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Eric D. Williams took over the Seahawks beat and Seahawks Insider blog in December. Williams has covered the Seahawks, Sonics and high school sports for The News Tribune since joining the paper in 2006. Eric lives in Tacoma with his wife and two children.
Tacoma News Tribune columnist Dave Boling also contributes to the Seahawks Insider blog.
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Thursday, June 5th, 2008
Posted by Frank Hughes @ 01:47:59 pm
This post will admittedly be shorter than others because A) I can't feel my fingers to type a&^%$$&*())__nd B) my notebook got soaked every time I pulled it out of my pocket and it would not retain ink.
Having said that, newly acquired WR Chas Gessner made two really nice catches along the sideline, standing out for the first time.
Most of the practice looked slow, in part because players were very wary while trying to gain their footing. Patrick Kerney was on the side field pulling weights on a sled, and Rob Sims was off to the side doing some work on the blocking sled. I swear Sims' arms look twice as big as they did last year, which is to say 8 times as big as mine.
During punt return drills, the return men getting work were Justin Forsett, Nate Burleson, Ben Obomanu and (wait, wait, wait, are you ready for it?) Seneca Wallace.
Josh Wilson had a pretty nice interception of a pass along the sidelines at one point.
The kickers had another kickoff, and both hit all their attempts. (Editor's note to Seahawks' PR, it's only charting kicks if somebody happens to miss.) Olindo Mare dinged the upright on his last kick, a 48-yarder, but it bounced through.
John Carlson was out running more routes than he has in this camp, making some decent catches on a sloppy morning. TE Joe Newton had a tough end of practice. He caught a pass over the middle, and was essentially mugged by D.D. Lewis, who knocked the ball away and in the process knocked down Newton. Then on the last play of practice, a pass bounced off Newton's hands and into the hands of Kevin Hobbs, prompting a spirited dance and chant by the entire defense. Boling brought this up yesterday and I agree, Hobbs is making enough plays to really stand out.
There were no new injuries. Rocky Bernard once again took part in individual drills but not team drills. He was not available to talk.
Categories: Minicamps
• 34 comments
well, at least carlson's out there - he'd better be ready, or he'll get an earful of holmy.
i do like that kid, hobbs - that dude is going to be a STAR.
pen and paper, hughesness? in a day of laptops and palm devices, that's rather impressive. when all else fails, go with what ya know.
COMMENTS:
glad to hear Hobbs is standing out....I always am a little nervous about our CB depth
how's Newton been overall???? I liked what I saw out of him and it seemed like he had potential. Any chance at all of making the team???
What about Alcorn???? I have heard rave comments about his receiving ability?
how's Newton been overall???? I liked what I saw out of him and it seemed like he had potential. Any chance at all of making the team???
What about Alcorn???? I have heard rave comments about his receiving ability?
well, at least carlson's out there - he'd better be ready, or he'll get an earful of holmy.
i do like that kid, hobbs - that dude is going to be a STAR.
pen and paper, hughesness? in a day of laptops and palm devices, that's rather impressive. when all else fails, go with what ya know.
oh come on STTBM....Sims was thrown in there. He actually did a pretty solid job last season, but like anything in the NFL, it takes time to really learn the position. I think he definately has what it takes to be a stand-out offensive lineman, he just had to learn the game. Last year was his first test and I think he passed it.
This season, I'm not just looking at him to pass his 2nd test....but to completely ACE it. I have faith that he learned from last year, gotten better physically and mentally and will do a solid job for us this season.
You can't expect him to go in there and be a pro-bowler from day one.
I expect to see a lot better things from a more mature Sims and Spencer.
This season, I'm not just looking at him to pass his 2nd test....but to completely ACE it. I have faith that he learned from last year, gotten better physically and mentally and will do a solid job for us this season.
You can't expect him to go in there and be a pro-bowler from day one.
I expect to see a lot better things from a more mature Sims and Spencer.
DSAhawker,
I agree, and I might add that Sims (and the rest of the O-line) will benefit from the addition of Mike Solari. Word was that the O-line was essentially getting no coaching by the end of last season. That, as much as anything else, probably contributed to Sims's lack of progress.
I agree, and I might add that Sims (and the rest of the O-line) will benefit from the addition of Mike Solari. Word was that the O-line was essentially getting no coaching by the end of last season. That, as much as anything else, probably contributed to Sims's lack of progress.
I guarantee Solari will improve the lines play. But he may not be able to do much to help Spencer make line calls, or keep Sims from getting so worked up for games that he freaks out and blocks the wrong guy.
