And here they are, Five Impressions from today’s mini-camp from Seahawks beat writers Jayson Jenks and Bob Condotta.
1, Linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis got some work alongside first-team linebackers Bobby Wagner and K.J. Wright. Pierre-Louis, Seattle’s speedy fourth-round draft pick this year, worked with the first team because Malcolm Smith, Bruce Irvin and Korey Toomer didn’t practice. It can be hard in non-contact drills to see how a linebacker plays, but Pierre-Louis’ speed is obvious. If he makes the team, he should be a solid special-teams contributor.
3, The backup offensive tackles, Garry Gilliam and second-round pick Justin Britt, spent the day working alongside Seattle’s first-team interior offensive linemen — center Max Unger and guards James Carpenter and J.R. Sweezy. And the Seahawks’ first-team tackles, Alvin Bailey and Michael Bowie, worked with the second-team interior offensive line. Since we didn’t talk to Pete Carroll today, we didn’t hear an explanation for that. But it was the first time I’ve noticed that.
4, Weird moment of the day: cornerback Jeremy Lane and receiver Ricardo Lockette were battling for position down the sideline on a deep pass. With the ball in the air, Lane was ahead of Lockette when both players fell down. Initially, one of the officials working the practice threw a flag on Lane for pass interference. The defense completely disagreed and protested. After a few minutes, the call was reversed. Not sure I’ve seen that before, even in a practice, but it was the right call. Lane, who is Seattle’s nickel corner at the moment, had good position.
5, Not surprising that Earl Thomas, Richard Sherman and Doug Baldwin were some of the most visibly involved players in Wednesday’s fight during practice. Those three help set the tone for the way Seattle practices, and all three are reluctant to ever back down. When things got heated and words were exchanged, those three were pretty much in the middle of all of it.
1, We recapped the fight in an earlier blog, and in our story. While fun to read about, these things do need to be kept in the perspective that they happen in football — the Raiders, Redskins and Cowboys all also had some manner of fight in practice today. And as Jayson noted, it was some of the team’s most notorious competitors at the center of it all. You can also probably make too much out of the idea that this proves they aren’t complacent after winning a Super Bowl. But there may be something to that, as well.If nothing else, it’s a pretty memorable way to head into the summer break.
2, Chris Matthews, a 6-5 receiver signed as a free agent from the CFL, was in red today and able to get in some work in non-team settings. As I’ve noted a few times, he looks the part physically and the team is definitely intrigued by what he might be able to do. For now, he needs to get healthy for training camp and able to make an early impression in what is a deep receiving corps.
3, Like Jayson, I noted the offensive line shuffle. It could have been just wanting to mix and match those guys and let Britt and Gilliam work with the ones and see how they do. But we’ve also heard Darrell Bevell say that Bailey needs to lose some weight, and Tom Cable said on ESPN 710 today that Bowie also needs to watch his weight and understand the competitiveness of the situation. He said Bowie had been responding well. But who knows if maybe for a day, at least, some sort of message might also being sent. Worth noting that Cable said in that same radio interview today he expected the Bowie/Britt battle to last through the pre-season.
4, For once, I have a different Play of the Day. Mine is a one-handed interception made by Byron Maxwell as he was falling backward near the sidelines. Wilson tried to hit Ricardo Lockette on the play but Maxwell leapt up and caught it, instead. Terrance Parks also had an interception and he continues to look like a guy who will last a while in the conversation for a spot as a backup safety.
5, The Seahawks will receive their Super Bowl rings following practice tomorrow, though it’s not something open to the public of media. There will undoubtedly be some more recognition of the team later, such as raising the banner at CenturyLink Field. But no details have yet been announced on those things. The Super Bowl Trophy has been here all week and the team earlier announced some events where it will be available for viewing by the public.
6, And hey, a bonus impression! Cassius Marsh got a lot of work today, including a sack. This is just his second practice with the full team as he missed OTAs. But his quickness is evident. We’ll learn a lot more once the pads go on.