Seahawks.com Blog » Russell Wilson

Josh Portis released

Clare Farnsworth — Tue, 21 May 2013 22:45:10 +0000

Quarterback Josh Portis has been released, the team announced today.

Portis signed with the Seahawks as rookie free agent in 2011, when he made the 53-man roster as the No. 3 QB. He was inactive for 15 games and the backup in one because then-starter Tarvaris Jackson was injured. Portis was released from the practice squad last November and re-signed with Seattle on April 3.

Portis had been competing for a backup spot behind starter Russell Wilson with Brady Quinn, a former first-round draft choice by the Browns who was signed in free agency last month; and Jerrod Johnson, who also was signed last month.

Russell Wilson gives offense even stronger legs to stand on

Clare Farnsworth — Tue, 21 May 2013 17:36:34 +0000

Russell Wilson has given new meaning to the term base offense.

The Seahawks’ second-year quarterback says he has added five pounds this offseason – and it’s all in lower body.

“I’ve worked on my legs a lot,” Wilson said Monday after the team’s first OTA session. “That’s kind of the main thing that I’ve been working on all offseason, in terms of squatting a lot more (weight) and doing a lot more of movement stuff on my feet just to have that strong base.

“I’ve gained a couple of pounds here and there in my legs.”

Wilson played at 210 pounds last season, when he tied the NFL rookie record by throwing 26 touchdown passes and also broke the franchise mark for rushing yards (489) by a quarterback. He said he now weighs about 215.

“I would like to be where I’m at right now when the season starts.”

If Wilson’s on-field performance Monday was any indication the extra work has paid off. He displayed quickness and an impressive initial bust while breaking from the pocket on several runs – not that Wilson wasn’t already proficient in those areas while being productive running the zone-read last season.

Monday in Hawkville: Russell Wilson picks up far beyond where he left off

Clare Farnsworth — Mon, 20 May 2013 22:30:18 +0000

A recap of the activities at Virginia Mason Athletic Center for May 20, as the Seahawks kicked off the OTA portion of their offseason program:

FOCUS ON

Russell Wilson. The Seahawks’ second-year quarterback made it difficult to not watch him, and coach Pete Carroll summed up the situation when asked how much farther along Wilson is this year compared to last year – when he had just been selected in the third round of the NFL Draft and still was competing for the starting job with the since-departed duo of Matt Flynn and Tarvaris Jackson.

“There’s no way of even calculating that,” Carroll said after a crisp, spirited practice on yet another gorgeous day along the shores of Lake Washington. “His awareness and his sense for the finest details, we jumped offside today and he’s working on hard counts on the first play of team (drills).

“He didn’t know what a hard count was last year at this time.”

That might be stretching it just a tad, but saying that Wilson had a very impressive outing in the first of the team’s 10 OTA practices is not.

In that first team segment Carroll mentioned, Wilson completed passes to wide receivers Doug Baldwin and Golden Tate and also scrambled twice, before throwing a touchdown pass to tight end Anthony McCoy. Wilson remained almost as sharp, and aware, for the rest of the session.

“It’s really hard to equate what it is, because he’s applied himself so much that he’s taken an extraordinary amount of information and he’s processing it,” Carroll said. “He threw a couple of balls today – things that we’ve talked about over the offseason we’d like to take a shot at – and he did it today just to see what would happen. With full awareness of why he was doing it.”

Before the OTA session was over, Wilson had completed passes to 10 receivers – running back Robert Turbin; Baldwin and McCoy; Tate, running back Derrick Coleman, rookie tight end Luke Willson, Percy Harvin, tight end Zach Miller, wide receiver Bryan Walters and wide receiver Jermaine Kearse.

The pass to Kearse was vintage Wilson – and that’s saying something, as well, that a second-year QB already has established trademark nuances to his game. It came on the final play, as Wilson avoided pressure and got off a pass that caught Kearse as much as Kearse caught the pass.

“Russell is the kind of players that will affect other guys,” Carroll said. “He affects everybody around him and hopefully that will help everybody play better.”

