Wednesday in Hawkville
A recap of the day’s activities at Virginia Mason Athletic Center:
FOCUS ON
Sidney Rice. The wide receiver who has yet to play because of a sore shoulder participated fully in today’s full-pads practice, but his status for Sunday’s home opener against the Arizona Cardinals at CenturyLink Field has yet to be determined.
“He looks like he’s ready to go,” coach Pete Carroll said before practice. “His mentality is he’s ready to go. He is not even thinking about anything but that.
“But we’ll have to make a good decision on that when the time comes. We’re day-to-day on this deal with him.”
Rice looked the part in practice, catching several passes from QB Tarvaris Jackson while working opposite Mike Williams with the No. 1 offense.
Coordinator Darrell Bevell, who coached Rice and Jackson in Minnesota the past four seasons, was asked how Rice’s presence could change the offense once he does return.
“One player can have an effect on your offense,” Bevell said. “Sidney brings juice and he brings some excitement. He brings the deep threat that you’re looking for just to back people off. When he’s in there, you always have that threat. So it definitely can help.”
PLAYER WATCH
Paul McQuistan. Another week, another starter at left guard. Rookie James Carpenter moved over from right tackle to start the opener because Robert Gallery was out with a sprained knee. Sunday, Gallery was back – but aggravated a groin injury that will require surgery to repair and sideline him for at least a month.
So McQuistan steps in, and will make his first NFL start since 2007.
“Losing Robert is a big deal, so rather than switch it around again like we did before we’re kind of settled now on the right side,” line coach Tom Cable said of Carpenter and rookie guard John Moffitt. “Both those kids played extremely well (against the Steelers). So rather than make two changes, make one and used the most experienced guy.”
That’s McQuistan, who like Gallery played for Cable in Oakland. How much will that help? “It’s huge,” Cable said.
Offered coordinator Darrell Bevell, “He’s a veteran guy, so we expect him to step in and not miss a beat. Kind of the next-man-up deal, and he’s done fine.”
OPPONENT WATCH
Kevin Kolb. The Cardinals have a new quarterback, and he’s no stranger to the Seahawks.
Carroll said the team explored the possibility of acquiring Kolb from the Philadelphia Eagles the past two offseasons, but opted against it because of “just compensation and amount and all the stuff.” The Cardinals traded a second-round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft and cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie to the Eagles to acquire Kolb and then signed him to a five-year contract extension that includes $21 million in guaranteed money.
“It was a big consideration. He’s a very good player,” Carroll said. “We thought that from the start and we were always in the thought that he would be a guy that we would be interested in for the future. But it just didn’t work out right.”
In his first two games as a Cardinal, Kolb has completed 35 of 57 passes for 560 yards, with four TD passes and one interception, for a 110.3 passer rating that ranks fifth in the league.
“He’s shown the ability to make big plays,” Carroll said. “He’s got a little zip to him, in that he’ll take a shot at stuff and he’s been very good at creating.
“They’re benefitting from this acquisition. He looks very good in their program.”
IN AND OUT
Linebacker Malcolm Smith returned to practice after sitting out last week with a sore hamstring, and immediately displayed his explosiveness closing ability on a couple of plays.
Four players remain sidelined: fullback Michael Robinson (ankle), cornerback Byron Maxwell (ankle), tackle Jarriel King (ankle) and Gallery. Defensive end Raheem Brock also did not practice, but his absence was not injury related.
Carroll said that Robinson’s status for Sunday’s game will be determined later in the week, but that Maxwell, Gallery and King will not play.
For the Cardinals, linebacker Daryl Washington (calf) did not practice and four players were limited: tight end Jim Dray (pectoral), wide receiver DeMarco Sampson (hamstring), running back LaRod Stephens-Howling (hand) and wide receiver Chansi Stuckey (hamstring).
