Seahawks Training Camp Notes for Monday, August 5th

I went to my first Seahawks’ training camp today, August 5^th. I went with my parents, we sat on the grass, ate pulled pork sandwiches, and watched the future 2014 Super Bowl champions practice. Here are a few things that I noticed on this beautiful Monday.

• Everyone should draft Marshawn Lynch in fantasy football. This was a no pads practice so his trucking ability was not on display but the vision his vision was superb. This is Lynch's 3^rd season in Tom Cable's zone blocking scheme and he looks insanely comfortable in it - especially when compared to Christine Michael and Spencer Ware.
• Arceto Clark definitely deserves to be mentioned in this post-practice write up. He made a couple of plays from the slot that were very impressive. He made me ask myself, "Who is number 14!?!?!" Sadly, the roster is stacked so he most likely won't make the team but he does look like an NFL player.
• Jordan Hill was unblockable in pass rushing drills. He regularly schooled whatever guard he lined up against. It is understandable why the Seahawks took him in the 3^rd round and why he is on the starting nickel defense. Look for Hill to play 50% of the defensive snaps this upcoming season.
• Christine Michael is as fast as advertised. He broke a few long runs at RB and looked explosive as a KR as well. I can't wait to see this guy put pads on and have a Justin Forsett like preseason.
• Michael Bennett, Chris Clemons, Cliff Avril and Bruce Irvin all sat out today which was disappointing from a spectator point of view. It would have been great to see those guys line up against Russell Okung and Breno Giacomini.
• Speaking of Okung and Giacomini, they easily handled their man in pass protection drills.
• Golden Tate made a spectacular catch in 7 on 7 drills, he went up and high pointed the ball against multiple defenders. It is looking as if Tate is going to be the #1 receiver while Percy Harvin is injured.
• Phil Bates also made a spectacular catch in team drills. He ran a fly route and grown manned the catch over two defenders. Bates most likely won't crack the 53 and may not even make the practice squad but I am cheering for him because he is massive.
• Walter Thurmond III made an impressive diving deflection while manned up on Tate on a go route. If Brandon Browner or Richard Sherman get injured or suspended, Thurmond will probably be their replacement on the outside while Winfield is reserved to a full time nickel corner.
• Jeremy Lane stripped Christine Michael and returned it for a TD on one play and then intercepted Brady Quinn on another.
• Richard Sherman continues to dominate. There may not be a better corner in the league at using leverage to squeeze receivers into other defenders or the sideline.
• The Seahawks lined up in a lot of 3-4 defensive fronts which I speculated a little bit about in a previous post.
• The passing game struggled a bit today in practice. All the QBs were forced to settle for check downs and didn't get a lot of big plays down the field. This isn't an uncommon thing early in camp and should be remedied when Sidney Rice and Zach Miller return to full speed.
• J.R. Sweezy is going to be a part of the wedge on KR. I'm not sure if this was in place last year but considering how athletic he is for an offensive lineman, he seems perfect for it.
• I wish Earl Thomas III and Bruce Irvin still had their dreads.
• I wish I had bought tickets for more practices.