Three critical observations from Seattle Seahawks mock game

The Seattle Seahawks held their only scheduled mock game of 2023 training camp on Friday. The presumed first-team offense played against the presumed second-team defense, and vice versa (second-team offense going up against first-team defense). The practice is basically to get the young guys used to more game-like conditions.

The quarterbacks were also off-limits so pass rushers could get close to the quarterbacks and then play would be blown dead. That said, in one particular situation, a pass rusher for Seattle forced a turnover by getting a bit too close to one of the QBs. But more on that in a minute.

Otherwise, the team looks as prepared as possible for their first glorified scrimmage, otherwise known as a preseason game, when Seattle takes on the Minnesota Vikings at Lumen Field this coming Thursday. What might be different in the mock game versus the preseason game is that 12s might see more of the starters in the mock game. And here are three observations form the Seahawks mock game on Friday.

Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith looks ready

Smith has thrown quite a few more interceptions in training camp this year compared to last, but that could simply be that he isn't in a quarterback battle this camp and he feels freer to take some risks. But on Friday when he was guiding Seattle's first-team offense against players assumed to be backups on defense, Smith was sharp with his passes and efficient. In other words, he looked like first-half-of-2022 Geno, and that's a great thing.

Smith started the mock game by hitting DK Metcalf for 28 yards and followed that by lcoking in with Jaxon Smith-Njigba for 24 yards. The two throws are something that 12s are likely hoping to see a bunch of once the regular season begins. Smith-Njigba was a standout in the practice, just as he has been throughout training camp.

Smith finished 10 of 15 for 171 yards in the three possessions he played and the offense scored on each drive - one touchdown and two field goals. Metcalf and Smith-Njigba each had two receptions as well. Tyler Lockett didn't practice and was just getting rest due to a very minor hamstring issue. If Friday was a real game, Lockett would have played.