STAT DU JOUR
The number 13, as in McQuistan will become the 13th player to start at left guard during the regular season for Seattle since a certain All-Pro and Pro Bowl player signed with the Vikings after the Seahawks’ run to the Super Bowl in 2005. Here’s a look at who has started when:
2006: Floyd “Pork Chop” Womack (eight games), Chris Spencer (five), Rob Sims (three)
2007: Sims (16)
2008: Mike Wahle (10), Womack (six)
2009: Sims (14), Mansfield Wrotto (one), Steve Vallos (one)
2010: Ben Hamilton (six), Mike Gibson (five), Chester Pitts (four), Tyler Polumbus (one)
2011: James Carpenter (one), Robert Gallery (one), McQuistan
UP NEXT
“Turnover Thursday,” as the players will practice at 1:30 tomorrow. And the emphasis on turnovers will be even greater this week because the Seahawks are one of two teams in the league that have yet to force one.
“We’ve got to get the football,” Carroll said. “We’ve gone two games without getting a turnover. That’s so far off the charts with us. We’ve got to get the ball, which adds so much. It puts the field position in a different setting, gives the offense opportunities for their movement and just changes the climate of how we’re playing. So that’s one enormous issue for us.”
YOU DON’T SAY
“Really, on every play there’s guys running downfield. There’s emphasis on trying to get the ball down the field. But he’s just not going to be willy-nilly with the ball, just throw it down there just to say we took a shot.” – Bevell, when asked if he was encouraging Jackson to throw the ball deep more often
Rank ‘n file
Don’t look now, but the final game of the preseason it seemed never would arrive is Friday night, when the Seahawks host the Oakland Raiders at CenturyLink Field.
Entering the game, a couple of rookie linebackers lead the club in tackles. Middle linebacker K.J. Wright, a fourth-round draft choice, has 11. Outside ’backer Malcolm Smith, a seventh-rounder, has 10 – although he has one more solo stop than Wright, 9-8.
Another rookie, sixth-round pick Byron Maxwell, leads the club in special teams tackles with four.
Rookie free agent Doug Baldwin leads the team with eight receptions, one more than tight ends Dominique Byrd and Anthony McCoy. Baldwin also leads in kickoff (40.2) and punt (11.5) return average. That 40.2-yard average on kickoff returns, stoked by his 105-yarder against the Broncos on Saturday night, also ranks fourth in the league.
As a team, the Seahawks rank 26th in total offense (18th rushing, 27th passing) and 19th in total defense (16th rushing, 22nd passing). Their plus-3 turnover ratio is tied for fifth in the league. They have four takeaways and have turned the ball over only once – the pass that went off the hands of Golden Tate and was returned for a touchdown against the Vikings.
Cyber surfing: Friday
Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, Aug. 12:
The Seahawks opened their preseason with a half-not-so-good, half-very-good effort against the Chargers in San Diego, pulling out a 24-17 victory. So that’s obviously the topic du jour.
Danny O’Neil at the Seattle Times leads with the ankle injury that sent left tackle Russell Okung to the locker room on the first series of the game. Says O’Neil: “But stats don’t mean nearly as much as the potential absence of a player like Okung. He suffered an ankle injury last August, too. That was his right ankle, and a high ankle sprain forced him to miss the final two exhibition games and first three regular-season games. He hurt his left ankle on Oct. 24 against Arizona, causing him to miss three more games.”
Eric Williams at the News Tribune also went with the obvious, because it’s news and more meaningful than the “young pups,” as coach Pete Carroll called them, rallying for the win. But there were other angles. Offers Williams: “Playing against his former team for the first time since arriving in Seattle in a trade with San Diego (0-1) last year, reserve quarterback Charlie Whitehurst took the majority of the snaps, playing the second and third quarters. Whitehurst was efficient, completing 14 of 20 passes for 115 yards with no interceptions.”
