Thursday in Hawkville
A recap of the activities at Virginia Mason Athletic Center for Dec. 29:
FOCUS ON
The rush continues. How is it that the Seahawks have been able to run for 100-plus yards in six of their past seven games, while losing three starting linemen during this stretch?
The linemen point to Tom Cable, while the team’s first-year assistant head coach/offensive line coach points to his system – and his approach to those who make the blocks that have helped Marshawn Lynch rush for a league-high 855 yards in the past eight games.
Breno Giacomini (for right tackle James Carpenter), Paul McQuistan (first for right guard John Moffitt and now for left tackle Russell Okung) and Lemuel Jeanpierre (for Moffitt) have been able to step in with the running game missing nary a beat because they’ve been treated like starters since training camp opened in late July.
“It’s the teaching, the coaching,” Giacomini said when asked the key to unlocking the continued success in the running game. “Every guy in the room prepares like they’re the starter, especially seeing all this change.”
Giacomini said his “moment” with Cable came during the second week of the season, when the Seahawks were not running the ball well but Cable stuck to his plan.
“That’s when I was like, ‘OK, I’m really going to listen to everything this guy says – every sentence; every “i” he dots and every “t” he crosses,” Giacomini said. “It’s been gradual, but you could see it pretty quick.”
It’s just the way Cable always has coached the position, and always will. And that starts with always treating all the linemen the same.
“I never have liked, or understood, how you can make this guy ‘all that,’ or this guy ‘all that,’ ” Cable said. “It’s B.S. to me. They’re all just tough guys who work hard, and want to get a job, and play professional football. So I think they ought to be treated that way.
“In our room, there’s no one bigger or greater than anyone else.”
With the possible exception of Cable, who has proved to be one the Seahawks’ best “gets” in a year where they’ve made 231 transactions.
ON THE FIELD
The players practiced for 105 minutes in the indoor practice facility as they continued to prepare for Sunday’s season finale against the Cardinals in Arizona. Linebacker Leroy Hill, rookie cornerback Byron Maxwell, practice-squad corner Coye Francies and cornerback Brandon Browner came up with interceptions on the final Turnover Thursday of the season. Browner made his in the end zone, while Maxwell’s came off a ball that was tipped by defensive end Chris Clemons.
IN ’N OUT
Leading tackler David Hawthorne and starting split end Ben Obomanu sat out practice for the second day, and were joined this afternoon by Giacomini and defensive tackle Anthony Hargrove.
With Giacomini out, Allen Barbre and Jarriel King got work at right tackle with the No. 1 line. K.J. Wright and Heath Farwell continued to replace Hawthorne at middle linebacker.
Obomanu ran sprints as well as routes on the side under the supervision of assistant trainer Donald Rich.
Here’s the official injury report:
Did not practice
MLB David Hawthorne (knee)
WR Ben Obomanu (knee)
OT Breno Giacomini (abdominal)
DT Anthony Hargrove (calf)
Full participation
CB Kennard Cox (hamstring)
QB Tarvaris Jackson (pectoral)
DT Clinton McDonald (concussion)
LB Malcolm Smith (concussion)
For the Cardinals:
Did not practice
OT Brandon Keith (ankle)
CB Patrick Peterson (Achilles)
Limited participation
S Rashad Johnson (knee)
QB Kevin Kolb (head)
RB LaRod Stephens-Howling (hamstring)
RB Chris Wells (knee)
S Kerry Rhodes (ankle)
Full participation
CB Michael Adams (shoulder)
S Sean Considine (foot)
Rhodes got some work today after being sidelined on Wednesday, and it’s looking like John Skelton will get the nod over Kolb because the Cardinals’ starting QB continues to be bothered by concussion-like symptoms.
STAT DU JOUR
The Seahawks’ defense heads into Sunday’s season finale with a chance to do something only five other defenses in franchise history have accomplished: Finish in the Top 10 in the league in average yards allowed. If they pull it off, it will be the first time since 1997 it has happened. The Seahawks currently rank No. 9, allowing an average of 328.5 yards – only 2 yards fewer than the 10th-ranked Browns and 6.6 fewer than the 11th-ranked Chargers. The Cardinals are averaging 354.2 yards, so …
Here’s a look at how this year’s unit stacks up against the other Seahawk defenses that ranked in the Top 10:
Year Rank; average yards allowed
1984 No. 6; 310.2
1990 No. 9; 288.1
1991 No. 8; 293.9
1992 No. 10; 286.4
1997 No. 8; 303.1
2011 No. 9; 328.5
UP NEXT
The final Friday of the regular season. The players will have a walk-through, practice and meetings in their final full day of preparation for Sunday’s season finale.
YOU DON’T SAY
“ ‘Lock’ came a long way. He was kind of a deer in headlights when he first got here; just running real fast. Like Forrest Gump, just running. Just running. He’s gotten better throughout the season. He’s come out here and worked real hard every day. You see every day; he’s making a great catch or outrunning somebody. That shows his ability. But he’s building on it and working on the mental aspects of it. He’s come a long way since Day One of training camp. He’s got a long ways to go. But he can definitely do it.” – QB Tarvaris Jackson on rookie free agent wide receiver Ricardo Lockette
Photoblog: A Close One on Christmas Eve
The Seahawks hoped to continue their five-game winning streak with a Christmas Eve game against the San Francisco 49ers at CenturyLink Field. Santa hats were everywhere, but the 49ers played the part of the Grinch and escaped with a hard-fought 19-17 victory, essentially eliminating the Seahawks from playoff contention.