Photo gallery

UNIT WATCH

Offensive line. Right tackle Breno Giacomini participated fully, after being limited in Phase 2 of the offseason program following elbow surgery. His returned allowed the No. 1 offense to field the same line that closed last season – Pro Bowl left tackle Russell Okung, left guard Paul McQuistan, All-Pro center Max Unger, right guard J.R. Sweezy and Giacomini.

Comprising the second unit, from left tackle to right: Mike Person, who had been working for Giacomini with the No. 1 line; Rishaw Johnson, Lemuel Jeanpierre, John Moffitt and Michael Bowie. In the third unit: Alvin Bailey, Johnson, Jared Smith, Ryan Seymour and Jordon Roussos.

PLAYER WATCH

Cliff Avril. And that’s what the defensive end who was signed in free agency was doing – watching, because he’s dealing with plantar fascia that he got a month ago.

But with Bruce Irvin facing a four-game suspension to start the regular season and Chris Clemons still recovering from surgery to repair the ligament and meniscus damage in his left knee from the wild-card playoff win over the Redskins in January, Avril is slated to be the starter at the Leo end spot in the Sept. 8 opener against the Panthers in Carolina.

“I like the fact that Cliff is here because he gave us a cushion for Clem,” Carroll said. “That now changes for the first month of the season.”

Today, Irvin continued to work at Leo end in the No. 1 nickel line, with Mike Morgan taking over with the second unit and Ty Powell going with the third unit. In the base defense, Michael Bennett was the Leo end with the No. 1 line.

ROSTER MOVES

Tight end Darren Fells was re-signed this morning, while snapper Adam Steiner was released to clear a spot on the 90-man roster.

Fells, a basketball player in college who also played professionally in Belgium, Ireland and Argentina, was released two weeks ago. But he attended the May 10-12 rookie minicamp on a tryout basis. Steiner had been claimed off waivers last week.

Also, running back Christine Michael, who was selected in the second round of the NFL Draft last month, signed his rookie contract.

UP NEXT

The players also have OTA sessions Tuesday and Thursday this week. Next week, they’ll go Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.

YOU DON’T SAY, PLAYER EDITION

“We really don’t care. Coach said we’ve got a lot of hype, but he also said let’s make it natural. Everybody around here expects us to win, but we expect ourselves to win, too. We don’t come out here saying we hope to lose. With a good team comes a lot of talk, but we put all that behind us. We’re out here having fun, we’re competing and that’s how it’s going to be.” – Harvin, when asked how the players were handling the heightened expectations that have come from being regarded among the “favorites” in the league this offseason by the national media

YOU DON’T SAY, COACH EDITION

“It was a very, very good first day for us.” – Carroll

Seahawks well represented in Top 100 Plays of 2012

Tony Drovetto — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:18:11 +0000

NFL Network’s NFL AM has been counting down the Top 100 Plays of 2012, and 46 plays into the countdown, the Seahawks are well represented on their list.

We take timeout to pay homage to the seven plays on the list that feature some of Seattle’s very own.

No. 96 - Golden Tate’s 14-yard catch-and-run for a touchdown that gave the Seahawks a three-point lead with 32 seconds left in the game against the Chicago Bears in Week 13. Bears quarterback Jay Cutler would connect with wide receiver Brandon Marshall on the ensuing drive to set up a field goal that would tie the game at 17, but Russell Wilson led an 80-yard touchdown drive in the opening possession of overtime to give Seattle a 23-17 victory with a play that we’re sure will show up later on this list.

No. 89 – It’s only appropriate that play No. 89 on their countdown goes to the Seahawks’ No. 89 – wide receiver Doug Baldwin. His 43-yard juggling catch against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 16 made the cut on the countdown. Baldwin was the club’s leading receiver that day, hauling in four catches for 53 yards and two scores, as Seattle topped the division rival Niners, 42-13, on Sunday Night Football.

No. 88 - Eighty-eight goes to Golden Tate, who shows up for the second time in the countdown’s first 12 plays. Tate’s acrobatics are on display again in this one, as he takes a quick pass from Russell Wilson and dodges defenders for 11 yards before diving into the end zone for a touchdown in Week 9 against the Minnesota Vikings. The play gave the Seahawks a 20-17 lead they would not surrender, as they bested the Vikings 30-20 at CenturyLink Field.