Here at Seahawks.com, we made it three-for-three on the Okung angle. As for the other angles, Carroll dedicated this game to the younger players in the team meeting on Wednesday night: “But Carroll was just as obviously pleased with the effort of his younger players in the second half. In the team meeting on Wednesday night, Carroll dedicated the game to the them and they responded by scoring 24 second-half points after the Chargers had taken a 10-0 lead at the half. ‘It was really great to see them finish the game,’ Carroll said after they had done just that. ‘They won on defense and knocked the winning touchdown in with the third group in there and all those young pups in there. So it was really exciting to see that happen.’ ”
We’ve also got a “game at a glance” recap of the game, with Thomas Clayton as the “player of the game,” and Tony Ventrella’s video review.
Mike Sando at ESPN.com offers his thoughts. Says Sando: “Rookie linebacker K.J. Wright recognized a screen play quickly and tracked down the receiver for a decisive tackle. Two other Seattle rookie draft choices, linebacker Malcolm Smith and safety Mark LeGree, provided bit hits. Smith chased on his play and finished strong. LeGree broke up a pass with his hit. LeGree also secured Seattle’s victory by breaking up a pass in the end zone on the Chargers’ final play.”
Camp Carroll: Day 13
A recap of the afternoon practice at Seahawks training camp on Tuesday:
FOCUS ON
Byron Maxwell. The team’s sixth-round draft choice is starting to flash just in time for Thursday night’s nationally televised preseason opener against the Chargers in San Diego.
The rookie cornerback from Clemson intercepted two passes today to go with the one he had on Monday. One of his picks today came while he was lined up as the nickel back and covering a slot receiver.
Told that he looked comfortable in that role, Maxwell said, “I don’t feel comfortable. I’m just learning on the fly.”
Which pick was better? The one he got on an overthrown ball while playing corner? Or the one he got by stepping in front of slot receiver Chris Carter while playing nickel back?
“Either one is fine with me,” Maxwell said with a laugh.
Coach Pete Carroll could only agree.
“He’s been really special the last two or three days,” Carroll said after the 2 hour, 10 minute practice. “He looks very competitive. He’s tough. He’s tackled well. He’s got a nose for the football. He’s really bright. He’s really picked things up.
“He’s right in the mix of this with the young cornerbacks.”
TAKE THAT
Payback can be sweet. Just ask Leon Washington. The 5-foot-8, 203-pound running back made a textbook block to drop blitzing linebacker Malcolm Smith, a 6-foot, 226-pound rookie linebacker, setting off a raucous celebration by his offensive teammates.
“Honestly, Malcolm got me a few times earlier in camp,” Washington said with a smile. “I’ve been gunning for him, trying to get him back. I finally got a chance.”
Just another “tool” in Washington’s already impressive ace-of-many-trades repertoire. He returned three kickoffs for touchdowns last season and also had an 84-yard punt return. This season, he’s expected to get more plays at running back.
“Leon had a spectacular block on Malcolm Smith today,” Carroll said. “Malcolm has made a bunch of plays in camp, so this was a little payback for the offense because they got him once today. It kind of raised the level of the whole practice on that one hit. It was a fantastic block by Leon.”
LAPPING THE FIELD
After a rash of false-start penalties last week, the offensive linemen decided to do something about it. Get a penalty, take a lap. They started the penalty-for-a-penalty process on Saturday, and today’s lappers were left guard Robert Gallery, tight end Anthony McCoy, right tackle James Carpenter and left tackle Russell Okung.
“It’s a way of kind of punishing ourselves,” Okung said. “We’ve just got to get better. It’s inexcusable. We can’t have false starts. They kill an offense. So if this is what it’s going to take, or even more than this, this is what it’s going to take.”
PLAYS OF THE DAY
Offense: Washington’s payback hit on Smith, of course.
Defense: Smith wasn’t the only one with two picks. Earl Thomas also had a pair, and the second came when the second-year free safety darted in front of slot receiver Golden Tate while lined up as the nickel back to intercept a Tarvaris Jackson pass.
