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Seattle Seahawks Head Coach Pete Carroll and General Manager John Schneider are in Indianapolis for the combine this week, and as part of the routine, they will each take a turn speaking to the media. Schneider’s press conference is scheduled for Friday morning, while Carroll took his turn on Thursday.
For those who may have missed it, here is a video of the full press conference and everything Pete had to say.
Pete Carroll is at the podium to discuss our offseason and the @NFL Combine. #GoHawks https://t.co/csjN9B39QE
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) March 1, 2018
The questions covered a myriad of different subjects, including the offensive line, the coaching changes this offseason and the pending free agency of several members of the 2017 squad. Carroll was his usual evasive self when asked pointed questions about pending free agents, but he did share information on several items about which reporters asked. That included Kam Chancellor, DeShawn Shead, Earl Thomas, Richard Sherman, Malik McDowell, Mike Solari, Brian Schottenheimer and a host of other names.
Here are some bits and pieces on many of the subjects on which Carroll touched.
Pete Carroll says #Seahawks have talked to DeShawn Shead about switching from CB to SS, where he has played before. Shead, who could be a FA, is obviously in defense’s plans for 2018–esp with Chancellor status in doubt. @thenewstribune
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) March 1, 2018
Carroll says nothing specifically new on Avril and Chancellor but not ruling out that they could play in 2018.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) March 1, 2018
Pete Carroll said there's nothing new to report on the status of Cliff Avril, Kam Chancellor or Malik McDowell. #Seahawks
— John Boyle (@johnpboyle) March 1, 2018
Pete Carroll says OT George Fant is absolutely in #Seahawks’ plans for 2018. Didn’t say whether at RT or LT. Gushed again about having Duane Brown set coming back as starting LT. @thenewstribune
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) March 1, 2018
Carroll says plan for now is Ifedi will stay at tackle. Says they have to get Fant back healthy first and then see where he will fit in.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) March 1, 2018
When discussing the offensive line, Pete was asked if the team will be changing what they look for in offensive linemen now that Mike Solari is in charge of the unit rather than Tom Cable. He stated that there will be very subtle differences in what they are looking for, but that for the most part the guys they’ve been seeking are the guys they’ll continue to seek. That could obviously be offseason coach speak that means absolutely nothing, so we’ll still have to wait and see the type of players they draft in April.
When asked about running back Chris Carson, Pete provided a somewhat lengthy response regarding what they loved about him in 2017. The full video of the press conference is worth watching just for Pete’s response on this question alone.
Pete Carroll: "We were really excited about Chris (Carson). Great pass catcher, explosive runner and he did some good things for us last year. He has a spot in our backfield and we're looking forward to him making a big impact this season. pic.twitter.com/TTR7xyDAlW
— Joe Everett (@JoeWEverett) March 1, 2018
Pete Carroll says Russell Wilson needs to hit the ball into right field more. Jokes that Russ still can't hit the curve.
— Kevin Patra (@kpatra) March 1, 2018
Pete Carroll said at least 3 times hiring Brian Schottenheimer as off coor was for “challenging,” growing Russell Wilson. Cited how closely Schottenheimer works with QBs.
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) March 1, 2018
Left unsaid: Wilson wasn’t responding to Bevell anymore the way #Seahawks wanted
Carroll says there have been talks with Earl Thomas but gave no specifics.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) March 1, 2018
One of the things that jumped out the most from the press conference was how lighthearted, happy and excited Carroll was. It was a different Carroll than we saw during many of his press conferences over the course of the 2017 season, where he seemed tired, stressed and lacked much of the same energy he had displayed since arriving in Seattle. Whether this is simply the result of not being in the middle of the regular season grind, or he’s back to enjoying what he’s doing, we can’t know for certain. However, Pete Carroll was definitely having fun today, and it was a fun loving Carroll who led the 2013 Seahawks to the first Lombardi in franchise history.
Hopefully Pete has reason to stay in such a good mood through the course of the 2018 season.