2009 9:46 PM PDT up reply actions

I think if he's in so much pain in the preseason, we might think about moving on.

I know that offensive linemen are good at shuffling positions, but I really think this line needs time to gel and we might as well get started thinking about post-Walt Seahawk football. Let’s get Locklear the reps he needs to start protecting Matt’s blindside.

by djafrot on Aug 17, 2009 9:49 PM PDT up reply actions

just one more thought

along with my trepidation that the end of Walt’s career may indeed be imminent, let’s just remember for a moment that Walt has not played healthy in the past couple of years. He’s played injured and played in pain and at the same time he’s outplayed nearly every opponent he faced. The man is a rock and he just may grit his teeth, refuse to leave the field, and continue to solidify the left side better than Locklear can.

But like some expressed above, I hope that if the coaches need to make the call to move on without him, they do it early and get the new line playing together sooner rather than later.

by Stevo's on Aug 17, 2009 11:46 PM PDT up reply actions

Keeping Walter in the mix

would also mean there are more O-line combinations to work on/out. Part of me sees that as hampering the learning curve for those guys. I’d rather each guy (especially Unger, the lineman with the least experience) be ironing out finer points at a specific position than becoming a jack of all trades. Not that versatility is a bad thing but there’s a delicate balance between it and expertise.

Walter’s skill probably outweighs any deficiencies that could result but I do hope the coaches can narrow down the starting combination(s) they want sooner rather than later.

Glenn Beck likes argument, but has a deap-seated hatred for logic.

by Cheddar28 on Aug 18, 2009 12:08 AM PDT up reply actions

I look at it this way - who is the best O-lineman Seattle has?

Walt. Even the knocked up, semi-Walt we’ve seen over the last couple of years is still easily the best on this current line. I can’t believe Locklear et al don’t learn by simply practicing and playing next to him. The only reason to let him go is if the FO believes injuries have caused his playing value to fall too far in relation to his current hit against the cap. Otherwise, let the man do what he does best, and let those who may one day take his place absoarb every last bit of learning they can while he is still there.

by JamesMurphy on Aug 18, 2009 2:53 AM PDT up reply actions

What makes you think that they DON'T learn by playing with Walter Jones?

To me, it’s not that they don’t, but rather that they don’t have his talent.

Sam Bradford, future Seattle Seahawk.

by Carl Shinyama on Aug 18, 2009 3:28 AM PDT up reply actions

I believe they do learn.

Having a future Hall of Famer next to them can only help maximise what, admittedly lesser, talent they have. And apologies for the horrible double negative in the sentence you referred to – could hardly make out want I meant myself on reading it again.

by JamesMurphy on Aug 18, 2009 12:00 PM PDT up reply actions