Final Training Camp Questions

by John Morgan on Jul 29, 2010 5:05 PM PDT Comment 22 comments

I have spent much of today finalizing my arrangements for training camp. Woo! Training camp! Obviously, there is some work incentive to taking in Seahawks training camp first hand, but I honestly enjoy sitting on the hill and watching the players prepare for the season.

Training camp coverage kind of takes care of itself. I write what I see. However, I wanted to create a numbered list that attempts to cover everyone's requests.

Value of camp as performance indicator: This is a think piece rather than a report, but it's something I will keep in mind throughout training camp.
Curry's progress: Curry looked pretty awesome in last year's camp, and so this might speak to the above. Curry is coachable and toolsy as all get out, and I expect him to look very good in camp, but I will watch for improvement.
Bates offense: I will compare what the Seahawks are running in camp to what I have observed from 2008. To the specific question, yes, I assume Bates will have Hasselbeck running bootlegs.
The rookies
Whitehurst's level of participation: It's hard for a quarterback to look bad in camp. It's like a pitcher looking bad in warm ups. The most important element to judging performance is lacking: opposition. Nevertheless, I guarantee I will be watching our aspiring young cult leader.
Vickerson: All over it. (and defensive linemen in general)
Corners: Thurmond, oh mos definitely, and the general ranking of Seattle's corners. This includes Trufant's play, whether Thomas is seeing any snaps at corner and who's ahead: Jennings or Wilson?
Strong safety: I think Lawyer Milloy is the presumed starter, but who is challenging for his snaps? Kam? Jordan? Jamar?
Leo: See who is flashing. Don't count out Dexter Davis.
Mike Williams: I have a little shameful pride attached to this guy, but, yes, I will be spying Williams a great deal.
Bryant at DE: Can Bryant be disruptive enough to justify playing him at end. I like Red, and so I hope he excels, no matter how dubious the scheme seems.
Linebacker depth: Heygood is gone, and so who is the primary depth behind Tatupu, Curry, Hill and Hawthorne.
Team leaders: Always an interesting angle. My lasting memory from the 2009 camp is Brian Russell huddling with the coaches.
Carroll: How does his approach to camp differ from Mora's?
Special teams: I will see what kind of info I can provide, especially regarding free agent special teams ace Sean Morey.

Tell me anything I am missing. I will do my best to answer the above, though, as I said, training camp reports tend to write themselves.

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What date/time are you going to be there, John?

I’ll be there on Tuesday, at the 1:30pm practice.

I’m mainly interested in our rookies, especially Earl and Golden, but I’m going to be very interested in the new offensive scheme and how closely it resembles Denver’s 2008 incarnation.

by tehbagel on Jul 29, 2010 5:26 PM PDT reply actions

Nevermind me.

Not reading your first post.

by tehbagel on Jul 29, 2010 5:28 PM PDT up reply actions

I think it's important to remember

that Curry started off the year great, then within a few weeks became the most experienced linebacker on the field, playing with a poor D-Line in a bad system. Basically what I am saying is that he looked good last year because he was good last year, and should be much better this year if he gets a chance to really make plays.

by Fightfightfight on Jul 29, 2010 6:47 PM PDT reply actions

Curry was poor in coverage and blew assignments

Mora benched him on third downs. Kid is supremely talented, but he wasn’t good last year.

by John Morgan on Jul 29, 2010 7:44 PM PDT up reply actions

Ye gads I hope he's better with Lofa back.

In related news, I’m pretty sure Lofa was on my flight back to WA recently. WOO!

Thank you, Walter Jones.
Thank you, Ken Griffey Jr.

by thebyron on Jul 29, 2010 8:30 PM PDT up reply actions

Regarding special teams,

I’d be more interested in who is returning punts and kickoffs and how they look. (For what that’s worth.)

I'm gonna go calm submissive on your ass.

by Dukeshire on Jul 29, 2010 8:38 PM PDT reply actions

Second

Assume its Tate’s job to lose in training camp.

by trippsixxes on Jul 30, 2010 9:23 AM PDT up reply actions

Carlson, Carlson, Carlson

I already wear one jersey whenever I feel I need to show a little Seahawks pride, should I buy a second Carlson jersey to wear over top, or possibly as a cape?

This is something that can be discovered in training camp I assume.

Portland transplant to Boston.

by cmcdougall on Jul 29, 2010 9:00 PM PDT reply actions 1 recs

Bryant at End

One aspect of the “Bryant at DE” question that certainly nags is that with three beefy guys on the line in Bryant, Cole, and Mebane, that really makes me start to wonder how much of this “Leo” business is like what we saw at USC and how much it’s like, say, a Bum Philips 3-4. Bryant may not succeed as a 4-3 DE, but that might not be much of what he’s asked to play. A two-gapping, space-eating DE role may suit him just fine.

by SeahawksFanInNY on Jul 29, 2010 9:09 PM PDT reply actions

I was thinking the same thing.

by cro-mag! on Jul 30, 2010 9:42 AM PDT up reply actions

Deion Branch

Last time I saw him at training camp, he was so obviously loafing it, the fans were calling him out from the stands at Huskie Stadium. I want to know if he is actually putting out an effort or doing a “I done been paid” walkthrough of the drills.

by SpellStitchedHawk on Jul 29, 2010 9:39 PM PDT reply actions

Owen Schmitt

and maybe see how Ken Norton coaches just out of curiosity.

Nonsense, Poopy-Pants!

by Lo Pann on Jul 29, 2010 11:18 PM PDT reply actions

Deon Butler

Carroll has repeatedly referred to him as the most improved player this offseason. I’d like to get a look into that and see what the deal is.

by ErictheHawksFan on Jul 29, 2010 11:51 PM PDT reply actions

That could be key if it's true. Butler, Housh and Gold(en) all operating at peak form? It would allow Hass to become Dilfer.

by THolt on Jul 30, 2010 2:38 AM PDT up reply actions

An insufferable d-bag?

Or were you referring to on-field performance?
I would be pretty excited to have enough offensive talent around Hass to squeeze another decent year (dare I say two) out of him. And don’t forget Mike WIlliams.

by Lanky on Jul 30, 2010 10:22 AM PDT up reply actions

I'm hoping he means "super bowl winner"

by djafrot on Jul 30, 2010 2:59 PM PDT up reply actions

Seems the O-line needs some attention

Everything’s a question mark. How does the master of zone blocking affect this group? Is Okung ready to be great? Is Hamilton still good and able to return to form under Gibbs? Is Spencer finally emerging? Has Unger improved his strength? Will Locklear go back to being a good right tackle? Does Chester Pitts have anything in the tank?

by Suburban Shocker on Jul 30, 2010 9:21 AM PDT reply actions

It's probably too early

But I’m very curious what our base defensive package/alignment will be. In the hyper competitive and complicated NFL teams don’t live in the base package the way we did in high school, but we can still learn a lot about philosphy by how the coaches use our talent.

by cro-mag! on Jul 30, 2010 9:54 AM PDT reply actions

Unfortunately little can be seen in camp that is definitive

I think you would be able to see if Matt is actually healthy and was his apparent loss of arm strength had more to do with those injuries than a magically dead arm. Based on the injuries that he had and the time for recovery, he should be fully healed. That makes me wonder, is his arm strength back. He never had a cannon, but he was at least respectable. I would like to see if his arm is back to respectable.

by stufr on Jul 30, 2010 10:45 AM PDT reply actions