Category Archives: Training camp

State of the team, Training camp

3 keys to the 2017 season

1 Comment

Training camp logo2The Seahawks began training camp today with some pretty simple edicts: Build an offensive line, foster better depth and recreate the chemistry that helped them to Super Bowls in 2013 and 2014.

The Seahawks have been one of the best teams in the league the last five years — No. 3 in wins (56) behind New England (62) and Denver (59) — but they have been on a steady decline since winning Super Bowl XLVIII.

After winning 36 games from 2012 to 2014, the Seahawks have won 20 over the past two years. Double-digit wins are always a sign of success, but it has been a disappointment to see the Seahawks fade — from the Patriots’ 1-yard line in XLIX to bad playoff losses the last two years.

This year they have to reverse the trend. There are three keys to doing it:

Continue reading 3 keys to the 2017 season →

Training camp, X's & O's

With Sweezy gone, Britt makes ‘technical jump’

1 Comment

Training camp logo2Justin Britt played a surprisingly good first game at center in Kansas City, earning the praise of Pete Carroll for how he handled Chiefs Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dontari Poe.

It may have been Britt’s coming-of-age moment. And one of the keys apparently was the departure of J.R. Sweezy.

While Carroll didn’t exactly say it that way, he told 710 ESPN that Britt has improved his technique and is no longer trying to be a brawler like Sweezy.

Continue reading With Sweezy gone, Britt makes ‘technical jump’ →

The roster, Training camp

Backs in action: Returning runners ‘a real boost’

Leave a comment

Training camp logo2It was Running Back Day at Seahawks camp on Monday.

As Christine Michael continued to receive accolades for his performance in Kansas City, Thomas Rawls, C.J. Prosise and Zac Brooks all returned to practice — and the Hawks released Cameron Marshall and moved Kyle Coleman to fullback.

On top of that, Alex Collins — limited by an ankle issue in Kansas City — is ready for more of a load this week.

So, as they prepare for their preseason home opener vs. Minnesota, the Hawks finally have all of their backs back.

Continue reading Backs in action: Returning runners ‘a real boost’ →

The roster, Training camp

Like us, Cable is ready to see line in action

1 Comment

At Kansas City logoTom Cable has been working with a mostly new cadre of offensive linemen for over three months now, and — like all of us — he is eager to see them “block someone that has a different helmet on.”

He will get his chance Saturday in Kansas City, and we will finally see what Justin Britt looks like at center, how first-round pick Germain Ifedi fits at right guard, whether Bradley Sowell has any shot of playing left tackle and more.

With J’Marcus Webb injured again, it appears the Hawks might start with a line featuring (left to right) Sowell, Mark Glowinski, Britt, Ifedi and Garry Gilliam. We’ll probably see the tackles move around a lot — e.g., Gilliam or George Fant on the left with Terry Poole or Rees Odhiambo on the right.

“It’s really more just to see the different combinations,” Cable said. “Maybe we missed something — like this guy is better at left than at right or vice versa. This is the time to do that, obviously.”

Continue reading Like us, Cable is ready to see line in action →

State of the team, Training camp

Rawls, Graham return to stacked position rooms

Leave a comment

Training camp logo2Thomas Rawls and Jimmy Graham were key players in the Seahawks’ surprising offensive evolution in 2015 — Rawls replacing injury-ravaged Marshawn Lynch and offering more speed through the hole and Graham helping the Hawks become more potent through the air.

Of course, just as the offense started to click in November, both players were lost to injuries in a three-week span.

Considering the severity of the injuries — a torn patellar tendon for Graham and a broken ankle for Rawls — it was no surprise that the Seahawks loaded up at tight end and running back this offseason.

So, as Rawls and Graham return to practice this week, they find themselves on an offense that is even more stacked than the one they helped set a team yardage record last year.

Continue reading Rawls, Graham return to stacked position rooms →

Training camp

Carroll frustrated over delayed Prosise Project

Leave a comment

Training camp logo2Pete Carroll has big plans for C.J. Prosise — call it the Prosise Project — so the hamstring injury that has sidelined him all camp has been a major pain for the coach.