Seahawks fans were both in the Christmas spirit and the Skittles spirit as they hoped for a big day from Skittles-loving running back Marshawn Lynch.
In the locker room, Lynch prepared a new pair of Skittles-themed Nike shoes for the game.
Seahawks receiver Golden Tate is introduced to a raucous crowd at CenturyLink Field.
Rookie wide receiver Ricardo Lockette was active for the first time in his young career, and wasted no time making his mark by hauling in a deep ball from Tarvaris Jackson.
San Francisco defensive back Carlos Rogers didn't make it easy, fighting for the ball as Lockette landed with a 44-yard reception on the second play from scrimmage.
Receiver Doug Baldwin celebrates after scoring on a 13-yard touchdown reception from Tarvaris Jackson, giving the Seahawks an early 7-0 lead.
Richard Sherman kept San Francisco's Michael Crabtree from making a catch on a deep ball in the first quarter.
Doug Baldwin flies towards the first down marker after a reception from Tarvaris Jackson.
Shoes were a hot topic but not these cleats as Marshawn Lynch (right) tried to stretch the ball over the goal line just before halftime. After an official's review, the ball was placed at the one-yard line.
Seattle's defense, including Chris Clemons, chased San Francisco quarterback Alex Smith all afternoon, but Smith's ability to buy time kept many 49ers drives alive.
Linebacker K.J. Wright tackles 49ers running back Frank Gore from behind for one of his four tackles.
Seattle's special teams came up big when Heath Farwell blocked a punt by San Francisco's Andy Lee in the fourth quarter.
Marshawn Lynch made sure the Seahawks capitalized on the turnover as he raced into the end zone from four yards out to give the Seahawks a 17-16 lead.
Lynch celebrated with Ricardo Lockette as Skittles rained down into the end zone after the touchdown.
Members of the Seahawks grounds crew used blowers in an effort to remove the Skittles from the field.
After a San Francisco field goal gave them the lead at 19-17, Seattle tried to rally but a fumble by Tarvaris Jackson ended hopes.
Doug Baldwin sat alone on the bench in the waning minutes.
Earl Thomas walks dejectedly towards the Seahawks locker room after the game.
Seattle's locker room was somber after the defeat, but head coach Pete Carroll reminded them how far they'd come this season and that they still had the opportunity to finish strong next week in Arizona.
Cyber surfing: Thursday
Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, Dec. 15:
Jerry Brewer at the Seattle Times offers some advice as the suddenly surging Seahawks enter their final three games, starting with Sunday’s matchup against the Bears in Chicago: “You can still hear the noise if you listen closely. It’s a muffled protest now, not the passionate shout that it used to be. That’s because the outdated idea — tank games, draft high — isn’t just counterintuitive for Seahawks fans anymore. Now that the Seahawks have won four of five games and made something of this season, it’s also counterproductive. Why oppose winning now just to see if a lose-to-win experiment could spur success after prolonged heartache, disappointment and humiliation?”
Also at the Times, Danny O’Neil looks at how the Seahawks’ run-oriented offensive attack is bucking the trend in the pass-happy NFL: “The Seahawks aren’t swimming upstream against the NFL’s prevailing current. They’re running into it. Repeatedly. The Seahawks have spent the better part of the last six games handing the ball to running back Marshawn Lynch and running headlong against the trend that the NFL is becoming a passing league.”
Dave Boling at the News Tribune evokes the P-word – and it’s not Pete, as the Seahawks coach isn’t the one talking playoffs: “Pete Carroll is not about to discourage his team – or anybody else, for that matter – if they want to get excited about a long-shot possibility. Even if that includes a mid-December mention of slender postseason odds. ‘It’s natural to have the conversation as long as the focus is here to do the work every day,’ the coach of the Seahawks said Wednesday. ‘They can talk like that. If they get out of whack with it, I’ll (tell) them it isn’t what we can control. We can only do something this week. It’s a long ways away still.’ ”
Also at the New Tribune, Eric Williams looks at the Bears’ offense that is missing running back Matt Forte and QB Jay Cutler as it prepares for the Seahawks’ defense: “The NFL’s Mad Scientist, Chicago offensive coordinator Mike Martz, has had to reel in his aggressive nature of late with the absence of quarterback Jay Cutler, who’s out for at least the last three games of the regular season with a broken right thumb on his throwing hand. Instead, the Bears have leaned on an improved ground game with backup quarterback Caleb Hanie leading the offense. Still, that offense has failed to muster enough yardage to close out games, losing three straight. Playing behind a makeshift offensive line and without his top offensive weapon – running back Matt Forte, unavailable because of an MCL sprain – Hanie has predictably struggled.”
John Boyle at the Everett Herald looks at how the once “soft” Seahawks are making things hard on opposing defenses with their running game: “Through seven games, Seattle ranked second to last in the league in rushing, and with the run game struggling, had fluctuated back and forth between running a no-huddle offense. Prior to that game in Dallas, (Tom) Cable, Carroll and the rest of the offensive coaches got together and a made a decision — no matter how it turned out, the Seahawks were going to run the ball. They were going to have an identity as a physical, run-oriented offense.”
