Seahawks Show Up With Some Surprises at OTAs
The word was out that more than a few star players weren’t going to be available this early in the offseason. The potential absence of their All Pro safety tandem was specifically mentioned when the Seahawks signed safeties Marcus Cromartie and Jerome Simone. We’re not complaining that one of those All Pros confounded the projections, believe me.
Earl Thomas at the OTAs is big, big news
Earl Thomas. Thomas reportedly participated in the vast majority of the action over the past two days. Apparently he wasn’t kidding about those intense workouts. We know you remember this tweet:
Thinking about all my teammates. I'm not gonna let y'all down real talk. pic.twitter.com/0hqblCbDdb
— Earl Thomas (@Earl_Thomas) March 14, 2017
Earl Thomas broke a tibia on December 4th. Earl Thomas doesn’t have time for that.
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Tyler Lockett’s presence is even more surprising
Tyler Lockett. While there we haven’t heard that Lockett saw the extensive action that Thomas did, Lockett was photographed with his helmet. Unless that’s his favorite helmet and he just likes having it around, it seems likely that Lockett at least got in a few reps. In this April interview with The Seattle Times‘ Bob Condotta, Lockett made it clear he’d be ready for the start of the season.
Just a reminder, Lockett broke his tibia and fibula on Christmas Eve. And he’s at the first OTA. OTAs do not include full contact nor full pads. Okay, fine. Did I mention he suffered two broken bones on Christmas Eve?
Some of the Seahawks that weren’t there
Let’s remember that the Organized Team Activities are voluntary. Players like Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril don’t exactly need the extra work, not with nineteen years of NFL experience on their knees. Avril is also recovering from surgery himself, so it’s no surprise neither of the D line stars attended the first OTA.
Two more players who are definitely missing due to injury are tackle Luke Joeckel and cornerback DeShawn Shead. Apparently they missed the bus trip to Lourdes or Yoda’s cave, or wherever Thomas and Lockett went in the offseason. Maybe they can get the hookup next time.