Clark & Lockett prove they were worth it

August 15, 2015 cc Leave a comment

Lockett and Carroll Aug. 14 — As Tyler Lockett finishes his 103-yard TD return, referee Eugene Hall collides with Pete Carroll on the sideline.

The Seahawks took a lot of heat for drafting Frank Clark and Tyler Lockett with their first two picks this year.

The media ripped them for using the 63rd overall pick on Clark, who was kicked off Michigan’s team last year after he was involved in a domestic disturbance. And some were dubious of Seattle’s move to trade four draft picks to take Lockett six spots after they drafted Clark.

Clark clearly has to keep his nose clean off the field for eternity, but the performances by him and Lockett on Friday were a nice little sampler of what Pete Carroll and John Schneider expected when they drafted them.

Lockett returned a kickoff 103 yards for a touchdown and finished with 188 yards on four kick returns and 18 yards on his only punt runback in Seattle’s 22-20 loss to the Denver Broncos. Clark, meanwhile, was a monster along the defensive front all game, finishing with a game-high nine tackles and a forced fumble.

As Carroll said after the game, “That’s a beautiful first message they sent us.”

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State of the team, Training camp

Training camp status report: Defense

August 14, 2015 cc Leave a comment

The Seahawks open the preseason against the Denver Broncos tonight in Seattle. Here is our breakdown of the defense, what we will be watching in the first game and our updated roster projections:

DEFENSIVE LINE
Veterans: Michael Bennett, Cliff Avril, Brandon Mebane, Ahtyba Rubin, Jordan Hill, Cassius Marsh, Greg Scruggs, Demarcus Dobbs, D’Anthony Smith, Jesse Williams, David King, Jimmy Staten, Julius Warmsley
Rookies: Frank Clark, Obum Gwacham, T.Y. McGill

Pete Carroll says this defensive front is the fastest he has had in Seattle — clearly a nod to the addition of Clark. The coach was stoked about the unit after the scrimmage last weekend, and he is clearly excited about a pass rush that features Bennett, Avril, Clark, Hill and Bruce Irvin.

The one bummer was the release of Tony McDaniel, who turned out to be the cap casualty over Mebane after the big contracts given to Russell Wilson and Bobby Wagner.

Bennett still is unhappy with his contract, and he even told McDaniel he would love to be back in Tampa Bay (he probably saw the Bucs’ salary cap space: $13.7 million).

But Bennett has been mentoring Clark, who is going to be Bennett Jr. this season — an inside-out player.

“I lean on him a lot; he looks out for me a lot,” Clark said of Bennett. “He’s a guy that’s been in the league for a numerous amount of years. He has experience. He’s a great player, as well as Cliff Avril, Big Mebane; they teach me a lot of things, just the proper techniques of how to play NFL football.”

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Injury report, Preseason

First game is about Baby Boomers & Jesse Williams

August 13, 2015 cc Leave a comment

The Legion of Boom’s three key members played in the Super Bowl despite being about 50 percent healthy.

To illustrate just how little the first preseason game means in comparison, none of them will be on hand Friday.

Safeties Earl Thomas (shoulder) and Kam Chancellor (holdout) have not been available to practice all camp so far, and now Richard Sherman has a hip problem that will keep him out against the Denver Broncos.

“Sherman’s got a little bit of irritation in the hip flexor area,” Pete Carroll said Thursday, “so we’re going to tend to that and take care of that and make sure he’s right for the long haul.”

Top nickel corner Will Blackmon also is not expected to play.

“Will’s got a groin thing that is bothering him a little bit,” Carroll said. “Real slight, but again those are the kinds of decisions we’ll probably make in favor of holding him out.”

With Tharold Simon and Jeremy Lane both recovering from surgeries, that means Marcus Burley, rookie Tye Smith, trade acquisition Mohammed Seisay and receiver convert Doug McNeil all will see time opposite and in place of new right corner Cary Williams.

Call it the Legion of Baby Boomers.

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State of the team, Training camp

Training camp status report: Offense

August 13, 2015 cc Leave a comment

The Seahawks open the preseason against the Denver Broncos on Friday in Seattle. Here is our breakdown of the
offense, what we will be watching in the first game and our updated roster projections:

QUARTERBACK
Veterans: Russell Wilson, Tarvaris Jackson, R.J. Archer

Wilson’s No. 1 goal in camp has been to develop and refine his rapport with Jimmy Graham.

“Chemistry has been more than I could ever imagine,” Graham said after the scrimmage Aug. 8. “For example, today in the scrimmage we had one we didn’t connect on; so, after practice, we did it about four or five times. And that is how we’re going to do it each and every day. Anything we’re iffy about we’re going to get it after practice. The season is right here; and, when those big moments come, I want that connection to be right.”

Earlier this week, Pete Carroll said, “They’re not there yet. It’s just going to take time. The intricacies of the things that they’re trying to do together go way deep, so it’s going to take them a lot of time. … Both of them are really determined to get this thing figured out. They’re doing great, but there’s more room for them to make up.”

By all reports, Archer has been off target in most practices — putting to rest any thoughts that he might challenge Jackson, who still puts up a great deep ball.