Tim Booth at the Associated Press, via PI.com, stays with that theme: “The stretch of success has thrust Marshawn Lynch into the spotlight. Lynch leads the league in rushing over the past six weeks with 706 yards and five games of at least 100 yards, including 115 in Monday night’s win over St. Louis.”
Mike Sando at ESPN.com has his weekly look at injury situations that matter in the NFC West, including this rundown on the Seahawks: “Linebacker Leroy Hill practiced fully Wednesday despite a neck injury, a good sign for Seattle given the team’s depth issues at the position. Linebacker David Hawthorne rested his injured knee, no surprise. He’s playing with an MCL injury that needs monitoring. Receiver Doug Baldwin (ankle), left guard Robert Gallery (hip) and defensive end Raheem Brock (calf) did not practice. They were expected to play Sunday against the Bears. Quarterback Tarvaris Jackson remained a full participant in practice despite his pectoral injury. Jackson seems to be getting stronger.”
Sando also looks at the latest totals from fan balloting for the Pro Bowl, with punter Jon Ryan and safety Kam Chancellor sitting third at their respective positions.
Here at Seahawks.com, we check in with the newest member of the 53-man roster, rookie wide receiver Ricardo Lockette: “As Ricardo Lockette sat in the dentist chair on Tuesday, he broke into tears. An exposed nerve during a root canal? No just a call from Seahawks general manager John Schneider informing the rookie wide receiver that he was being elevated from the practice squad to the 53-man roster. ‘He was like, ‘Congratulations, we’re moving you up,’ Lockette said Wednesday. ‘Tears immediately started to flow, because it’s been such a tough road for me. Once I got that news, man …’ Lockette paused before adding, ‘I can’t explain it. Best day of my life.’ ”
There’s also a look back at Monday night’s victory over the Rams in Ben Malcolmson’s “From the Sidelines,” as well as recaps of Wednesday in “Wednesday in Hawkville” and Tony Ventrella’s video review.
Wednesday in Hawkville
A recap of the activities at Virginia Mason Athletic Center for Dec. 14:
FOCUS ON
A banner day. The indoor practice facility at VMAC got a touch of CenturyLink Field as banners from the Seahawks’ division and conference championship seasons are now hanging from the rafters on the north wall.
The players consider it a nice touch, as well as a motivational move – especially those who have been a part of more than last season’s NFC West title team. Linebacker Leroy Hill also was around for the division and conference champion in 2005, we well as the NFC West titles in 2006 and 2007.
“They’re cool, man,” Hill said. “I’ve been a part of three straight – ’05, ’06, ’07. I like the concept. It’s something you can look at while you’re practicing and it’s sort of like a motivation.”
The other banners are from the AFC West division titles in 1988 and 1999 and the NFC West title in 2004.
“They just make it look better,” Hill said. “They fill up some of that empty space.”
ON THE FIELD
The players practiced outside in 40-degree weather to get ready for Sunday’s game against the Bears in Chicago, where the forecast is calling for a high of 45 degrees. They worked without pads or helmets for 85 minutes.
Center Max Unger and right tackle Breno Giacomini were the only ones in shorts as well as without long sleeves.
PLAYER WATCH
Doug Baldwin. Five minutes of firsts in Monday night’s victory over the Rams have earned the rookie his first NFC Special Teams Player of the Week honor.
Baldwin returned the opening kickoff, his first in a regular season game, for 37 yards on a reverse. He then downed his first punt in the NFL by catching Jon Ryan’s 34-yarder at the Rams’ 6-yard line. Baldwin then blocked his first NFL punt, on the ensuing series, which Michael Robinson returned 17 yards for the Seahawks’ first TD.
All in the first five minutes of the game.
Baldwin took his big night on national TV the way he has everything else he’s accomplished this season, which includes leading the team in receptions (45) and receiving yards (718): In stride.
“The plays that were given to me, the opportunities I was given, I expect to take full advantage of,” Baldwin said.
Baldwin is the third Seahawk to be honored in the past four games. Middle linebacker David Hawthorne (last week) and defensive end Chris Clemons (Week 11) were selected Defensive Player of the Week. The last Seahawk to win the special teams category was Ryan in Week 17 last season – also against the Rams. Kickoff returner Leon Washington (Week 3) and former kicker Olindo Mare (Week 7) also were honored last season.
OPPONENT WATCH
Brian Urlacher. The Bears’ middle linebacker is 33 and in his 12th NFL season, but the native of Pasco continues to play at the highest level.
“He’s unusual,” Bears coach Lovie Smith said today. “Most people don’t have the talent that Brian has. He’s just one of those guys – a gifted athlete that comes around every once in a while. So you start with that. He takes great care of himself in the offseason and during the season. He’s a student of the game.
“Around here, everyone has a history and everyone knows Brian’s history as a football player. He’s a special guy to have on the team. He’s done so much for us.”
Urlacher’s resume includes being selected NFL Defensive Player of the Year (2005), NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year (2000), as well as voted to seven Pro Bowls. He also is the Bears’ all-time leading tackler (1,556).
IN ’N OUT
Hawthorne and left guard Robert Gallery sat out practice. Rookie K.J. Wright moved inside to replace Hawthorne, with rookie Mike Morgan stepping in on the strong side for Wright. Allen Barbre and Jarriel King split time at left guard for Gallery.