ON THE MEND
Several players likely will not play against the Chargers, Carroll said. The list includes wide receiver Mike Williams (sprained toe), defensive end Red Bryant (who is coming off knee surgery), rookie wide receiver Kris Durham (strained hamstring) and defensive lineman Kentwan Balmer (stinger).
Cornerback Walter Thurmond and defensive lineman Ryan Sims also sat out today, while linebacker Aaron Curry and running back Thomas Clayton were back after missing practice on Monday.
UP NEXT
The team will hold a walk-thru on Wednesday morning before flying to San Diego for Thursday night’s preseason opener. The players will be off Friday, so the next practice open to the public is Saturday at 1:30.
Today’s practice drew a crowd of 1,003 fans and 1,051 attended Monday’s practice. You can register to attend Saturday’s practice here.
YOU DON’T SAY
“I’m looking forward to it a lot. NFL lineup. NFL stadium. It’s something I grew up watching. So my eyes are probably going to be like that when I get there.” – Maxwell, using his thumb and index finger to create form a large circle around his eye when asked about making is NFL debut on Thursday night
Camp Carroll: Day 12
A recap of the afternoon practice at Seahawks’ training camp on Monday:
FOCUS ON
Malcolm Smith. Some people are just never happy. Like the rookie linebacker from USC. Today, that was a good thing. Because as good as the seventh-round draft choice in getting his hands on three passes, Smith thought he should have been better.
“I didn’t get to take as much advantage of the situation as I could have,” Smith said after the 2 hour, 20 minute practice in full pads. “I should have had a couple of interceptions.”
Exhibit A came during a two-minute drill, when Smith came oh-so-close to picking off a pass from rookie QB Josh Portis. Later, Smith stepped in to break up a Charlie Whitehurst pass that was intended for tight end Zach Miller. Smith then made it a hat-trick by breaking up another Whitehurst pass on third down.
“The defense puts you in position to make plays, so you’ve got to make the most of those opportunities,” Smith said.
The rookies should get even more chances to make plays on Thursday night, when the Seahawks open their preseason in a nationally televised game against the Chargers in San Diego. Smith is from Northridge, Calif., and is expecting to have 20 family members at the game.
“If I get a shot to make something happen, I’ll definitely be upset if I don’t make the most of it,” he said.
POSITION WATCH
Punt returning defensive tackle. That can only be Alan Branch, the new starter at the three-technique spot after signing with the Seahawks in free agency. Really. Branch not only returned punts Cibola High School in Rio Rancho, N.M., he ran three back for touchdowns – at 6 feet 6, 315 pounds.
“I was the only one that could catch the ball,” Branch said. “So we just wanted possession there.”
Instead, they got points.
PLAYS OF THE DAY
Offense: Rookie wide receiver Ricardo Lockette taking a pass from Portis along the left sideline and then making like the sprint champion he used to be to race back to his right and score a TD.
Defense: Veteran linebacker Matt McCoy wrapping up and the dropping rookie running back Chase Reynolds after a short gain.
ON THE MEND
Seven players who are coming off surgeries or have minor injuries sat out: defensive linemen Red Bryant and Kentwan Balmer, linebacker Aaron Curry, cornerback Walter Thurmond, wide receiver Kris Durham, running back Thomas Clayton and offensive lineman Caz Piurowski.
With Curry out, rookie Mike Morgan and McCoy got some work at weak-side linebacker with the No. 1 defense.
Wide receiver Deon Butler, tight end Cameron Morrah, cornerback Roy Lewis and defensive tackle Colin Cole have yet to practice in camp.
UP NEXT
The players will have a 3 p.m. practice – their final full session before Thursday night’s preseason opener.
