The VMAC Beckons the Twelve Army to Mass at its Gates
by Johnny Peel (DKSB) on Jul 10, 2010 2:06 PM PDT
in Seahawks Commentary
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PrintIt's that time of year again, my fellow Twelves... We start poring over fantasy football magazines, we try to figure out what new Seahawks jersey (if any) to buy for this season, and if we are really lucky, we are waiting to get our season tickets in the mail. For folks in the northwest, we also are trying to figure out if we can make it to a Training Camp session in Renton.
Here's a link to the Seahawks training camp schedule, with info on how to sign up to attend a practice. I'm going to be in Seattle for my best friend from WWU's wedding in mid-August, and thankfully I'll be able to go to practice at the VMAC on August 12. If you have the chance to go, it is worth way more than the $5-per-person "transportation fee." (eyes roll, wanking motion)
Why?
I haven't had the good fortune to attend a VMAC practice yet, but I did get to go to Camp in Cheney twice (1998 and 2006). Both trips were a total blast, particularly because you can get up close to these guys in a way you rarely experience in any other context.
In 1998, when I saw Joey Galloway running towards me onto the field I brandished my Galloway jersey and word-barfed something like "Wooo! Joey! Yeah! Woooooo!" He actually saw me, noticed I was wearing his jersey and gave me the the "reverse nod + sup" move. THAT made my day.
I wrote the following about my trip to Camp in 2006 (all the pics from that day are here on Flickr). Some of it is a bit embarrassing in retrospect...
This is one of the only instances where there can be actual (albeit limited) interaction between players and fans, and thankfully no players acted like prima donna dickholes on Saturday.
As players passed by, I shouted to Walter Jones that he was the best player in the NFL and was headed to the Hall of Fame… I told Matt that this was HIS year to be NFL MVP, and I told Lofa Tatupu that he got robbed of the defensive rookie of the year award. I yelped at Jerramy Stevens that this was his year to be all-pro, and he gave me a big grin and said "that’s right."
While I was jabbering away, my little brother James was getting autographs from players like Mack Strong, Lofa, Marcus Trufant and Julian Peterson. James had a blast… It was well worth the 4-hour round trip from the Tri-Cities and back.
Some cool moments:
-We got to hear Holmgren get pissed and yell at the team a couple of times.
-We saw up close that Ryan Plackemeier could be a dominant punter once he gains some consistency
-Cool plays: Kelly Herndon jumped a route to make a spectaclar interception, and D.J. Hackett made a Tecmo Bowl-esque leaping TD catch over two defenders. The best moment was during the 1st team scrimmage.. Without anyone to throw to, Hass ran for a TD. Of course, no one was going to touch him and risk injuring our most indispensable asset. The crowd let out a cheer, and Hass gave a wave and a couple of quick bows. It was a cute little moment from our bald spaz of a QB…
All in all it was a great time. If you are a Seahawks fan and have the means, you should get out to Cheney to enjoy the spectacle this month.
For those of you that went to practices at the VMAC last year, what were the highlights and disappointments of the experience? What should us noobs expect when we go this August? Consider this an open thread for Training Camp memories as well... and don't forget to check out my home blog: Dave Krieg's Strike Beard.
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I'm going to the Aug 8th practice at Husky Stadium.
It’s a bummer that they’re only holding one practice there, last year they had two.
On all of those practices, they say they last 2 hours. Isn’t that a lot longer than last year? Seems like last year they were only like 1 hour and had two different ones you could sign up for on each day. If that’s the case, then this year should be much better than last year, it just wasn’t worth the hassle last year for how short it was (well, it was worth it to do it once just to see the place).
by Mind of no mind on Jul 10, 2010 4:39 PM PDT reply actions
Both practices I went to last year were about 1.5 hour
I hope they’re longer this year!
"Pass rushers enter the world of Okung but never leave." - JM
I went to the VMAC training last year
and had a blast…for sure going to be hitting it up again this year. Plus it gives me an excuse to leave work early.
I wish they’d let us walk to VMAC rather than waiting for the damn buses…was pretty crowded and lame just standing out there. I advise getting there way early because you’ll be in line for a long ass time and could miss part of practice if you don’t.
I Bleed Blue and Green
Fantastic!
Thanks for the head’s up. I didn’t think we could register until Monday. Last year, registrations went like hotcakes and I almost didn’t get in. Now, I’m already booked in August. Sweeeeet.
Red Bryant: surprise us!
I got the link from FashionEthic on twitter
so any thanks should go her way :)
"I hate to break it to you, but there is no big lie, there is no system, the universe is indifferent." -Don Draper
by Johnny Peel (DKSB) on Jul 10, 2010 7:58 PM PDT reply actions
I went last year
Traffic was horrible and I almost missed the bus, but it was fun just to hang out and watch practice, plus it’s pretty easy to get some autographs from the end.
Went to Cheney in 98
I saw Cortez and Sam Adams ( would be awesome to have them now ) and Warren Moon who was a dick and didn’t wave or do anything for the fans.