No. 77 – Russell Wilson checks in at No. 77 on the countdown, but not for one of the many plays he made with his arm last season. It’s Wilson’s feet that get the recognition here, as he practically out-maneuvers the entire New England Patriots defense on a 3rd-and-4 play to pick up nine yards and a first down. No offense to CBS Sports play-by-play man Ian Eagle, but this play gets much more entertaining (and equally more appropriate) when the slapstick comedy “Yakety Sax” tune is played over the top of Wilson’s scramble. Mute the video of the play below and queue up “Yakety Sax” on YouTube, try to start both videos at nearly the same time, and enjoy.

No. 69 – The Legion of Boom makes their presence known for the first (and we’re pretty sure it won’t be the last) time on the Top 100 plays of 2012, as free safety Earl Thomas snagged a Ryan Fitzpatrick pass and returned it 57 yards for a touchdown to cap off a 50-17 win over the Buffalo Bills in Toronto. Aided by Thomas’ effort, the Seahawks became the third team in NFL history and first since 1950 to score 50 points or more in back-to-back games, after posting 58 in a shutout of the Arizona Cardinals the week prior.

No. 61 – Tight end Zach Miller makes the list for his tremendous one-handed touchdown grab in Week 8 against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Miller hauled in a 16-yard pass from quarterback Russell Wilson for his first touchdown as a Seahawk.

No. 59 – Golden Tate shows up for the third time on this list, this time when he connects with fellow wide receiver Sidney Rice on a 23-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of a Week 10 game against the New York Jets at CenturyLink Field. Quarterback Russell Wilson fakes a hand-off to running back Robert Turbin and then pitches the ball back to Tate, who acts like a runner before winding up his left arm and delivering a strike to Rice in the back of the end zone.

That’s it for now. The Top 100 Plays of 2012 continue this week, as plays No. 51-55 are unveiled throughout the week on NFL Network’s NFL AM.

Patriots at Seahawks featured as 12th-best game of 2012

Tony Drovetto — Thu, 16 May 2013 22:00:09 +0000

It’s quite fitting that the 12th-best game on NFL.com’s list of the Top 20 games of 2012 goes to the home of the 12th Man.

The Seahawks’ 24-23 victory over the New England Patriots in Week 6 of last season at CenturyLink Field was unveiled today at No. 12 on their list. In that game, the Seahawks battled back from a 23-10 deficit midway through the fourth quarter, as quarterback Russell Wilson threw scoring passes to wide receiver Braylon Edwards and again to wide receiver Sidney Rice with less than 90 seconds to play. The Seahawks defense then closed the door on Tom Brady and the Pats by forcing a turnover on downs on New England’s ensuing possession to secure the 24-23 win.

The game was somewhat of a coming out party for Wilson, who completed 16 of 27 passes for 293 yards and three touchdowns, good for a 133.7 quarterback rating. Until that point, Wilson’s arm had been kept under wraps by head coach Pete Carroll and offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, who asked Wilson to avoid risks and play it safe with the football.

Wilson’s counterpart that day, Brady, threw 31 more times than the Seahawks rookie, completing 36 of 58 for two touchdowns and two interceptions – one by cornerback Richard Sherman and another by free safety Earl Thomas.

Elliot Harrison of NFL.com has his full recap of the game here, and below he explains why this game was ranked where it was:

“Patriots-Seahawks featured two of the better clubs from last season, with the bonus being that we rarely see this interconference matchup.

Going a step further, you couldn’t find two more contrasting styles if you tried. Seattle pounds the ball, tries to completely shut down your offense and asks its quarterback to make plays in spots. Meanwhile, New England often places the whole game on its quarterback’s shoulders, while living off takeaways on defense. Consider: Brady attempted 31 more passes than Wilson in this game, despite the fact New England had a two-score lead in the fourth.

All that made for an intriguing matchup decided by one point. Not bad.”

Seahawks’ Six land on Top 100 list

Clare Farnsworth — Tue, 14 May 2013 17:05:52 +0000

Pete Prisco has his annual list of the Top 100 players in the NFL at CBSSports.com, and guess who checks in at No. 9?

