Category Archives: Training camp

Cable: Gilliam on ‘pitch count,’ Webb starting from scratch

August 3, 2016 cc Leave a comment

Everyone knows the offensive line is the biggest concern about this otherwise Super Bowl-ready Seahawks team, so it’s no surprise to hear Tom Cable say we are a long way from knowing how that unit is going to shape up.

After Day 4 of camp on Tuesday, the assistant head coach said he was pleasantly surprised at the retention of the spring lessons by the entire unit. But he also made it clear they are just getting going and there is a ton of work to be done as they look for new starters at all five positions.

Continue reading Cable: Gilliam on ‘pitch count,’ Webb starting from scratch →

State of the team, Training camp

Chancellor’s renewed commitment: ‘It’s about a brotherhood’

August 2, 2016 cc Leave a comment

Kam Chancellor has changed his tune — back to the original refrain — and the rest of the Seahawks are whistling along.

The once-beloved safety lost a lot of fans with his ill-fated holdout last year, and he didn’t win too many back with his average play from Week 3 on.

He made the Pro Bowl on name recognition (as so many have over the years), but the fact is he wasn’t the same hard-hitting leader who had been a major factor in each of the previous two Super Bowl runs.

On Monday, he called his 2015 play “up and down” — which probably was an overly favorable analysis.

Asked what he learned from last year, he said, “I learned that this is a business; this is the NFL. But more importantly, it’s about a brotherhood. We started a brotherhood here, and we’ve got to continue what we’ve started. That’s the most important thing.”

Continue reading Chancellor’s renewed commitment: ‘It’s about a brotherhood’ →

Contracts, Training camp

Report: Bennett expects new deal before season

August 1, 2016 cc Leave a comment

Michael Bennett reportedly expects to have a new deal before the season, which apparently is why he reported to training camp on time.

That is from a nugget at the bottom of an NFL.com report focusing on Bennett’s comments about social issues.

Per NFL.com, “Bennett said he reported to Seahawks training camp on time because he is confident his agent and the Seahawks will work out a new contract soon. Sources close to Bennett told (Michael) Silver that they hope to work out a long-term deal for Bennett before the start of the season.”

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Training camp

Bennett, Carroll bring great news as Hawks open training camp

July 31, 2016 cc Leave a comment

Seahawks fans breathed two sighs of relief after the first day of training camp: Michael Bennett showed up and Pete Carroll said he sees no end to his coaching days.

That’s the kind of positive news everyone wanted to hear as the Hawks prepare to make a run at their second NFL title in four years — and keep it going beyond that.

There was some doubt about whether Bennett would report, based on his recent comments over his contract and a report that his agent was in Seattle last week. But he stayed true to what he has said all offseason: He wants to be a great teammate and help the Seahawks win a Super Bowl.

“I just want to get back to Houston, Texas, and play in the Super Bowl in my hometown, and play against my brother (Martellus of the Patriots),” Bennett said. “That’s all I think about, so I’m here to make that happen.

“I just wanted to show up and be a great teammate. No distractions for the team,” he added. “I just want to be a Seahawk for the rest of my life, and that’s just the most important thing.”

Continue reading Bennett, Carroll bring great news as Hawks open training camp →

CHAWK LINES, Training camp

July 30, 2016 cc Leave a comment

CHAWK LINES -- Training camp new

Jimmy Graham and Thomas Rawls are expected to start on PUP.

A few storylines to watch, from the P-I.

Players and positions to watch, from The Seattle Times.

This is Russell Wilson’s offense now.

A quick look at the entire offense entering camp.

John Schneider explains why the offensive line has no marquee players.

Moving Garry Gilliam to left tackle is a big leap of faith.

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State of the team, Training camp

Worried about the O-line? Remember 2013?

July 29, 2016 cc 2 Comments

The Seahawks are expecting to compete for a second Super Bowl title this year, and they’re planning to do it with a completely revamped offensive line.

That scares a lot of fans who view the line as the one thing that could keep this team from winning it all — kind of like it did last year.