Defensive end Raheem Brock and Baldwin also did not practice.
Here’s the official injury report:
Did not practice
WR Doug Baldwin (ankle)
DE Raheem Brock (calf)
OG Robert Gallery (hip)
MLB David Hawthorne (knee)
Full participation
CB Kennard Cox (hamstring)
LB Leroy Hill (neck)
QB Tarvaris Jackson (pectoral)
OT Jarriel King (hamstring)
For the Bears:
Did not practice
LB Lance Briggs (not injury related)
QB Jay Cutler (right thumb)
RB Matt Forte (knee)
DT Henry Melton (shin)
CB Charles Tillman (knee)
Limited participation
OG Edwin Williams (calf)
S Major Wright (shoulder)
The Seahawks also filled the opening on their 53-man roster by signing rookie wide receiver Ricardo Lockette from the practice squad. Defensive back Coy Fancies was signed to the practice squad.
STAT DU JOUR
It’s not so much that Devin Hester returns punts for touchdowns, it’s how often the Bears’ return specialist has done it (12), how long they’ve been (eight of 70-plus yards) and how many teams he has done it against (nine). He started in 2006 as rookie and still is at it this season, his sixth in the league. Here’s a look at his NFL-record dozen scoring returns on punts:
Date (opponent) Length
Sept. 10, 2006 (Packers) 84
Oct. 16, 2006 (Cardinals) 83
Dec. 3, 2006 (Vikings) 45
Sept. 16, 2007 (Chiefs) 73
Oct. 17, 2007 (Vikings) 89
Nov. 25, 2007 (Broncos) 75
Dec. 30, 2007 (Saints) 64
Sept. 27, 2010 (Packers) 62
Oct. 17, 2010 (Seahawks) 89
Dec. 20, 2010 (Vikings) 64
Oct. 2, 2011 (Panthers) 73
Nov. 13, 2011 (Lions) 82
CLARIFICATION
The touchdown Robinson scored on Baldwin’s blocked punt was not the first of his six-season NFL career, just the first of his two seasons with the Seahawks. Robinson scored two touchdowns in 2006, during his rookie season with the San Francisco 49ers.
Both came on 1-yard runs, and in the same game – Week 3 against the Philadelphia Eagles. So Robinson went four full seasons and large parts of two others, not to mention 89 games, between trips to the end zone.
UP NEXT
The players will practice an hour earlier on Thursday, and then hold a Friday morning workout before the team flies to Chicago for Sunday’s game.
YOU DON’T SAY
“I don’t know if there’s anything worse than a bear with a bad tooth.” – coach Pete Carroll on facing a Chicago team that has lost its past three games
Lockette added to 53-man roster
Ricardo Lockette’s wait ended today when the rookie wide receiver was signed off the practice squad to the 53-man roster.
Lockette fills the spot that opened Tuesday when cornerback Ron Parker was placed on injured reserve.
Asked what Lockette’s role would be, coach Pete Carroll smiled and offered, “Fast guy.”
That’s because Lockette won the Division II National Championship in the 200 meters in 2008 while at Fort Valley State.
As for the pecking order at wide receiver, where the team already has Doug Baldwin, Mike Williams, Golden Tate, Ben Obomanu and Deon Butler, Carroll added, “Right now, Ricardo is the next guy up.”
Cyber surfing: Friday
Good morning. Here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, Sept. 2:
Danny O’Neil of the Seattle Times takes a look at the bubble players as the Seahawks prepare to play their preseason finale tonight against the Raiders at CenturyLink Field and then cut their 80-man roster to 53 players on Saturday. Offers O’Neil: “Safety Jeron Johnson packed for an entire season. Receiver Doug Baldwin brought enough clothes for about three days. Johnson has at least 20 pairs of sneakers in his hotel room. Baldwin has all of one jacket. While they packed differently, the two undrafted rookies share an objective: earning one of the 53 roster spots available when the Seahawks’ season opens. Friday’s exhibition game against Oakland at 7:30 p.m. is their chance to make a closing statement.”
Eric Williams at the New Tribune checks in with second-year wide receiver Golden Tate, who has been outplayed by Baldwin in the preseason. Says Williams: “Tate, a second-year receiver out of Notre Dame, certainly has had his share of struggles during exhibition play, including a pair of costly drops – one that turned into an interception return for a touchdown against Minnesota. But coach Pete Carroll lauded Tate before training camp started as one of the players he had high expectations for this season, and he doesn’t appear ready to give up on the team’s second-round pick from last year. Carroll expects Tate to play a lot in the league’s final exhibition game tonight against Oakland.”
Dave Boling at the News Tribune has a blog item asking about the Seahawks’ best catch ever, and prompted by the one rookie free agent Ricardo Lockette made in practice on Wednesday. Says Boling: “Ricardo Lockette may not even make this team or ever play in an NFL game. He has some amazing physical talents, though. But for one afternoon, the guy made some jaws drop with the best catch I’ve ever seen.”