It’s Richard Sherman, the Seahawks’ All-Pro cornerback. Says Prisco, “He is cocky, brash and plays with a nasty edge. Oh, he can also cover. He had eight picks and led the league with 32 passes defended. …”

Other Seahawks on Prisco’s list include an All-Pro free safety who just turned 24; a pair of Russells; an All-Pro running back; and a recently acquired receiver/runner/returner. Here’s where those players are ranked, as well as Prisco’s comment:

FS Earl Thomas (51) – “He is the centerfielder on a good defense, showing off both range and the ability to tackle. He is just now getting to his prime.”

QB Russell Wilson (82) – “Despite his size, he showed in his rookie season that he has what it takes to be a top-level quarterback. It’s early, but he gets it.”

LT Russell Okung (86) – “He is the anchor of the Seattle line, the guy who protects Russell Wilson’s backside. He is coming off his best season.”

RB Marshawn Lynch (87) – “He had 1,590 yards and averaged 5 yards per rush. He is a big reason why Seattle made the playoffs.”

WR/RB/KOR Percy Harvin (97) – “He is an explosive playmaker when he’s on the field. But he’s had trouble staying there and his per-catch average of 10.9 needs to be better.”

Prisco also has a Top 10 of players under 23, and Seahawks middle linebacker Bobby Wagner is ranked No. 4. Says Prisco, “He finished seventh in the NFL in tackles playing in the middle on one of the best defenses in the league. He is a rangy linebacker who can also play the pass. He had three interceptions as a rookie.”

On this date: Russell Wilson plays his way into QB competition

Clare Farnsworth — Mon, 13 May 2013 17:31:04 +0000

A look at a memorable moment in Seahawks history that occurred on May 13:

2012: At the conclusion of the team’s three-day rookie minicamp, coach Pete Carroll announces that Russell Wilson will join the competition for the starting quarterback job with free-agent addition Matt Flynn and incumbent starter Tarvaris Jackson. “Here’s what I’m going to say about it, he’s going to be in the competition,” Carroll said of Wilson, who had been selected in the third round of the NFL Draft. “He’s shown us enough, he’s in the competition.” Wilson ended up not only winning the competition, Jackson was traded to the Bills last September and Flynn was traded to the Raiders this April.

Rookie minicamp round-up: Day two

Tony Drovetto — Sat, 11 May 2013 15:39:15 +0000

Good morning, and welcome to day two of the Seahawks’ rookie minicamp.

It was a busy day yesterday here at Virginia Mason Athletic Center, as 67 players turned out for the weekend’s competition. The camp’s roster features a mix of 2013 draft picks, undrafted rookie free agents that have signed or agreed to terms with the club, tryout players, and current Seahawks who are still eligible to participate in the three-day camp.

Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times outlines yesterday’s work of tight end Luke Willson, the Seahawks’ fifth round draft pick who made quite the impact on his first day in the Pacific Northwest.

Jayson Jenks of the Seattle Times highlights the performances of a pair of drafted D-linemen – third-rounder Jordan Hill out of Penn State and fifth-rounder Jesse Williams of Alabama.

Danny O’Neil of 710Sports.com profiles the Seahawks’ top draft pick – running back Christine Michael out of Texas A&M – and his pair of massive biceps.

Brady Henderson of 710Sports.com recaps a post-practice conversation with Carroll, where coach was quick to call out the tight end Willson’s standout performance. The entry from Henderson also includes some pre-minicamp comments from general manager John Schneider and video analysis from 710 Sports’ Brock Huard on why the Seahawks made Willson a priority in last month’s draft.

Eric Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune also focuses on Michael and Willson in his report from day one.

Doug Farrar of YahooSports.com has his impressions of the Seahawks’ first day of minicamp, and pegs seventh-round draft pick Michael Bowie – the offensive tackle out of Northeastern State, but who started his college career at Oklahoma State – as one rookie to keep an eye on.

Mike Sando of ESPN.com has his notes from yesterday’s practice session, including an interesting tactic head coach Pete Carroll used prior to the start of camp, “Wilson’s legacy: Carroll opened a morning staff meeting by showing video of [Russell] Wilson struggling with some of the basics, including center exchanges, during the rookie camp last year. Wilson finished the season with a playoff victory and an appearance in the Pro Bowl. Carroll wanted to put into perspective the first day of rookie minicamp so his coaches wouldn’t get down on a young player for struggling early.”