YOU DON’T SAY
“Pete Carroll and my coaches are always crack on me about that when they see when they see me in the facility. They’re like, ‘How many schools (did you go to)?’ It’s been a journey for me. It’s not a regular three-year, four-year college career.” – Portis, who attended Florida and Maryland before settling in at Division II California University in Pennsylvania
Camp Carroll: Day 4
A recap of the only session at Seahawks’ training camp on Sunday:
FOCUS ON
Leon Washington. A year ago, he was coming off surgery to repair a severely broken leg and “just surviving,” as coach Pete Carroll put it.
This afternoon, Washington was thriving while making plays by flashing his quickness and speed during the first padded practice of camp. His best effort came on a run where Washington made a nice read to get through the line and then exploded up the left sideline for a long gain. As Washington returned to the huddle, he gave a fist-bump to each of the offensive linemen – tackles Will Robinson and Breno Giacomini, guards Lemuel Jeanpierre and Paul Fanaika and center Mike Gibson – and Carroll then came over to slap hands with Washington.
“It’s not even the same guy,” Carroll said. “Last year at this time, he was limping around and we were cringing as he was running with the football. He is in full flow, full speed. He really is excited about it, as we are.”
But this wasn’t a one-run-and-done day for Washington. He also got behind linebacker Aaron Curry to catch a pass along the sideline from Charlie Whitehurst, showed quickness into and speed coming out of the hole on a couple more running plays and also added two more receptions.
“I’m a gifted athlete. I’m a blessed athlete,” Washington said. “So I just try to use my talents, and whatever I can do to help this team I’m trying to take advantage of it.
“I worked my tail off this offseason to get in better shape. Obviously, coming off the injury last year, I as a little slow at the start. So just having the opportunity to play football, I’m enjoying every bit of it.”
ROOKIE WATCH
Malcolm Smith. The seventh-round draft choice from USC is getting an opportunity to work at weak-side linebacker with the No. 1 defense because David Hawthorne has moved into the middle to replace Lofa Tatupu, who was released today.
Carroll said the first option for replacing Hawthorne on the weak-side will be veteran Leroy Hill, but he just re-signed with the club Friday and won’t be able to start practicing until Thursday. And Smith isn’t letting his chance slip away.
“Malcolm is making the most of this,” Carroll said. “Malcolm has the benefit – as does (linebacker) Mike Morgan, who’s come with us, too – of knowing our system and the principles and terminology and knowing (LB coach) Ken Norton. All of that has shown up, in that it’s expedited their ability to look good out here.
“Both those guys are really fast kids, and athletic. So initially they’ve made very good impressions in taking advantage of the connections that they have from the past with us at SC.”
UNIT WATCH
Offensive line. John Moffitt, this year’s third-round draft choice, has moved into the starting unit at right guard, where he is expected to start.
The leaves the No. 1 line with – from left tackle to right – Russell Okung, Paul McQuistan, Max Unger, Moffitt and James Carpenter, this year’s first-round draft pick.
McQuistan has stepped in for Gibson, who is now working at center with the No. 2 line. But the left guard spot will be filled by free-agent addition Robert Gallery, the ex-Raider, when he is allowed to start practicing on Thursday.
PLAYS OF THE DAY
Offense: Rookie free-agent wide receiver Ricardo Lockette getting behind the defense to make an over-the-shoulder grab of a deep pass from rookie QB Josh Portis. The play drew the largest ovation from the 1,270 fans who attended practice.
Defense: This a full-unit honor for the No. 1 defense, and especially cornerbacks Marcus Trufant and Brandon Browner and safeties Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor, as QB Charlie Whitehurst was forced to scramble from the pocket on three of the first five plays during a team period because none of his receivers were open.
Special teams: Wes Byrum hitting a 47-yard field goal. The rookie free agent made four of his five attempts, missing wide left from 43 yards.
ON THE MEND
Wide receiver Mike Williams (muscle strain) and cornerback Walter Thurmond (sprained ankle) did not practice, but Carroll said the injuries are not serious and their inactivity was more a precautionary move.
