Seattle Seahawks Training Camp Notes: July 31st
By Keith Myers
Jul 27, 2013; Renton, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks fans watch the 3rd day of training camp at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
There was a lot less energy in camp today. Players were slower between drills and between plays. This isn’t exactly unexpected though. Camp is long and players get tired of practicing when there is no game.
Jeremy Lane was wearing a walking boot. No word on how severe his injury is, but that’s not a good sign. He’s been having a pretty good camp so far.
Cliff Avril continues to be sidelined with a hamstring issue. The team says it’s not serious but, with Clemons still out and Irvin opening the season serving a four game suspension, the team needs Avril at full strength.
Bobby Wagner didn’t practice today, so Alan Bradford got the first team reps there. That was a bit surprising to be honest, usually KJ Wright moves over, but he stayed in the WILL spot.
I’ve lost count of all the players sidelined with injuries, but Curtis Crabtree said the number was up to 17. This is getting a little out of hand.
Russell Wilson had a very good day. He was dropping deep balls into tiny windows for big gains. In one stretch of four plays, he hit Golden Tate down the left sideline for a big gain to the 2 yard line, then hit Harper in the same spot for a TD. Then another short pass that hit Sean McGrath in the hands for what should have been a TD, but McGrath dropped the pass. All of those passes were 30+ yards.
It wasn’t just a “bad day” for the defense either. Jackson and Quinn both struggled and had a tough time completing anything. The backup QB battle is getting less interesting every day.
I haven’t been watching Richard Sherman closely because I tend to watch the roster-fringe guys during drills, but he still stood out. He never looks like he’s working that hard and he still dominates. It’s almost not fair when he covering guys who are just trying to make the team.
Golden Tate had a good practice. Sharper routes than I’ve ever seen from him to go along with the natural athleticism he’s always had. If he runs routes like that in games, he’ll be much improved this year.
Another WR who impressed was Aceto Clark. Sharp routes. Got open. Caught the ball. It was all short stuff, but he looks like an option in the slot. On a day when Kearse and Williams both failed to make plays, Clark stepped up.
Sean McGrath had a tough time holding onto the ball. He dropped at least two passes today, but it’s noteworthy that he got open in the first place. Even when he has an “off day” like today, he looks like he belongs.
For the first time in camp, WR Stephen Williams failed to stand out. He lined up against Richard Sherman a lot, which might have something to do with why. He also was limited in the final section of practice.
Tight end Luke Willson reportedly took a pretty hard shot from safety Winston Guy, and was having his arm looked at. The Seahawks are thin at TE, and can’t afford to lose Willson. Hopefully it isn’t serious.
I was mostly watching the TEs, WRs, and DBs today, so I don’t have much to say on the offensive and defensive lines. I will say that McQuistan and Moffitt were the first team offensive guards today, in case you’re following those battles.