Christian Caple at PI.com offers five things to watch in tonight’s game, including right tackle – where first-round draft choice James Carpenter and Breno Giacomini have been splitting time practice this week and likely will share the duties tonight. Says Caple: “James Carpenter has nothing to worry about when it comes to making the team. That’s obvious. But what the rookie right tackle still must prove is that he belongs in the starting lineup, as well. Carpenter, the team’s first-round draft pick this year, was dubbed the starting right tackle the day he was selected. But poor play against Denver last week and some struggles in practice have led to some questions about whether he’s ready to battle first-team defenses in the NFL just yet. That’s why Breno Giacomini has been splitting reps with the first-team offense at right tackle.”
Mike Sando at ESPN.com has five things to know about the Seahawks, including this one: “4. Leroy Hill lives: A year or two ago, it would have been unthinkable to hold up Hill as the Seattle linebacker whose future with the team appeared brighter than the futures of (Lofa) Tatupu or Aaron Curry. Tatupu had been to three Pro Bowls. Curry was the fourth player chosen in the 2009 draft. Hill was coming off a serious injury and multiple off-field incidents. Tatupu is gone. A restructuring for Curry chopped off two years from his rookie deal and made 2011 quite possibly his final one with the team. Hill, meanwhile, has recaptured the aggressive, borderline violent form that made him a potential rising star a few years ago.”
Pat Kirwan at NFL.com takes a look at the NFC West, including the tough schedule awaiting each of the four teams: “All four teams have to face the NFC East and the AFC North. Of the eight teams in those two stacked divisions, the only one that had a losing record in non-conference games last season was the Bengals. Every NFC West team will now face the Steelers, Ravens, Eagles and Giants, who had a combined record of 44-20 last year.”
Here at Seahawks.com, we look at the rookie free agent class that had GM John Schneider excited from the day the team signed them and those left who continue to impress coach Pete Carroll. Says Carroll: “It has been a really good group of guys. We’ve been excited about the quarterback, for sure, in Josh; and Baldwin’s had a great camp; Ricardo Lockette’s done stuff consistently for us; Mike Morgan has played well for us on the defensive side. There have been a number of guys. It’s really added to the draft class and made it a very competitive group. And it’s been exciting from the beginning.”
There’s a look at Thursday’s practice in words and video, as well, and Tony Ventrella also has his video preview of tonight’s game.
Wednesday in Hawkville
A recap of the day’s activities at Virginia Mason Athletic Center:
FOCUS ON
John Carlson. Tuesday, it was announced that the team’s incumbent starter at tight end would need season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum. Today, Carlson talked about the injury and the decision to have surgery.
“The decision was kind of made by my shoulder,” Carlson said.
Talk about body language. But that was the case. Initially, Carlson was going to rehab the shoulder and try to play with it.
“It kind of resolved itself by not coming along as far as we wanted it to,” he said. “That’s where my shoulder is. I need to get it fixed and start the rehab process.”
Carlson injured the shoulder diving for a pass in practice on Aug. 13. He then aggravated it later in practice while blocking.
“I’m disappointed, obviously,” Carlson said. “I felt like I had a great offseason of training. Our offseasons are normally devoted to OTAs and minicamps, and those things are great for developing offenses. But the individual training sometimes is lacking and I felt like I had a great offseason in that respect.
“So it’s really disappointing to have to miss this year.”
ROOKIE WATCH
Kris Durham. The wide receiver, and fourth-round draft choice, has had back-to-back impressive practices. And right on cue, with the preseason finale on Friday night and the roster cut to 53 players on Saturday.
Tuesday, the 6-foot-6 Durham went up and over cornerback Kennard Cox along the sideline to catch a pass from Tarvaris Jackson; made a nice catch of a pass from Charlie Whitehurst despite being held by the defensive back; and adjusted his route on a roll out by Whitehurst to get open, and get a hand slap from coach Pete Carroll for the effort.
Today, Durham caught a half dozen balls, including one where he went over Cox to grab a TD pass from Whitehurst on the final play of the two-hour practice.
“I’m working back into it,” said Durham, who missed the preseason opener because of a sore hamstring but has six receptions in the past two games. “It’s a grind. Some of the guys got banged up, unfortunately, so we were a little shorthanded. But a lot of guys came in and stepped up – (Ricardo) Lockette, Doug (Baldwin), Golden (Tate).
“Everybody was just out there making plays.”
Including the one he didn’t mention: Durham.
“I’m just trying to compete and get better,” he said.
PLAYS OF THE DAY
Both involved Lockette, the ridiculously fast rookie free agent. On the first – the offensive play of the day – Lockette somehow made a reaching, one-handed grab of a pass from rookie QB Josh Portis in the end zone despite free safety Earl Thomas being all over him.
“Actually, I didn’t even see him coming,” Thomas said. “I’m looking at the ball and all of sudden he was just there. Boom. It was a great catch.”
When Portis went to Lockette again a few plays later, it produced the defensive play of the day as rookie cornerback Richard Sherman matched the speedy receiver step for step as he locked in on the ball. Sherman then went up in front of Lockette to intercept the pass.
IN AND OUT
Wide receivers Patrick Williams and Chris Carter, who were released Monday, were re-signed today. The club needed their hands because Sidney Rice (shoulder), Ben Obomanu (head) and Isaiah Stanback (hamstring) did not practice, Mike Williams (foot) was limited to individual drills and Deon Butler (leg) remains on the physically unable to perform list.