The Hawks have their eyes open for other QBs — they reportedly worked out Jake Waters, who was Tyler Lockett’s QB at Kansas State.

What to watch: Wilson to Graham, of course.

Projected (2): Wilson, Jackson

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CHAWK LINES, Training camp

August 13, 2015 cc Leave a comment

Some observations from a stormy Day 11 of camp from those who were there (and other features):

Bob Condotta of The Times recounts Keavon Milton’s journey to possible No. 1 left guard.

The Seahawks don’t know how many tight ends they are going to keep: three or four? Does Will Tukuafu count?

Speaking of tight ends, Anthony McCoy feels “normal” after Achilles injuries cost him the past two seasons.

Mohammed Seisay continues to make plays even as he adjusts to the playbook and pace of practice: “I’m going to get real comfortable and start making a lot more plays.”

Richard Sherman had the day off, and he spent it talking to cover-2 guru Monte Kiffin.

Pete Carroll told KJR-AM that the Hawks catered to Percy Harvin’s talents last year, “to our detriment somewhat,” but Darrell Bevell said they don’t have to change for Jimmy Graham: “We can just plug him in.”

Field Gulls interviewed Doug McNeil about his circuitous journey to the Seahawks and his change of positions.

Peyton Manning is not expected to play Friday when the Broncos visit the Seahawks.

State of the team, The roster, Training camp

Don’t worry about the offensive line

August 12, 2015 cc Leave a comment

Okung and Cable — Tom Cable watches his linemen drill (Seahawks.com)

Good offensive lines typically are
defined by the four C’s: continuity, consistency, cohesion, camaraderie.

But, the Seahawks get by most of the time with just one C: Cable.

That’s why there’s no reason to be worried about Seattle’s offensive line — despite the uncertainty at center and left guard this year and left tackle and right guard next year. As always, Tom Cable will hook it up.

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CHAWK LINES, Training camp

August 12, 2015 cc Leave a comment

Some observations from Day 10 of camp from those who were there (and other features):

Jordan Hill says his quickness inside can be a disadvantage on run plays. Said DC Kris Richard: “We like our guys stopping the run on the way to the quarterback.”

Rookie Keenan Lambert wants to play alongside his half-brother, Kam Chancellor. Of course, Lambert will have to make the team and Chancellor will have to report for that to happen. In the meantime, Chancellor continues to coach up the young safeties.

The Pete Carroll Secondary School is in session, we wrote for Today’s Pigskin.

Marshawn Lynch looks like a happy camper, Gregg Bell reports.

The players are getting tired of practicing against each other, as evidenced by a couple of scuffles.

Michael Bennett helped convince Tony McDaniel to sign with Tampa Bay — and the disgruntled Bennett told McDaniel “he wishes he could come back down here.” McDaniel said he was shocked to be cut, and he confirmed that the Hawks told him it was a salary cap move.

CHAWK LINES, Training camp

August 10, 2015 cc Leave a comment

Some observations from Day 9 of camp from those who were there (and other features):

Dion Bailey is working as the No. 1 strong safety now because “you can’t deny the production.”

Drew Nowak is challenging for the starting center spot, and now Keavon Milton is in the hunt at left guard — at least the Hawks would have Alvin Bailey think so.

Bruce Irvin, out to prove something in a contract year, is having his best camp.

Pete Carroll said Kevin Pierre-Louis stood out most after watching film of the scrimmage Saturday.

So much for Tony McDaniel possibly returning. He reportedly has a deal with Tampa Bay.

Field Gulls rounded up a bunch of radio interviews from the past few days.

CHAWK LINES, Training camp

August 9, 2015 cc Leave a comment

Some observations from the scrimmage on Day 8 of camp from those who were there (and other features):

In his Facebook camp notes, Doug Baldwin says second-year safety Dion Bailey has impressed him.

Dave Boling of The News Tribune says it’s just more of the same for the chaotic offensive line. He includes this telling stat: Under Pete Carroll, the Seahawks have started 23 linemen in five years; the Colts and Chargers lead the way at 25.

The Seattle Times guys wrote about receivers Chris Matthews and Kasen Williams, among other observations.

Danny O’Neil of 710 ESPN was impressed by Jimmy Graham and also noted the ongoing shuffling along the offensive line.

Hawk Blogger Brian Nemhauser thinks Drew Nowak is the favorite to start at center.

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Injury report, Training camp

Thomas, Simon still a couple of weeks away

August 8, 2015 cc Leave a comment

A week into camp, it’s a good time to assess the Seahawks’ injury situation. Pete Carroll provided updates after the scrimmage today:

FS Earl Thomas (shoulder), who came off PUP this week, is still a couple of weeks away from practicing with the team. The Hawks removed him from PUP so he could participate in walk-through practices.

Carroll said, “He can get in there and get all of his reps there. There’s 50-something snaps in walk-through that he wasn’t able to get under the conditions of the PUP. So now he’s back and at least he’s getting half the time. It’s still a couple weeks away, but we’re getting closer and we’re trying to get him involved so that he can continue to progress too.”

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