But, anyone who thinks they can’t overcome that concern probably forgot what happened in 2013.

Continue reading Worried about the O-line? Remember 2013? →

State of the team, Training camp, X's & O's

Record-setting defense plans to get better

July 23, 2016 cc Leave a comment

The Seahawks’ defense has put together an unprecedented run — becoming the first modern NFL team to go four straight years as the No. 1 scoring unit.

After Seattle shut down Arizona 36-6 in the 2015 season finale to clinch the top spot again, a beaming Pete Carroll said, “I don’t know if there is a record that I could be more proud of than to see our guys go for four straight years and lead the league in scoring defense. I think that is a remarkable accomplishment by a bunch of guys dedicated to the program and what we are doing.”

Carroll’s defense also has given up the fewest yards over the last three years, ranking first in the 2013 and 2014 Super Bowl years and second last season.

That’s a pretty darn good run of defense — and yet the Seahawks know they can become more consistent if they can cover their Achilles’ heel.

Because they have so many veterans on the unit now, the coaches apparently are finally planning to address the soft underbelly of their defense, which has been prone to giving up big chunks of yards and too many touchdowns to tight ends, running backs and slot receivers.

Their plan to fix that issue figures to be one of the big stories of training camp, which begins Saturday.

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The roster, Training camp

Not a ‘knucklehead’ anymore, but is it too late for Michael?

July 23, 2016 cc Leave a comment

Michael to Cowboys It took Christine Michael a long time to figure out how not to be a “knucklehead.” But is it too late now?

The 2013 second-round pick never cared enough to try to unseat Robert Turbin as Marshawn Lynch’s backup. And then, last year, he lost his roster spot to undrafted Thomas Rawls, who was such a revelation that he is expected to replace Lynch permanently as Seattle’s No. 1 back.

It took injuries to Lynch, Turbin (waived injured last summer) and Rawls for Michael to finally get some playing time in Seattle. And that happened only after he was traded to the Cowboys, released, picked up by the Redskins and released again.

Michael did well in his return to Seattle, averaging 4.9 yards per carry in the final three games of the season and rushing for 70 yards in the playoff win over Minnesota (Lynch returned for the loss to Carolina, so Michael did not get a carry in that game).

Michael recently told USA Today that he started taking the game more seriously.

Continue reading Not a ‘knucklehead’ anymore, but is it too late for Michael? →

CHAWK LINES, Training camp

July 23, 2016 cc Leave a comment

With training camp starting in one week, let’s look at some pre-camp player reports:

Michael Bennett is griping about his contract yet again. But don’t believe him when he says, “Just get rid of me.”

Russell Wilson, who now looks almost as hulked up as Robert Turbin, told Q13 Fox: “We’ll try to bring back Super Bowl 51 if we can. We’ll do everything we can, every day. That’s a promise.”

Justin Britt’s switch to center is one of the major camp stories to watch.

Pete Carroll reminds us why the Seahawks think J’Marcus Webb will succeed with them.

Can Thomas Rawls take over for Marshawn Lynch — even if he doesn’t play in the preseason?

John Clayton projects Rawls to get 16-17 carries a game, with the other backs getting six or seven.

Christine Michael — among those trying to replace Lynch — admits, “I was just being a young guy, just being a knucklehead.”

Like last year, all eyes will be on Jimmy Graham — from camp through the season.

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CHAWK LINES, Training camp

July 13, 2016 cc Leave a comment

The countdown is well underway, with camp starting in about two weeks. Let’s look at some pre-camp player reports from some of the local outlets:

Bob Condotta looks at the importance of first-round pick Germain Ifedi working out.

Thomas Rawls said he is aiming to be ready for the start of camp.

John Clayton thinks Alex Collins could challenge Rawls for carries.

Collins is among 710 ESPN’s 25 Most Intriguing Seahawks.

Others on that burgeoning list include Jeremy Lane, Jordan Hill and rookie Tyvis Powell.

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