Each receiver celebrated his return with a nice catch. Williams turned and jumped in one smooth motion to catch a Portis pass along the sideline against cornerback Brandon Browner. Carter ran a nice route and made an even better catch of a pass from Jackson while running toward the opposite sideline, an effort that earned a hand slap from Carroll as Carter returned to the huddle.
Defensive ends Chris Clemons and Dexter Davis and Leroy Hill returned after sitting out Tuesday, while strong safety Kam Chancellor was limited.
But eight others sat out, including running back Marshawn Lynch (ankle) and middle linebacker David Hawthorne (knee). Leon Washington got the first reps with the No. 1 offense for Lynch, while rookie K.J. Wright continued to fill in for Hawthorne. Atari Bigby worked for Chancellor with the No. 1 defense.
Also out: safety Josh Pinkard (knee), defensive end Pierre Allen (hamstring) and Carlson, in addition to the other three players who are PUP – tight end Cameron Morrah (foot), defensive tackle Colin Cole (ankle) and cornerback Roy Lewis (knee).
RETURN REPLAY
Just how good was Baldwin’s 105-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in Saturday night’s game against the Broncos in Denver? We decided to ask Washington, who had scoring returns of 101, 99 and 92 last year in his first season with the Seahawks.
“Doug does a good job of practicing it, he hits it hard in practice,” Washington said. “So I wasn’t surprised in the game for him to finish the way he did. That was impressive.”
Washington saw the same thing that Baldwin mentioned after the game: Great blocking that allowed Baldwin to run untouched until he eluded one would-be tackle at the 20-yard line.
“We had a bounce set up, where he’s going to sell it to the middle of the field and then bounce it to the left,” Washington said. “The wedge did a good job, and Doug did a good job of selling it. Once he broke it to the left, there was nobody over there. So he did a good job.”
UP NEXT
The players have a morning practice on Thursday, their final full session before Friday night’s preseason finale against the Oakland Raiders at CenturyLink Field. They will then have Saturday and Sunday off.
The 80-man roster must be trimmed to 53 players on Saturday.
YOU DON’T SAY
“It’ll be fun to see those guys, I know them so well. So it will definitely be fun to go out there and play against my old team.” – tight end Zach Miller, who played the last four seasons for the Raiders
Tuesday in Hawkville
A recap of the day’s activities at Virginia Mason Athletic Center:
FOCUS ON
The offensive line, and especially rookie right tackle James Carpenter. This is no surprise after the Seahawks allowed QB Tarvaris Jackson to be sacked five times in Saturday night’s loss to the Broncos in Denver, and Carpenter yielded two of them.
During today’s full-pads practice, Breno Giacomini was rotating with Carpenter – with the first unit as well as the second.
“It’s a competition that we’re just continuing,” coach Pete Carroll said when asked about the situation. “ ‘Giac’ has done a nice job. He’s put together a really good preseason. He’s very solid. He hasn’t played against the same (level of competition as Carpenter) all the time, but he has had a very solid preseason.
“He’s a been around a little bit more. So we want to make sure that he has the opportunity to show and see if he can help. So we’ve decided to give him some opportunities with the first group.”
Carpenter has only been around since July 29, when the team’s first-round draft choice signed his contract. He would have benefited greatly from the offseason minicamps and OTA sessions that were erased by the 136-day lockout.
“Our guy has done a marvelous job in a bunch of areas now at right tackle,” Carroll said of Carpenter. “I’m fired up about him. But there’s still a lot to learn, and there’s a short time to learn it.
“His feet are in the fire, right from the first game in San Diego.”
Carpenter wasn’t the Seahawks’ only problem against the Broncos.
As line coach Tom Cable put it, pointing out that miscommunication was the culprit on three of the five sacks, “We don’t feel good about Saturday at all. Very disappointed. But we also can see what it is and have a chance to now go fix it and improve from here. And it will be like that for a little while, but not too much longer.”
PLAYS OF THE DAY
Offense: Rookie wide receiver Ricardo Lockette reaching out to snag a Josh Portis pass with one hand and then spinning around cornerback Brandon Browner in almost the same motion to head up the sideline.
Defense: Linebacker David Vobora starting to his right but then diving back to his left to tip a Portis pass incomplete.
JUST VISITING
Andre Gurode, the five-time Pro Bowl center released by the Dallas Cowboys this week, visited the Seahawks today. But it was just that, Carroll said.
“He’s kind of taking a tour right now and looking at some places,” Carroll said. “We were fortunate to get in on it and visit with him. He’s had a great career and it ended kind of abruptly for him. So he’s going to take a look around and see what’s out there.”
IN AND OUT
The big news, of course, was Carroll’s announcement that tight end John Carlson will need season-ending shoulder surgery to repair the labrum he tore while diving for a pass in practice 2½ weeks ago.
Thirteen other players also did not practice, including five starters – running back Marshawn Lynch (ankle), defensive end Chris Clemons (ankle), middle linebacker David Hawthorne (knee), outside linebacker Aaron Curry (knee) and strong safety Kam Chancellor (foot). Lynch and Hawthorne will not play against the Oakland Raiders in Friday night’s preseason finale at CenturyLink Field, Carroll said.
Justin Forsett and Leon Washington filled in for Lynch, while Raheem Brock worked at Clemons’ spot, K.J. Wright and David Vobora stepped in for Hawthorne and Curry and Atari Bigby replaced Chancellor.
