Seattle Seahawks Training Camp Notes: Day 4

The Seahawks have an off day tomorrow, so hopefully we’ll see a bunch of players back on the field when the team gets back to work on Tuesday. Lots of notes and observations today, including a couple that I know wont make a few of you particularly happy.

• It was good to see the team in pads for the first time this year. (I missed yesterday’s practice which was also in pads) The pace and energy were much better than 2 days ago, and I expect that having real contact involved had something to do with that.

• Speaking of pads, player evaluation gets easier now. Everyone looks good in shorts and shells (well, some don’t, but those players get cut and replaced before the first preseason game), but once the pads are on the true gamers separate themselves.

• I’ve never been a major fan of Jermaine Kearse within the offense, and he’s not making me a believer so far in camp. Those people suggesting that he’s a lock to make this team are simply showing their UW Husky colors a bit too much. Right now I’d put him well behind a couple others he’s fighting for a roster spot with. Then again, Kearse’s strength is his superb special teams play, and that is impossible to judge before the preseason games begin, so I certainly wouldn’t count him out either.

• The player pushing Kearse the most is Stephan Williams. The 6-5 27 year old has shown much more polish in his routes, better hands, and the toughness to battle with Brandon Browner. Williams has to show he can contribute on the special teams still if he’s going to make this roster, but right now he’s way ahead of everyone else competing for that 6th WR position.

• The Seahawks waived WR Justin Veltung and signed RB Ray Holley. I’ve been very unimpressed by Veltung so far, so seeing him cut doesn’t surprise me. The Seahawks needs another back with both Turbin and Robinson sidelined with injuries.

• Cliff Avril sat out today, and the team still didn’t rotate Bruce Irvin up into the Leo DE spot in practice. I think it’s safe to say that he’s not going to be playing that role this year. The team seems set on having him pass rush only from the SAM linebacker spot.

• The lack of reps for Spencer Ware as a lead blocker is getting concerning. The team lists him as a FB, but the only time he ever lines up at the position is on passing plays. Ware has great hands, and looks like he could be the 3rd down back if Turbin is out, but he’s still has a lot of learning to do at FB. Perhaps they are working him up to that, and he’ll see more reps after the break, but it’s definitely something to keep an eye on.

• Don’t sleep on Derrick Coleman at FB. He’s been the primary FB while Michael Robinson has been out with a sore ankle, and he’s looked good in the role. Coleman probably isn’t as good as Robinson (I’m a huge Robinson fan, I’m not going to lie), but keeping Coleman at FB instead saves the team about $2 million in cap space. The team needs to drop a lot of salary still, and this swap gets them through half of it.

• The Moffitt – Sweezy competition at RG is fun to watch. They’ve alternated who’s running with the 1st unit each day (Sweezy on the odd days, and Moffitt on the even days) and both players are playing like they have something to prove. While neither has been immune to mistakes, both have been playing with a game-like intensity.

• Percy Harvin wasn’t at practice today (or at least I didn’t see him). I’m assuming he traveling to New York, where he has a Tuesday morning appointment for his hip. We likely wont get word on the results until Wednesday or Thursday of next week.

Jul 27, 2013; Renton, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks offensive and defensive line run drills during the 3rd day of training camp at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports