Seahawks training camp, notes and links
By Dan Viens
Today’s opening of training camp for the Seattle Seahawks was all positive, according to players and coaches.
The dawn of each new training camps springs eternal optimism for every team in the NFL. Even the Cleveland Browns have reason to feel good about themselves. The slate is wiped clean, the good teams have lost some of their best players to free agency, while the worst teams have added big names in the draft, presumably all with unlimited futures ahead of them.
Still, things can turn. Players suffer severe injuries during the opening practice, or fail to show up as they protest their current contract.
Last year the Seahawks were experiencing questions on both sides of that coin as they opened camp. Earl Thomas was coming off major shoulder surgery, and Kam Chancellor pulled a fast one and refused to report. Despite all the talent on hand, there was a big of a dark cloud over the VMAC last year; with major questions that needed to be answered.
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This year, the Hawks are coming off an off season that by all accounts seemed overwhelmingly positive, and as they hit the pristine turf in Renton today to open their 2016 camp, smiles, high fives, and superlatives were being tossed around like Skittles after an 80 yard Marshawn Lynch touchdown run.
Wilson on first #SeahawksCamp practice: "It was electric. The way we practice is incomparable."
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) July 30, 2016
Pete Carroll talked about his new contract extension, saying he had never felt better:
Pete Carroll on questions of how long he'll coach: "If you guys are worried about being 65, here it is! It ain't that bad!" #Seahawks
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) July 30, 2016
Most importantly of all, star DE Michael Bennett showed up to camp despite the fact he’s openly voiced his displeasure over his current contract. The News Tribunes Greg Bell and ESPN’s Sheil Kapadia were all over the Bennett angle today:
#Seahawks Insider video: DE Michael Bennett: "I just want to be a Seahawk for the rest of my life" https://t.co/ktxPEUQxBx @thenewstribune
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) July 30, 2016
"I just want to be a Seahawk for the rest of my life." The latest on Michael Bennett: https://t.co/i5UIKtABIT
— Sheil Kapadia (@SheilKapadia) July 30, 2016
One first-day standout that nearly everyone agreed on was 3rd year WR Paul Richardson. Is he finally injury-free and ready to cash in on his enormous potential? If today was any indication, he just might be….
WR Paul Richardson zooming down field on 1st day of #Seahawks camp as if last 2 years never happened to him. Long TD catch past Farmer
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) July 30, 2016
Paul Richardson update: he's still fast. #SeahawksCamp
— John Boyle (@johnpboyle) July 30, 2016
If Paul Richardson has a healthy season. My god, Seattle would have a very very nice stable of WRs.
— Mathias. (@Mat_Mannn) July 30, 2016
Health is one thing I can't predict. But even relative health for PRich (10 games?) would make this WR corps really special.
— Jared Stanger (@JaredStanger) July 30, 2016
Other players who seemed to stand out today were OLB Cassius Marsh, rookie RB Zac Brooks, and our old friend Brandon Browner.
Next: Predicting every Seahawk game in 2016
It’s just the first day, and we haven’t seen anyone in pads yet. But other than a couple minor, nagging injuries, by all accounts the first day of camp was nothing but positive.
Now the real work begins…..