Also out: wide receiver Isaiah Stanback (hamstring), defensive end Dexter Davis (hip), defensive lineman Pierre Allen (hamstring) and safety Josh Pinkard (knee), as well as the four players who remain on the physically unable to perform list – wide receiver Deon Butler (leg), tight end Cameron Morrah (toe), defensive tackle Colin Cole (ankle) and cornerback Roy Lewis (knee).
Wide receivers Sidney Rice (shoulder) and Ben Obomanu (head) started practice but did not finish.
Left tackle Russell Okung was limited to individual drills because of the ankle he sprained in the opener against the Chargers.
The club also completed the league-mandated roster trim to 80 players by releasing defensive Jay Alvord and safety Rickey Thenarse.
STAT DU JOUR
After making an unprecedented 284 transactions in their first year together, Carroll and general manager John Schneider have been making up for lost time following the lockout. From July 26 through today, they have made 95 roster moves – or an average of 2.6 per day.
UP NEXT
The players will practice Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning before playing their preseason finale on Friday night.
The 80-man roster must be reduced to 53 players on Saturday.
YOU DON’T SAY
“Obviously you never want to look like that. It was an embarrassment to all of us, especially as a group. But that’s life. And you’ve got to learn, and how everybody responds will be the key.” – left guard Robert Gallery, looking back at the performance against the Broncos with an eye to Friday night’s game against the Raiders
The envelope, please …
With the conclusion of training camp on Thusday, it’s time to pass out some honors — with input on the selections from coaches, scouts and players:
Best player: Sidney Rice. He got a late start, because free-agent additions were not allowed to begin practicing until Aug. 4. He also sat out last week’s preseason opener to rest a sore shoulder. But when the Pro Bowl wide receiver from the Vikings was on the field, the 6-foot-4 Rice displayed the traits that attracted the Seahawks – an off-the-charts catch radius; sure, soft hands; the kind of competitive work ethic that is the foundation for Pete Carroll’s program; an instant rapport with also just-acquired QB Tarvaris Jackson. As former Seahawks linebacker Dave Wyman said on 710 ESPN today, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen anyone have a better camp.”
Best offensive player: Marshawn Lynch. A year ago, Lynch was summering – and shimmering – in Buffalo with the Bills team that made him the 12th pick overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. After being acquired in trade during the Seahawks’ bye week, Lynch admits to “learning on the fly” last season. But in this camp, he’s simply been flying – in his own “Beast Mode” fashion – and leading by example. He did not miss a practice. He ran out every rep he got. He looks ready – and sounds determined – to help re-launch a running game that ranked 31st in the league last season.
Best defensive player: Earl Thomas. The second-year free safety has been even better than during his first season – which already was pretty good, as he intercepted five passes to tie the franchise record by a rookie. Thomas picked off a half dozen passes in practice in this camp and got his hands on even more balls. He appears poised to make another giant step toward becoming the consistent playmaking centerfielder that Carroll needs to play his style of defense.
Best special teams player: Jon Ryan. The veteran punter wins this one almost by default, but there’s also plenty of merit behind the pick. Ryan’s consistency has been his calling card since signing with the Seahawks a game into the 2008 season, and that remains the key to his 2011 season.
Best rookies: Richard Sherman and Doug Baldwin. We’ve split this into defensive (Sherman) and offensive (Baldwin) categories – and colored both Cardinal – because there are so many rookies on the 90-man roster, and so many who deserve recognition as they scramble to play catchup after the 136-day lockout erased the spring minicamps and OTA sessions. Sherman’s size (6-3) and playmaking ability have been apparent from his first practice, but then the cornerback from Stanford was a fifth-round draft choice. Baldwin, on the other hand, was part of the undrafted free-agent class. But you would never know it by how well – and consistently – the wide-out from Stanford has played. In the preseason opener, he not only caught a team-high four passes, Baldwin returned a kickoff for 41 yards and a punt for 20 yards.
Best free-agent addition: Brandon Browner. There’s a lot of competition here, since the club signed Rice, Jackson, left guard Robert Gallery, tight end Zach Miller and defensive tackles Alan Branch and Jimmy Wilkerson once the unrestricted free-agent period finally began. But the 6-4 Browner was added long before the lockout and free agency began – in January, and to a future contract. The Seahawks have been looking for a bigger cornerback, while Browner has been looking to get back into the league after playing the past four seasons in the CFL. This need-meets-desire matchup is working out very well. Honorable mention to Gallery, who has been just what the young O-line needs at the left guard spot.
Best unit: Tight ends. The Seahawks were solid here even before adding Miller, the Pro Bowler from the Raiders. Now, with the ability to use Miller and John Carlson in tandem, well, it provides versatility, productivity and even a dash of deception in the passing game and the running game. Anthony McCoy and Dominique Byrd, who played for Carroll at USC, provide depth and big-play capability. Then there’s Cameron Morrah, an incumbent backup who has yet to practice while recovering from offseason toe surgery.
