Seahawks August 6 Practice Report: Wide Receivers and Defensive Backs

I am debating whether this is my last post for today. I wanted to get out and actually experience Seattle before I have to trip back. Despite watching mostly Okung, I have notes for about two or three more posts. Also, sometime in the near future, I will post a few global posts talking about the experience of training camp and also some changes in Carroll's methods versus Mora.

Wide Receivers

• Deon Butler continues to show his ability to get behind the safeties, this time roaring behind Marcus Trufant and Earl Thomas for a pretty, Jerry Rice-esque over the shoulder grab into the end zone. Now, about finding a quarterback that can reach him.
• Deion Branch started up and towards the center of the field and then stuck his plant and cut out towards the sideline. Or he would have, had Roy Lewis not mugged him on an obvious, uncalled pass interference penalty.
• Mike Williams showed a little of the tech that's gone get him paid, sinking a shoulder into Trufant and using leverage to separate into his cut on a dig route.
• Branch flashed underneath on a curl. He knows how to come back for the ball and then resume towards the end zone. Best part: Actual good timing between Branch and Matt Hasselbeck.
• Butler fell attempting a cut.
• Branch shed Matt McCoy on a crossing pattern. He should shed Matt McCoy, but, nevertheless.
• Williams settled into a soft spot in the middle on what looked like a china route (a cross that stops short and curls back towards the quarterback). Zone awareness and route running are the key skills to look for from Williams this preseason.
• Butler was bullied over the middle fighting for position; fighting for the reception.

Defensive Backs

• Walter Thurmond was in pads. Kam Chancellor and Josh Pinkard were not.
• Not to be unduly critical, but I don't think Seattle's second string defensive backs are very good. That is something to consider when reading glowing reports about Seattle's first string receivers.
• Branch in particular was having his way with the camp fodder.
• Trufant ended the unblemished run of Kole Heckendorf. He read Heckendorf's curl, beat him to the spot and picked the pass -- as evidenced above.
• Earl Thomas's blitz was truly something to behold. I wish I could have recorded it. So much speed. Watch to see if that play is featured in the preseason or saved for some rainy snap come fall. The surprise element makes it deadly.