With Williams out, Golden Tate worked opposite Ben Obomanu with the No. 1 offense. Browner and Kennard Cox have been subbing for Thurmond, who also sat out the walk-thru Saturday afternoon.
Still sidelined while recovering from surgical procedures: wide receiver Deon Butler (leg), tight end Cameron Morrah (toe), defensive tackle Colin Cole (ankle) and cornerback Roy Lewis (knee).
UP NEXT
The players will practice at 9 a.m. Monday and then have a walk-thru at 4 p.m. The morning practice is open to the public and you can register to attend here.
YOU DON’T SAY
“I’ve known Lofa since he was a young kid, when Mosi (Tatupu, his father) brought him to SC years and years ago. And I’ve loved him ever since. He’s a great kid and a great guy and an unbelievable competitor.” – Carroll on Tatupu
Camp Carroll: Day 1 (a.m. edition)
A recap of the morning walk-thru at Seahawks training camp:
FOCUS ON
Charlie Whitehurst. Last year, the former backup quarterback for the San Diego Chargers was brought in to compete with Matt Hasselbeck for the starting job. This morning, with Hasselbeck set to join the Tennessee Titans in free agency, Whitehurst was the No. 1 QB as 69 players went through an extended walk-thru session at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
“It’s an opportunity, obviously,” Whitehurst said. “It’s one that I’m going to attack and give it everything I’ve got. I want to be the starting quarterback here.”
With former Vikings QB Tarvaris Jackson reportedly agreeing to sign with the Seahawks in free agency, Whitehurst eventually will be challenged for the starting job by a passer who played the past five seasons for new offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell in Minnesota.
“I know there’s going to be competition,” Whitehurst said. “But I’m confident I can make it happen and lead this team to a heckuva season.”
What a difference four days can make. Monday, the lockout was still on and Hasselbeck remained in the picture. Today, the only other quarterbacks on the field were a couple of rookie free agents – Josh Portis, who ran the No. 2 offense; and Zac Lee, who was in charge of the No. 3 unit.
“It’s amazing how fast it’s happened, for sure,” Whitehurst said. “I was expecting anything to happen at this position. Obviously Matt’s not here anymore. Now we’re out here on the practice field throwing the ball around.
“Didn’t really know what to expect, but was open for anything.”
ROOKIE WATCH
Six of the team’s nine draft choices were signed in time to participate in the 105-minute session – wide receiver Kris Durham (fourth round), cornerback Richard Sherman and safety Mark LeGree (fifth round), cornerback Bryon Maxwell (sixth round) and linebacker Malcolm Smith and defensive lineman Pep Levingston (seventh round).
Sherman, LeGree, Levingston and Smith were working with the No. 2 defense, with Maxwell and Durham on the third units.
Offensive linemen James Carpenter and John Moffitt and linebacker K.J. Wright, the team’s top three picks, remain unsigned.
POSITION WATCH
Offensive line. With Carpenter and Moffitt absent, the offense was without what is expected to be the starting right side of the line.
So the No. 1 line consisted of – from left tackle to right – Russell Okung, a first-round draft choice last year; Mike Gibson, who started eight games last season; Max Unger, a second-round pick in 2009 who missed most of last season; Paul Fanaika, for Moffitt; and Breno Giacomini, for Carpenter.
On the No. 2 unit: Will Robinson, Paul McQuistan, Lemuel Jeanpierre, Zach Hurd and Caz Piurowski.
PLAY OF THE DAY
Mike Williams, who led the team in receptions last season, going up and over cornerback Marcus Trufant and free safety Earl Thomas to grab a Whitehurst pass along the sideline.
ON THE MEND
Defensive tackle Colin Cole (ankle), cornerback Roy Lewis (knee), tight end Cameron Morrah (toe) and wide receiver Deon Butler (leg) did not participate while continuing their recovery from injuries sustained last season.