Biggest surprises: Ricardo Lockette and Neal Howey. Again, there’s one on offense (Lockette) and one on defense (Howey). Lockette’s speed sets the rookie free agent apart from the other wide receivers – as well as the rest of the players in camp. He won the NCAA Division II 200-meter championship in 2008 and has run 40 yards in 4.27 seconds. Howey, a rookie linebacker from Eastern Michigan, has stood out because of all the “I see you, Neal” salutes he’s gotten from the older ’backers while making plays with the No. 3 defense. It will be surprising if Lockette and Howey don’t stick around, at least on the practice squad.
Most improved player: Leon Washington. Say what? The guy returned three kickoffs for touchdowns last year in his first season with the Seahawks. But we’re talking about Leon Washington the running back. Another year removed from the severely broken leg that ended his 2009 season while with the New York Jets, Washington is displaying his old explosive first step and sudden quickness while running the ball out of the backfield. As Carroll put it when asked about Washington the back, “It’s not even the same guy. Last year at this time, he was limping around we were cringing as he was running with the football. He is in full flow, full speed.” Now, the coaches just have to figure out how to best use Washington, while still getting Lynch and Justin Forsett the touches they need.
Best quote: “Somebody from the back of the room yelled, ‘That’s not separation; that’s a divorce.’ He was so wide open.” – quarterback Charlie Whitehurst on Baldwin
Camp Carroll: Day 18
A recap of the afternoon practice at Seahawks training camp on Sunday:
FOCUS ON
Pat Williams. When you’re a wide receiver on a team that already had Mike Williams, Golden Tate and Ben Obomanu and then added Sidney Rice, Kris Durham, Doug Baldwin and Ricardo Lockette, you know your reps in practice will be limited – and that you need to make the most of them.
That’s what Williams did today.
“Reps are limited,” he said after practice. “So when guys go down, you’ve got to be paying attention and know your assignments and step in and not miss a beat.”
Williams’ cache of catches included a nice grab of pass that cornerback Brandon Browner came oh-so-close to tipping incomplete; gathering in a long pass that QB Tarvaris Jackson dropped nicely over Browner; and a TD reception.
Williams, a 6-foot-1, 204-pounder from Colorado, was on the practice squad last season. Now there are other young receivers to challenge for that spot as well as the berths on the 53-man roster.
“That’s the business of it all,” Williams said. “You can’t really pay attention to that. You put your head down and you grind every day. That’s what I’ve been taught ever since I was little. Whatever happens happens.”
Today, good things happened when Williams got his reps.
POSITION WATCH
Slot receiver. Watching how new offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell is using Tate conjures visions of how Bevell used Percy Harvin as a slot receiver with the Minnesota Vikings last season.
Same position. Similar responsibilities. But dissimilar receivers.
“They’re two different type of athletes,” said Rice, who also was with the Vikings the past four seasons. “Percy is a bigger guy. Strong. Real fast. Golden is a quick guy. He likes to move around in there and he gets open.
“So it’s going to be some similar things that we’re going to see that we had with Percy as well.”
ROOKIE WATCH
Richard Sherman. The fifth-round draft choice continues to stand out, and not just because he’s 6-3.
On back-to-back plays, Sherman broke up Charlie Whitehurst passes that were intended for Tate. On the second, Sherman reached in to slap away the ball and then bumped and barked at Tate.
“He’s a big corner. Long arms. And he’s got one of the better quick jams that I’ve seen I’ve been in this league,” Rice said. “So if he gets an opportunity to get out there and get his hands on somebody it’s going to be exciting for our team.”
PLAYS OF THE DAY
Offense: Lockette using his sprinter speed to blow past cornerback Marcus Brown. The slightly underthrown pass then hit Brown in the helmet as he caught up, but Lockette controlled the carom for a TD.
Defense: Junior Siavii exploding through a gap and into the end zone for what would have been a sack of Jackson on the final play of practice. Defensive players are not allowed to touch the red-clad QBs, but coach Pete Carroll stepped in to signal the safety.
Special teams: Brandon Coutu drilling a 53-yard field goal.
IN AND OUT
The club signed two players today: running back Vai Taua and linebacker Michael Johnson, who was with the team earlier in camp.
To clear roster spots, running back Chase Reynolds and defensive tackle Ladi Ajiboye were waived. Ajiboye was on the roster when camp opened, waived and then re-signed Thursday. He played in the preseason opener against the Chargers and registered a tackle.
Taua, who played at Nevada, had been the Buffalo Bills camp before being released Aug. 5. He was a three-time All-WAC selection, rushing for more than 1,300 yards in each of his final three seasons – including 1,534 yards and 19 TDs last season.
Also, tight end Ryan Travis has been moved to fullback and practiced at that position for the first time this afternoon.
Wide receiver Chris Carter returned practice after sitting out on Saturday, but five new players joined the ranks of those not practicing: tight end John Carlson, defensive Jameson Konz, wide receiver Doug Baldwin, defensive end Pierre Allen and kicker Jeff Reed.
UP NEXT
The players will have a walk-thru on Monday morning and then practice at 1:45. The session is the next-to-last that will be open to the public. Fans also can register to attend the Wednesday afternoon practice.
Today’s practice drew the largest turnout of camp – 2,319; five more than on Saturday.
YOU DON’T SAY
“I haven’t even thought about it. It’s football. No matter who’s on the other side I’m a Seahawk now. I’m going to war with those guys and the 12th Man this week. So that’s all that matters.” – Rice, when asked about the twist that is him playing his first home game at CenturyLink Field on Saturday night against his former team
