Save The Date: Seahawks vs. Cardinals
The Countdown Is On – Game 1 Is In 38 Days – September 9th, 2012
1:25PM PT - University of Phoenix Stadium
After a much needed day off, the Seattle Seahawks returned to the practice fields for Camp Day 5 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center today, now just nine short days away from the pre season opener against Matt Hasselbeck, Jake Locker and the Tennessee Titans.
Small Observations
Ex UW WR Jermaine Kearse practiced today for the first time, after breaking his foot in offseason workouts. He didn’t look like he was out of football shape at all. Great to see more competition added into the receiver mix.
Jason Jones also practiced today for the first time this training camp, after missing the first four days for an undisclosed reason. Jones is going to be a key figure in the improved pass rush this season.
Offense
Josh Portis looked very good in the few passes I saw today. At this point in time I think the ‘Hawks would be better off not risking practice squad for him, instead cutting/trading Tarvaris Jackson and keeping Portis on the active roster.
Kearse had an excellent first day, including an impressive catch on a ball thrown behind him (by Jackson of course).
Kearse and Phil Bates are definite practice squad candidates, and only because of a deep receiving core. That’s a beautiful thing to say after the ‘Hawks churned Koren Robinson’s tires as late as three seasons ago.
The wide receiver competition is shaping up to be more intriguing than the quarterback competition, with locks being Sidney Rice, Golden Tate and Doug Baldwin.
Bubble players include Ben Obomanu, Ricardo Lockette, Kris Durham and Deon Butler, who is enjoying a great last few days of camp.
Fray players Braylon Edwards, Antonio Bryant, Phil Bates and Jermaine Kearse will also push hard for an (active) roster spot.
Defense
During Doug Baldwin’s question and answer session on Twitter on July 26th, he said that sophomore defensive lineman Pep Levingston was the most underrated player on the roster. After close to a week of training camp, I have to disagree.
On a deep defensive line, Levingston has done nothing to earn a spot on the team. He seems to lack leverage, a similar issue that plagued Red Bryant before the move to defensive end.
Despite being the only none Pro-Bowl member of the starting secondary last season, Richard Sherman may very well be the best member of that group.
He celebrated Golden Tate‘s birthday by absolutely bullying him in drills, and made a few nice plays on balls thrown Kearse and Bates’ way as well.
Most fans figure Golden Tate will continue his development in 2012/13. That’s a good thing.
Speaking of the secondary, you can tell the kind of chemistry Brandon Browner, Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor and Sherman have with each other.
It really is noticeable in drills when groups sub in and out and the four of them finally get to be together.
This is the year they are going to cement themselves as the best secondary in the NFL.
Quarterback Competition
It’s not a competition anymore; Matt Flynn is head and shoulders above the rest of the group. He has shown stuff that Tarvaris Jackson never did in his first five years in the league.
Russell Wilson had a good day today and only missed on a few passes. Tomorrow is his day to run with the one’s so he should have another good showing.
Jackson actually looked very good in receiver drills, but fell apart when defensive players were added, throwing behind receivers on numerous occasions. If he makes it past the cut to 75 I will be shocked.
What They’re Saying
Incumbent starter Tarvaris Jackson spoke with the media after Thursday’s practice.
On what the coaching staff wanted him to improve on this offseason:
“You can get better in everything, getting rid of the football, a lot of times last year I was taking hits and sacks. Accuracy downfield on deep balls is big as well”.
On Golden Tate’s change from last season to now: “He lost a little weight this offseason, he’s a lot quicker. He always had the talent, but by him losing a few pounds he can get down the field faster.
A lot quicker in and out of his breaks now as well.”
There you have it folks.
More coming soon on our Seahawks blog. Stay tuned for our next Camp Confidential as well from NWSB.
You can watch Seahawks training camp live everyday at http://www.seahawks.com/videos-photos/live.html