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Around SBN: The Most Dangerous Division in Sports

First Hand Final Minicamp Notes

So, I'm not sure if you remember, but a little while back there was a FanPost by an individual promoting a meet-and-greet with Pete Carroll courtesy of POWERADE. It was taken down fairly swiftly because I'm sure that the admins at Field Gulls, like me, were quite suspicious of a claim such as this when Pete Carroll's name wasn't even spelled correctly.

I was one of those kids back when the internet was still relatively new that tried to win their family a dream vacation by clicking on popups and entering in my email address, oh, I don't know, a couple dozen times. That being said, I was rather skeptical of this Pete Carroll meet-and-greet offer... but went with it anyway. Had they offered free Cialis and Vicodin I may have been a bit more wary, but a couple of emails later and I had a Father's Day gift for my dad.

All jest and jabs aside, many thanks to POWERADE for making this happen. It was a once in a lifetime experience and the representatives were nothing but wonderful to my father and I. I'd like to get something going with POWERADE and Field Gulls in the future, so start thinking of some ideas!

Anyways...

After a tour of the VMAC, which I must say is a stunningly perfect facility, I got to sit with Pops on the grassy knoll alongside the outdoor practice field in the uncharacteristically beautiful weather and watch young (and old) athletes try to make a dollar. Me, dad, the sun, football and my notebook:

Star-divide

GENERAL NOTES:

  • Isaiah Stanback appears unhindered by his past injuries. He struggled a bit with press coverage but looked quick on several fly routes and got upfield quickly on bubble screens. His hands need some work as the deep looks he got were bobbled, but never caught.
  • Julius Jones and Justin Forsett were absent again, leaving the carries to Quinton Ganther and Louis Rankin. Neither looked overly impressive and were often gobbled up by a disruptive defensive line. Leon Washington participated in non-contact drills.
  • Mike Williams looks very much the part of a competitive receiver. On several jump balls, watching him fully extend his 6' 4" frame and snatch the ball out of the air was extremely impressive; his ability to turn up field immediately after the catch was almost more impressive. One thing you'll notice on short receptions is his killer inside move after the catch. I hope he sticks.
  • The WR position seems entirely unsettled, and I'm not sure if that is a result of Pete's desire for competition in all sectors or players simply not being able to differentiate themselves. Receivers running with the first team ranged from Deon Butler, Ben Obomanu and Golden Tate to Mike Williams and Isaiah Stanback. Training camp will indeed be a battle.
  • Walter Thurmond was on the field for some 11-on-11 action with the second team, seeing time at LCB and covering the slot. His rehab appears to be going well as his footwork was crisp and he was able to smother receivers on several occasions. It was rather encouraging.

KEY PLAYS / OTHER TIDBITS

  • Golden Tate is fast - or, as potential Seahawk Marshawn Lynch would say, "stoopit fast." On a kickoff return, after receiving a lateral, Tate read his blocks patiently until hitting his second gear and riding it all the way to the end zone. His 4.42 speed was evident. With Josh Wilson, Golden and Forsett returning kicks, I'm personally excited for the return game this year.
  • Earl Thomas' end zone interception of Matt Hasselbeck was easily the highlight of the day; it was one of those "well, you really can't do anything about that" interceptions. Matt tried to look him off with his gaze locked on John Carlson to the left, but Thomas darted and dove in front of Deon Butler for a pretty incredible pick.
  • Thomas also sniffed out two PA boots on consecutive plays, dropping the QB for huge losses. Instinctual as advertised.
  • We were lucky enough to be taken into the Draft War Room and see where all the magic happens. A lot of good work was done within those walls, and I've got a feeling it's going to happen again this time next year.
  • Nick Reed has grown out his head and facial hair and has the appearance of a lumberjack in a Seahawks uniform after downing a pint of maple syrup. Badass. I tried to snap some evidence but his facial radiation destroyed my camera.
  • My goal for the day was to get a picture of Pete Carroll giving me a noogie, but to no avail. Standard picture it was. Just as all the reports you've read and interviews you've seen, Coach Carroll is an extremely likable guy. He's the type that you'd like to have as your uncle, and if you were lucky enough to have his as a grandpa, the holidays would be AWESOME. His energy is contagious as it is addicting, and I'm really excited to have him in the PNW coaching our beloved Seahawks.

Again, many shouts to POWERADE for this opportunity. It's one that my father, nor I, will ever forget.

Comment 48 comments  |  11 recs  | 

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Awesome report

Glad to see that wasn’t a hoax. I have to say I’m pretty excited for both Tate and Williams. If those guys pan out, we’re going to have a terrific receiving core. I’m a bit worried that Hasslebeck is lulling me back into confidence. I thought he was done for sure last year; how did he look to you?

by ColumbiaRob on Jun 25, 2010 9:52 AM PDT reply actions  

Thanks a lot

I’m not sure if this is a full endorsement of Hasselbeck or diminishing confidence in Whitehurst/Losman, but Matthew looked (bald) heads and above more poised in the pocket, efficient in his reads and in charge of the offense in comparison to the aforementioned backups. I think we’re providing him with what he’s been missing for a while: a decent NFL-caliber offensive line and playmakers to get the ball to. Thus, I’m pretty excited for his prospects this year.

by PRIDEin253 on Jun 25, 2010 10:21 AM PDT up reply actions  

Much appreciated

and I’m not sure which one of you gents did it, but thanks for the promotion to the FP

by PRIDEin253 on Jun 25, 2010 1:26 PM PDT up reply actions  

Thanks again

I’m forced to upgrade by Hass opinion to ‘cautiously optimistic’.

by ColumbiaRob on Jun 25, 2010 11:49 AM PDT up reply actions  

If he avoids injury, he can be a pretty good or at least decent QB in the NFL.