UP NEXT
The players have another walk-thru this afternoon and will practice for the first time on Friday morning. The first practices open to fans are on Saturday, at 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
YOU DON’T SAY
“It feels great being back here with your teammates, your coaches. It’s kind of like we never left, even though we’ve been gone for a while. But this is what we’re all kind of born to do and it feels great to be back.” – Whitehurst.
Cyber surfing: Tuesday
Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, June 28:
Eric Williams at the News Tribune begins a series on the Seahawks draft choices with a look at Malcolm Smith, the linebacker from USC and last of the team’s picks in April’s draft. Says Williams: “Smith, who turns 22 on July 5, is a ridiculous athlete. He ran a 4.46 40-yard dash at USC’s pro day, posted a vertical jump of 39 inches, leaped 10.5 feet in the broad jump and bench pressed 225 pounds 28 times. And oh, by the way – he can play, too.”
Sammy Batten of the American Chronicle (via Mike Sando’s blog at ESPN.com) checks in with Sean Locklear, the soon-to-be unrestricted free agent who has started at tackle for the Seahawks since the 2005 season. Locklear on his uncertain future: “Anywhere I go, whether that’s Seattle or somewhere else, I hope to go to a team that wants to win. I love Seattle. I’ve been there my whole career. It’s the only team I know. I want to be there. But that decision is not up to me now. It’s up to the guys in the front office, or another team. Where ever I go, I’m hoping to help them win.”
Pete Prisco at CBSSports.com provides his Top 50 unrestricted free agents – once free agency finally begins. Only one Seahawk makes the list: defensive tackle Brandon Mebane, at No. 8. Says Prisco: “At 26, he has been a good starter for the Seahawks the past four seasons. He is a perfect 4-3 defensive tackle. Seattle would love to have him back.”
For the give-us-this-day-our-daily-labor-update item, we offer an ESPN.com chat with the National Football Post’s Andrew Brandt, ESPN’s business analyst who has worked both sides of the fence – in management and as a player representative. The most-obvious Q: When will the lockout end? Brandt’s A: “In terms of an agreed upon CBA, I’ve tried to not speculate on a date. In terms of how quickly things can move after that, my sense is that there would be a term sheet that would define the deal points. There would not be a full blown CBA drafted for months. However, assuming that the lawsuit Brady v. NFL is dismissed or settled and Judge Nelson signs off on that settlement and allows any discontented players to voice their concern, things could move expediently after that.”
Also, NFL.com’s Albert Breer looks at where the negotiations are after last week’s talks and those scheduled for this week, with an eye on the Rams and Bears scheduled to open training camps three weeks from Friday to prepare for the Hall of Fame game that is the preseason opener. Says Breer: “Some internal deadlines have July 15 as the date a deal needs to be done to save the preseason in its natural form. At any rate, the sides are working against time now.”
NFL.com also debates which receiver is the best of Y2K era. They offer Randy Moss and Andre Johnson. But for a Seahawks fan, it’s hard to not throw in the Cardinals’ Larry Fitzgerald into the discussion. Maybe because the Seahawks face him twice each season, but more so because the big receiver often comes up huge against the Seahawks.
Here at Seahawks.com, we continue our series of articles recapping the first 35 seasons in franchise history with a look at 1995. It was Dennis Erickson’s first as coach of his hometown NFL team, not to mention the first in a Seahawks uniform for rookie wide receiver/punt returner Joey Galloway.
Seeing is believing
You’ve heard and read all about the nine players the Seahawks selected in the NFL Draft – from first-round pick James Carpenter to Malcolm Smith, the 242nd pick overall. But seeing is believing. Check out some of the top YouTube videos (mostly fan made) from this year’s draft class.
First-round pick: James Carpenter, OT, Alabama
Did you know? His favorite meal is macaroni and cheese – his mother’s macaroni and cheese.
You don’t say: “I wouldn’t have drafted him if he was finesse. That’s not my style. I thought he was a very physical presence at Alabama in a tremendous league against a lot of very talented defensive ends in that league.” – line coach Tom Cable