Nonsense, Poopy-Pants!
no offense...
but he doesn’t have to wave or do anything for the fans…he’s there to practice and doesn’t owe anything.
a lot of guys just go out there and do their job…and that’s perfectly fine. Doesn’t necessarily make them a dick. Sure it may have been cool if Moon had stopped, but eh, he didn’t, doesn’t matter.
I Bleed Blue and Green
My experience with Moon was awesome
I was 6 or 7 and running a mini version of Spokane’s yearly marathon: Bloomsday. Anyway, I was jogging along with my buddy and here is this BIG OL BLACK GUY ALONG SIDE ME. Which normally isn’t weird for most people, it’s just that I grew up in Spokane, and there were three African Americans in my HS graduation class. Anyway, he came up along side and jogged with us a while, he said ( I still remember), “Hey guys, great day! What’s your names? (we respond) Nice to meet you, I’m Warren Moon. You tell your friends that.” And he jogged off. I was a happy pup.
2/3 of the world is covered by water. The rest is covered by Marcus Trufant.
He doesn't have to but
if children are 10 feet away screaming your name at least acknowledge them. He was coming out of a building so it’s not like he was in mid practice, a simple wave or hello would have been cool.
Nonsense, Poopy-Pants!
I went in Cheney
while I was a Grad. student at Eastern. Cortez gave me an autograph; I think only because I was the only person not asking for one. He just signed “Tez” Also I remember seeing Bryce Fisher riding a bicycle around campus.
The VMAC is amazing.
I did go to one last year, and I will be in town when this one starts, so I signed up for one on Saturday, and one on Monday the 2nd before I head back to CA.
Hopefully one of those will be in pads, as the one I went to last year they were just in shorts. Watching the Seahawks up close, as well as being right there on the water, is really something special. It feels so PNW, and since I live in NorCal now, I loved it, and I’m sure it’ll be as great this year.
So many more young and new football players to watch, it’s going to be better than last year I think.
I am going to practice #1 by myself, so I might try to kick off this season by doing another write-up.
Is that something John and others would like this year? The community scout thing was an idea I would have liked to see more of last year.
Went to The VMAC last year.
It was a great day!! I suggest getting to The Landing plenty early, stop off n have a few cold ones at The Rock while waiting then get in line for the buses early enough so as not to worry about fighting the masses that gather quickly.
Beer, its not just for breakfast anymore.
I went last year
And can’t wait until the August 6th practice this year!
Pictures from last year —> http://www.flickr.com/photos/fender/sets/72157621960350211/
Sweet pics! Here are all my pics
Here are my pics from last year (First Curry camp – I was one of the first that got his sig, was SO awesome)
"Pass rushers enter the world of Okung but never leave." - JM
Lots of pics of Curry becaues
that’s when he was announced as a signing and he came out onto the field for the first time (to a mostly standing ovation).
Some people had the “it’s about time” attitude (and voiced it). heh.
"Pass rushers enter the world of Okung but never leave." - JM
I remember I was hoping for it the whole time I was there August 3rd, and people were talking about it a lot.
But it wasn’t to be the day.
I was eerily prophetic, too
Because not 5 minutes before he was announced and came out of the VMAC mid-practice, I said to a buddy next to me: “You know what would be awesome? If Curry busted through those doors and came out onto the field.” I swear on my life.
He just looked over at me with this incredulous face. It was pretty amazing hah.
"Pass rushers enter the world of Okung but never leave." - JM
by Nick Andron on Jul 12, 2010 12:01 PM PDT up reply actions
You mentioned that last year didn't you.
I remember someone saying that on here.
It's my life's most amazing achievement.
Please don’t take this away from me =(
"Pass rushers enter the world of Okung but never leave." - JM
by Nick Andron on Jul 12, 2010 12:33 PM PDT up reply actions
I think you mentioned it when it happened.
We talked a lot about training camp last season.
I went to Huskies Stadium last year
It was fantastic. Got to meet and got autographs from Coach Mora, Coach Knapp, Kevin Brown, Darryl Tapp, Housh, Carlson. It was sad though a woman came up to Kevin Brown and asked where Housh was. Felt sorry for the big guy.
I used to live in Moses Lake...
until the ‘90s, and I rarely missed going at least once a year. Anyone else notice we’ve sucked since we left Cheney?
Myself and 4 buddies just booked for the 4pm practice on Saturday, August 7th.
If anyone else is going and would like to meet up, let me know!
"Pass rushers enter the world of Okung but never leave." - JM
got tix
going to the #4 practice August 2nd, #15 august 16th and then the Husky Stadium open practice
I Bleed Blue and Green
cool man
I’ll be wearing my Curry jersey and the new 2010 Draft Hat, glasses aaand seahawks Blue & Green DC shoes
I wrote some articles for another blog last year, probably gonna do a write up again this year, so I’ll have my pen and papers out…probably trying to sit smack dab in the middle/midleft of the hill so I can see all the action clearly
I Bleed Blue and Green
I did one for this blog, linked a few posts above.
A few others did as well, but it would be a lot more fun if there was more writing here.
I was thinking about posting it here too
not sure who I want to do it for yet…
last year I hadn’t discovered FG at that time
I Bleed Blue and Green
Well if you're at all interested in some company, myself and a few friends will be at the 4pm camp
"Pass rushers enter the world of Okung but never leave." - JM
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