Seattle Seahawks wrap up first offseason practice

The Seattle Seahawks wrapped up an OTA workout on Tuesday, and head coach Pete Carroll answered questions from the media. There was a lot of be learned from the first full-team practice of the year.

While everyone else seems to be trying to make the story about the players who weren’t there, I’d rather talk about the players who were practicing. These workouts aren’t mandatory, so it really isn’t a big deal if veteran players miss a few days. Seriously, it isn’t worth worrying about.

Lemuel Jeanpierre worked with the first team at center and Carroll indicated that could stay that way. Says brings a veteran presence.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) May 26, 2015

Patrick Lewis has already been replaced as the starting center. Pete Carroll said the team like JeanPiere’s veteran presence in there with the first team because of all the other youngsters on the line. While it doesn’t mean that Lewis won’t eventually earn the starting job, that he’s been removed from that slot so quickly isn’t a good sign.

Alvin Bailey looked noticeably slimmer. Carroll said he'd been in the 350s for a long time.
— Curtis Crabtree (@Curtis_Crabtree) May 26, 2015

Bailey is a guy who can play, and possibly start, at four different positions. The Seahawks challenged him to get in better shape in the offseason if he wanted a shot at earning a starting job. Apparently he took it that challenge seriously.

Christine Michael will get most of the preseason work Turbin working back and Lynch on his veteran schedule. "This is his time." - Carroll.
— Curtis Crabtree (@Curtis_Crabtree) May 26, 2015

Turbin had hip surgery, but while he is expected to be ready for training camp, he isn’t ready now. Marshawn Lynch rarely practices in the summer, and will only get a few reps in training camp. That leaves Christine Michael as the workhorse right now.

Carroll said Michael needs to show consistency. Said Michael is much more comfortable now.
— Curtis Crabtree (@Curtis_Crabtree) May 26, 2015

This is the opportunity that Michael needed to prove that he is ready for more playing time once the games begin. We all know that he is a tremendous athlete, now he needs to prove he can do the little things required to gain the trust of the coaching staff.

Will Blackmon was the starting nickel with Lane out. That spot could get real competitive with Lane's status remaining uncertain.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) May 26, 2015

This isn’t much of a surprise. The Seahawks will have a competition for that spot, and there aren’t that many players capable of playing there. Marcus Burley and rookie Tye Smith are the only real competition Blackmon has at the moment.

Pete Carroll: #Seahawks will be conservative returning Paul Richardson from Jan. torn ACL, but says 2nd yr WR could be ready for tng camp
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) May 26, 2015

It is almost shocking that Richardson could be ready to return to the field during training camp. He tore his ACL in the playoff game against Carolina. He also had previously injured that same knee while he was in college, and a second injury typically has a considerably longer recovery time.

And says Jeremy Lane has had another issue come up with his arm. No real ETA on return at moment.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) May 26, 2015

Lane had a gruesome injury in the Super Bowl on the interception return where be broke his arm and tore his ACL. The arm injury prevented him from having his ACL surgery right away, and now he’s had a setback as well. At this point, a mid-season return for Lane seems like an optimistic guess.

Team practiced without helmets to try to get the right tempo, Carroll says, after having run afoul of NFL rules a few times in past years.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) May 26, 2015

The Seahawks have gotten themselves in trouble in each of the last two seasons for having too much contact at these workouts. They are supposed to be non-contact drills, but the players have pushed those boundaries at times.

To help make sure that the team stayed within the rules, Carroll decided to practice without helmets. The result was a much slower and less intense workout. The team also invited representatives from the league office to watch the workout and help make sure that the team stayed within the rules.

Overall, it was a good first practice for the Seahawks. Most importantly, there were no new injuries. That is always the best possible result this early in the process.

Next: Seahawks fans are currently far from united

More from 12th Man Rising

Home/Seattle Seahawks News