Shortly before yesterday’s session kicked off, the team announced they had signed seven draft choices and eight undrafted rookie free agents to multi-year deals.

Here at Seahawks.com, Clare Farnsworth profiles the second-round pick Michael and his “Hawkville” blog recaps Willson’s day, has a look at the makeup of the camp’s offensive line, and offers a positional breakdown of the camp’s 67-man roster.

Insider Tony Ventrella has his video report from the first day of rookie camp, with a brief introduction and look at each of the team’s drafted rookies.

And finally, team photographer Rod Mar has a look at the camp’s first practice in photos.

We’ll be back with more from Saturday’s practice and media availabilities later this afternoon.

Rookie minicamp round-up: Day one

Tony Drovetto — Fri, 10 May 2013 16:34:09 +0000

Rookie minicamp today! 1st practice of 2013! #SOTD: "Sky's the limit" by Biggie!! youtu.be/ktDeFS8KZPs #GoHawks—
Pete Carroll (@PeteCarroll) May 10, 2013

Good morning, and welcome to day one of the Seahawks’ rookie minicamp.

Rookies trickled into Virginia Mason Athletic Center throughout the afternoon yesterday for team physicals, player head shots, and administrative meetings. This morning, they’ll get in a round of offensive and defensive meetings and participate in a walk-thru before hitting the fields adjacent to the shores of Lake Washington for a 1:30 p.m. practice. Saturday’s practice will start at the same time – 1:30 p.m. – and Sunday’s session is slated for an 11:30 a.m. start.

Before all that gets going, we have some morning links for you previewing what to look for this weekend:

Eric Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune has his minicamp primer, posing five questions surrounding this year’s rookie class and crop of undrafted rookie free agents.

John Boyle of the Everett Herald has his camp preview, offering five things to keep an eye on at camp over the next three days.

Danny O’Neil of 710Sports.com has his list of five things we’ll be trying to find out about this year’s group of rookies.

Mike Sando of ESPN.com breaks down NFC West rosters by position as rookie camps start for all four teams in the division this weekend.

Our Clare Farnsworth highlights Seahawks quarterback Jerrod Johnson, who despite not being a rookie, will do most of the throwing for this weekend’s camp.

Farnsworth also catches up with offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell and defensive coordinator Dan Quinn on what the two will be looking for, and looking at, over the next three days.

And if you missed it last night, defensive lineman Greg Scruggs underwent ACL reconstruction yesterday for an injury he suffered prior to the 2013 NFL Draft.

We’ll be back with more after today’s practice and media availabilities. Until then, please have yourself a happy Seahawks Blue Friday.

It's #BlueFriday!!! #GoHawks—
Russell Wilson (@DangeRussWilson) May 10, 2013

The Real Rob Report: Offseason Workouts

Tony Drovetto — Wed, 08 May 2013 17:35:58 +0000

“The best way to kick off my appearance for the season is without a shirt on. I’m in a little bit better shape, right?”

If you’re a fan of Seahawks fullback Michael Robinson’s “The Real Rob Report” then it should be a pretty easy guess as to who’s behind that lighthearted quote that helps kick off his newest episode.

If you’re not yet a fan of the show, it’s about time you get in on all of the behind-the-scenes Seahawks goodness.

Robinson’s latest chapter features a look in at Phase 2 of the Seahawks’ offseason program at Virginia Mason Athletic Center. The familiar faces of Russell Wilson, Earl Thomas, Kam Chancellor, Brandon Browner, Winston Guy, John Moffitt, Max Unger, Josh Portis, Jermaine Kearse, and Phil Bates are all included, as well as the first “Real Rob Report” introductions with newcomers Percy Harvin, Cliff Avril, and Michael Bennett.

Remember, you can stay up to date on everything from the Real Mike Rob by following his show on Twitter and subscribing to his channel on YouTube. And be sure to check out Moffitt’s venture into the apparel business at moffittmerch.com, where like he said in the video above – he’s not “lining his pockets” with the proceeds – they help feed the homeless at Seattle’s Union Gospel Mission.

Thanks again for all the orders and support of the #seattle homeless! Be watching your mailboxes this week! #MoffittMerch is coming!—
Moffitt Merch (@MoffittMerch) May 08, 2013