Seahawks voluntary OTAs are done so who did well?

The Seahawks had their last day of voluntary workouts on Thursday. Who, according to Pete Carroll, did well in OTAs? And what about injuries?

The Seattle Seahawks have finished their voluntary workouts for 2018. Next week will be the start of mandatory practices. Then there will be a six week break and then training camp begins. There are plenty of questions left to be answered, like will Earl Thomas show up next week? But Pete Carroll was highly impressed by some players in practice in his Thursday post-practice press conference.

Shaquill Griffin

Carroll compared cornerback Shaquill Griffin‘s rookie season to quarterback Russell Wilson’s. Carroll said unlike other rookies, he never saw the “ebbs and flows” of “intensity and focus” from Griffin. In this way Griffin was like how Wilson was in the quarterback’s first year.

Clearly, comparing any player in Seattle to Wilson is high praise. But just imagine if Griffin can be the cornerback version of Wilson as a quarterback. Griffin would become a leader of the defense and consistent Pro Bowl talent. This is what Seattle needs at this point from Griffin.

Ethan Pocic

Carroll also singled out how happy the team was with Ethan Pocic‘s size increase. Pocic is almost guaranteed to be a starting guard on the Seahawks in 2018. As a rookie, Pocic was still undersized and not nearly NFL-strong enough.

Pocic, however, is “20 pounds heavier” than in 2017. An offseason of weight training will do that. I am thinking Pocic is going to be a staple of Seattle’s offensive line for several years. Possibly earning that ever elusive second contract from John Schneider, at least elusive for an offensive lineman.

Chris Carson

Chris Carson has looked, according to Carroll, “awesome” and “fit” and “cut.” Carson has always looked like a physical freak, but even more so now. 12s thought Carson ran with ferocity and strength last season. But now teamed with Rashaad Penny, Carson could help form one of the NFL’s best running back duos.

I already wrote how Carson should start in week one of 2018. There is nothing he has done this offseason that would sway me from that thought.

Next: Is Pete Carroll the best coach in the NFC West?

There were also a few injury concerns heading into next week’s mandatory minicamp, but that is an article for another time. This one is about happiness and hope. And Carroll thinks Carson, Pocic and Shaq Griffin will help make Seattle’s 2018 a good one.