Seahawks Insider - Archives for: May 2008, 03

Saturday, May 3rd, 2008

Posted by Frank Hughes @ 08:11:25 pm

I spent a good part of the practice watching a competition between rookie kicker Brandon Coutu and veteran Olindo Mare. It wasn't apparent that it was a competition until we realized that general manager Tim Ruskell and VP of player personnel Ruston Webster were monitoring it, as well as special teams coach Bruce DeHaven and assistant John Jamison.

Mare looks very smooth. He must have kicked about 20 straight without missing one kick. He didn't look pressed at all, just stepped up and booted them through, right down the middle. He went out to 38 yards.

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Categories: Minicamps • 18 comments

Ryan Plackemeier on Tyler Schmitt

Posted by Frank Hughes @ 02:28:59 pm

My good friend Scott "Short Bus" Johnson of the Everett Herald was kind enough to send me some Ryan Plackemeier quotes, since I missed Plack yesterday. Here is what Plack told Short Bus about new long snapper Tyler Schmitt:

RYAN PLACKEMEIER:

“You know where the ball’s going to be. The guys last year, they came in and worked hard in the time they had. But for being a young guy, I was impressed with Tyler. He’s still got work to do. You saw last year how much of a rhythm you have to get into, so we’ve just got to develop that rhythm. We’ve got plenty of time to do it, which is nice. Last year, you had a week to do it: ‘You’ve got a week to go, go find a rhythm.’ It’s nice to have some time to work into a rhythm. Right now, we’re miles ahead of where we were last year. It’s a lot of credit to him and the work he’s put in.”

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Categories: Quotes • 7 comments

Peek at the first three minicamp practices

Posted by Dave Boling @ 02:16:32 pm

Sorry it's been a while, troops. Gonna see if I can remember how to operate the old weblog ...

First impressions out of minicamp (some of which are targeted for the column in the Sunday Trib):

This team is noticeably fitter and leaner and faster.

It’s incalculable how much more quickly Julius Jones hits the hole than Shaun Alexander. He’s not very tall, of course, but he’s studly sturdy and gets up to speed in a couple steps. He will not be backfield dancer. He also catches the ball. Shaun Alexander will not be missed.

Mike Wahle is powerful and can move, giving them a pair of athletic guards who will help some of the new elements of the running game. With new line coaches, Rob Sims should get back on a quick learning curve.

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Categories: Minicamps • 10 comments

Saturday morning mini-camp practice

Posted by Frank Hughes @ 01:28:33 pm

The team was going to hold this morning's practice at the Renton facility, but it switched and held it at the Kirkland facility -- I think because of the rain. It was a brisk day, with rain early on and then dissipating as practice went on. Along with the guys who did not practice yesterday, Howard Green, Corey Williams and Anthony Russo did not practice. Not sure yet what their injuries are.

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Categories: Minicamps, Notes from practice • 8 comments

Seahawks Insider

Frank Hughes took over the Seahawks beat and Seahawks Insider blog in July. Hughes covered the Sonics for The News Tribune from 1997-2007. Frank also contributes to ESPN.com, KJR-AM radio and Pro Sports Exchange. In 2005, Frank co-authored "Slick Watts's Tales from the Seattle SuperSonics." Frank lives in Seattle with his wife, two sons and yellow lab.

News Tribune columnist Dave Boling and sports reporters Ryan Divish and Darrin Beene also contribute to the Seahawks Insider blog.