“He’s missed a ton — there’s no other way to put it,” Carroll lamented Tuesday. “He missed a lot in the end of OTAs also. He finished OTAs with three days of good work that showed us what we’re looking for, so it’s just frustrating for everybody — because we know he’s got a lot to learn, he’s got a big role that he has a chance to fill.”

Continue reading Carroll frustrated over delayed Prosise Project →

Injury report, Training camp

Skill positions have been hamstrung

Leave a comment

Seahawks bandagesThe Seahawks have been hit hard with injuries at the skill positions early in camp — so hard that Pete Carroll quipped Sunday, “We’ve got a bunch of hamstrings on the receivers. They all have two.”

**Bass drum, cymbal crash**

Minor injuries early in camp are pretty common — and not a big concern as long as the team handles them with patience. But, when the injuries stack up at one position, it can cause a domino effect as other players become overworked.

That is what the Seahawks have been trying to avoid through the first 10 days of camp as they have lost five receivers, three tight ends, three running backs and two fullbacks.

Continue reading Skill positions have been hamstrung →

State of the team, Training camp

Carroll, Hawks discover ‘Road to Character’

Leave a comment

Pete Carroll and Russell Wilson plan to be clapping about their offense a lot this season (Getty Images)When the Seahawks won Super Bowl XLVIII, they were still a bunch of upstarts, misfits and castoffs who really didn’t know what to expect and were just following the Pete Carroll way: Always compete.

By the time they got back to the Super Bowl the next year, they had become seasoned veterans despite still being one of the NFL’s youngest teams.

But they were still young and immature — as so many of them proved during and after Super Bowl XLIX — and they failed to mentally or physically recover from that debacle in time for the next season. They still lacked focus and cohesion early in 2015, and it ended up costing them in the postseason.

But they have rediscovered their sense of purpose this offseason, largely because Carroll has changed the way he delivers his mantra.

Continue reading Carroll, Hawks discover ‘Road to Character’ →

The roster, Training camp

Evans addition is exciting and confusing

Leave a comment

Training camp logo2The addition of Jahri Evans to Seattle’s line is both exciting and confusing — exciting because the Hawks are adding a highly decorated veteran and confusing because Evans plays the position where the Seahawks appear most set.

Mark Glowinski and Germain Ifedi have received glowing praise from Tom Cable and Pete Carroll, leading everyone to believe they will be starting at the guard spots when the season starts. Along with Garry Gilliam at left tackle, those positions looked like the only ones where the Hawks had figured it out.

But the addition of Evans, a six-time Pro Bowl right guard, certainly bolsters the competition there — assuming he is healthy and able to play at age 33.

“He’s not been told he’s the starter or anything like that,” Pete Carroll said. “He’s been brought in to compete; (we’re) hoping he’ll add to the level of our play.

Continue reading Evans addition is exciting and confusing →

The roster, Training camp

Hawks ‘just mixing guys’ on O-line; Cable not unhappy with Webb

1 Comment

Training camp logo2Fans and observers were all atwitter Friday over what they perceived as a major shakeup on the Seahawks’ offensive line: J’Marcus Webb being demoted.

Word that veteran guard Jahri Evans was in town (and reportedly received an offer) spawned speculation that the former All-Pro would step in at right guard and Germain Ifedi would slide to tackle to replace Webb.

When three other guys got work at right tackle Friday, many saw that as confirmation that the Hawks were indeed dissatisfied with Webb, the oft-maligned journeyman who is now on his fifth team in seven years.

But Tom Cable shot down that perception after practice, telling KJR, “I don’t know where that came from. That would be completely unfair and inaccurate. I think he’s done quite well. I love what he’s doing.” Cable added that Webb is adapting to the Hawks’ tempo and expectations.

Continue reading Hawks ‘just mixing guys’ on O-line; Cable not unhappy with Webb →