The problem is avoiding injury. He’s glass now.

Now with more lemon bars!

by Fear on Jun 25, 2010 11:57 AM PDT up reply actions  

If only Nick Reed played Offense

He could repel defensive players with his radiation shield & keep Matt in one piece.

by Buster! on Jun 25, 2010 1:08 PM PDT up reply actions  

Both Housh and Branch were in attendance

but participated only in individual drills. I was bummed that they weren’t lining up because I can’t wait to see our WR corps come together.

by PRIDEin253 on Jun 25, 2010 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions  

Great stuff, thanks 253.

Thomas making plays? Thurmond3 on the field? Chancellor in the wings? Oh new secondary, you can’t be here any sooner.

by djafrot on Jun 25, 2010 11:49 AM PDT via mobile reply actions  

Fantastic contribution. Rec'd

Hawks news is thin right now, so thanks!

by IslandHawk on Jun 25, 2010 1:17 PM PDT reply actions  

what's the scale for 1.0 to 7.0?

does 7.0 mean ‘highly desired’ or ‘not on the radar’?

by kow on Jun 25, 2010 1:33 PM PDT reply actions  

Well, for a frame of reference,

David Tyree was a 1.0 on the scale. So, yes, I assume your assessment is correct.

by PRIDEin253 on Jun 25, 2010 2:34 PM PDT up reply actions  

No, not really.

Wherever we went throughout the VMAC we had pretty free range as far as what we could look at and were able to linger a while in each place. I thought it would be a little more strictly regulated but, for example, I was able to walk right up and touch Walter Jones’ helmet in his locker.

by PRIDEin253 on Jun 25, 2010 10:13 PM PDT up reply actions  

Walter Jones still has a locker?

Bird Law in this country isn't governed by reason.

by Tyler Jorgensen on Jun 26, 2010 1:47 PM PDT up reply actions  

Yes indeed

I myself was surprised. It’s pretty awesome though.

by PRIDEin253 on Jun 26, 2010 2:14 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions  

Thank you very much

and the best part is, this is only half of his gift: Ryan Asdourian (Blitz the mascot) gave my dad and me a pair of sweet tickets to the home opener for helping grow Team Blitz for the MS Walk, so it was quite the Seahawks double whammy for Pops. Thanks again for helping with that, Craig!

by PRIDEin253 on Jun 25, 2010 3:23 PM PDT up reply actions  

That's awesome.

And no worries sir, anything to help out.

by DJ C-Raig on Jun 26, 2010 10:20 AM PDT up reply actions  

Get this man a press pass!

Excellent writeup, been said before, but thank you for a nice chunk of meaty Hawk news during a slow time!

I’m curious what the general attitude towards taking photos was. Did it seem like they were cool with it except for inside places where sensitive data could be captured (ala the draft room)? Did they not want you taking pictures of the practice at all?

by Kingdomer on Jun 25, 2010 4:21 PM PDT reply actions  

As far as photos,

the staff was actually very lax about snapping pictures while touring the facility. The only time photos weren’t allowed was, as you guessed, in the draft room. Practice was completely open for photos as well. I got managed to get some awesome action shots.

by PRIDEin253 on Jun 25, 2010 6:42 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions  

Thanks.

Good job!

Red Bryant: surprise us!

by Misfit74 on Jun 25, 2010 8:11 PM PDT reply actions  

Hah!

Your visit to the VMAC turned into Andrew Auger fabricating an entire article from your Draft Room peak.

by DJ C-Raig on Jun 26, 2010 10:21 AM PDT reply actions  

Ohhh Lord...

I’ve never been used as a primary source before. Next stop, Sports Page of the Seattle Times.

by PRIDEin253 on Jun 26, 2010 12:11 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions  

Can I ask a question about the scale?

Are you certain it was a scale of 1.0 – 7.0 or was it that you only saw the players rated go up to 7.0? I mean, the scale could have gone to 10 (or 100 for that matter) and there just wasn’t anyone rated higher than 7 on the board.

Just a thought. Anyway, fantastic article!

by biju on Jun 27, 2010 12:50 PM PDT up reply actions  

I'm certain it was 1.0-7.0

This may help: Look at the upper left corner of your computer screen and, from there, envision position names running along the top of your screen and numbers running down the left side, starting with 7.0 at the top and 1.0 at the bottom. This was exactly how the board looked. Vincent Jackson would be in the upper-leftmost part of your screen while David Tyree would be in the bottom-leftmost part. The scale was pretty clear since it took up the whole wall.

by PRIDEin253 on Jun 27, 2010 3:29 PM PDT up reply actions  

Imagine...

If we could manage to get V. Jackson(he and the Chargers don’t seem too happy with each other right now.) We’d have to have one of the deepest WR corpse in the league. TJ, VJack, Tate, Branch and everyone else…

As a child I always wondered why a frisbee got bigger the closer it got. Then it hit me.

by RickStonetree on Jun 27, 2010 2:16 PM PDT reply actions  

Yeah I saw I spelled that wrong, too lazy to fix it I guess.
 Anyway there’s tons of assholes that are great football players. I’d take him on oiur team in a second, it’s not like I gotta hang out with him.

As a child I always wondered why a frisbee got bigger the closer it got. Then it hit me.

by RickStonetree on Jun 27, 2010 9:08 PM PDT up reply actions  

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