Seahawks Camp Recap
If you think the Seahawks are practicing less compared to years gone by you are right. The team completed their offseason mini camp last week after only three sessions this time around.
On June 6-8 the team was penalized by the NFL for having violated the new CBA by having live contact during the camp, and thus were forced to forfeit three practices.
At their most recent camp some things came into sharper focus, while others remained as blurry as they were at the outset.
The blurriest of all is the Quarterback situation, which wasn’t going to get resolved in only three days after Coach Pete Carroll stated there would be an open competition anyway, but still remains the top question mark for the 2012 Hawks.
Today I’ll look back at the 5 things you need to know about the recently concluded sessions.
1. Who will be the starting Quarterback?
When the Seahawks signed Matt Flynn in the offseason, the expectation from many was that he would come in and be slated as the starter.
With Russell Wilson in the QB mix you have a three way race with no apparent leader yet. (Photo Credit – AP)
Many figured that the team had seen much of what incumbent Tarvaris Jackson could do last season, and that Flynn was brought in to upgrade him.
That doesn’t seem to be the case, at least not yet. Throw rookie Russell Wilson into the QB mix, and you have a three way race with no apparent leader yet.
When asked on Monday who was ahead in the competition, Head Coach Pete Carroll stated, “We don’t know yet.”
It’s understandable that they are taking a wait-and-see approach with Flynn, who has only started two games in the NFL, but the fans are growing anxious to learn who will be inserted as the starting QB so that that player can get as much work in with the number ones before the start of the season.
We continue to wait.
2. Will DE Chris Clemons report?
If fans are getting anxious with the QB competition, some are getting down right furious with Defensive End Chris Clemons, who failed to report to the mandatory minicamp, and continues to holdout.
While there is no doubt that Clemons is a valuable cog on the line, leading the team in sacks for the past two seasons, there are questions if the Seahawks should break the bank for a 30-year old player, or move on.
At this time, the stalemate continues.
3. How did first round pick Bruce Irvin look?
Rookie pass rusher and 2012 first round pick Bruce Irvindrew praise from Seahawks Coaches for his speed off the snap, and his football smarts. Coach Carroll simply had this to say about the young man after his first minicamp, “He’s very, very fast. He’s very instinctive.”
Golden Tate stands in the way of a roster spot for Antonio Bryant, if he even gets a roster invite.
It’s early yet, but never too early to hear that your first round draft pick is looking like one.
4. What’s the deal with Antonio Bryant?
Well, that remains to be seen, but veteran Wide Receiver Antonio Bryant was invited to attend the camp even after sitting out the last two NFL seasons.
He has shown some serious ability in the past, and has made some spectacular circus catches, but is he a viable candidate at Wideout?
Reports indicate that he has left camp without a contract, and it remains to be seen if one is forthcoming, but it would be hard to move into the roster ahead of the likes of Sidney Rice, Doug Baldwin, Golden Tate, Mike Williams, and Ben Obomanu.
5. Any roster moves to report?
Rookie Defensive End Monte Taylor was waived last Friday, and Tight End John Nalbone was waived on Monday.
The Hawks then signed Tackle Edawn Coughman.
Recently exonerated Linebacker Brian Banks, who’s story captivated readers on the internet in the recent weeks for being falsely accused of rape, left the Seahawks camp without signing a contract, though he received much praise from Coach Carroll.
He is now attending a rookie minicamp with the division rival 49ers.
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