Even Walter Jones was disgusted with Sims and stopped even giving him pointers. He flat refused to carry Sims' load anymore.
The wierd thing is, Sims was pretty good in spot-duty his rookie year, then fell apart last season. Everyone hopes he can live up to his enormous potential.
I havent heard anything about Ray Willis. The guy would have had the RG job last season, or replaced Sims except he missed a large chunk with injuries. So far in camp, I've heard that Vallos is getting pushed around--by rookie Red Bryant no less--as is Wrotto. Those guys need to step up if Sims falters as he did last season.
I think we're gonna have an excellent line this season, but Sims has got to get his head right.
Even Walter Jones was disgusted with Sims and stopped even giving him pointers. He flat refused to carry Sims' load anymore.
The wierd thing is, Sims was pretty good in spot-duty his rookie year, then fell apart last season. Everyone hopes he can live up to his enormous potential.
I havent heard anything about Ray Willis. The guy would have had the RG job last season, or replaced Sims except he missed a large chunk with injuries. So far in camp, I've heard that Vallos is getting pushed around--by rookie Red Bryant no less--as is Wrotto. Those guys need to step up if Sims falters as he did last season.
I think we're gonna have an excellent line this season, but Sims has got to get his head right.
i'll just add that i'm glad to see the team actually practice in the rain... nothing grinds my gears more than hearing how we always moved practice or inflated our bubble to avoid the rain... the way i see it, at least 1 practice a week needs to be outdoors... i mean this is seattle and we no longer have a dome!
oh - and i'll also say that ALL practices should be outdoors for kickers... infact, the next really crappy day i want to hear how Mare and Cotou (sp? I'll learn how to spell it if he makes the team) got their butts off the couch and kick some field goals in ACTUAL weather... (and without heated pants)
oh - and i'll also say that ALL practices should be outdoors for kickers... infact, the next really crappy day i want to hear how Mare and Cotou (sp? I'll learn how to spell it if he makes the team) got their butts off the couch and kick some field goals in ACTUAL weather... (and without heated pants)
We would have read this in Franks re-cap above, but it's on the Charlotte Observer instead. I'll miss the guy, but can't say I miss reading about his injuries.
"Receiver D.J. Hackett missed his second consecutive workout because of a sore knee."
http://www.charlotte.com/panthers/story/653223.html
The main story about about Torry Holt is pretty interesting. He loves playing against us. I hope he finds a way to go to the Panthers this season.
"Receiver D.J. Hackett missed his second consecutive workout because of a sore knee."
http://www.charlotte.com/panthers/story/653223.html
The main story about about Torry Holt is pretty interesting. He loves playing against us. I hope he finds a way to go to the Panthers this season.
Point Blank - Sims sucks. He was supposedly "good" his rookie year because of his "potential." Well, he sucked last year - in his second year. Aren't people supposed to get better from year 1 to year 2? I always thought so. F-the sophomore jinx... it's football and you're a guard... either you can kick ass or you're a wuss...
Now he has a built in excuse to suck in year 3 - he is moving from LG to RG. I never saw the "enormous" potential in him... guess most NFL people didn't either or he wouldn't have been available at the end of the 4th round a few years ago.
Do I think he's going to be a worthless pile-of-crap in year 3? Not exactly. He got to play some in year 1, and got to start (badly) in year 2... so it seems natural that one would get better (can't get worse, can he?)... even if he has to move to the right side...
I think some of us need to stop being blinded by "our guys." Fans of their teams always think their guys are so much better (unless we're talking about a Chris Gray "performance" of '07) than they really are...
Thank God we have a good LT and LG so we don't have to worry so much about about the other interior line crap (which should be better in '08... but, nevertheless, will still be crap... just not as bad of crap as the '07 version)...
Now he has a built in excuse to suck in year 3 - he is moving from LG to RG. I never saw the "enormous" potential in him... guess most NFL people didn't either or he wouldn't have been available at the end of the 4th round a few years ago.
Do I think he's going to be a worthless pile-of-crap in year 3? Not exactly. He got to play some in year 1, and got to start (badly) in year 2... so it seems natural that one would get better (can't get worse, can he?)... even if he has to move to the right side...
I think some of us need to stop being blinded by "our guys." Fans of their teams always think their guys are so much better (unless we're talking about a Chris Gray "performance" of '07) than they really are...
Thank God we have a good LT and LG so we don't have to worry so much about about the other interior line crap (which should be better in '08... but, nevertheless, will still be crap... just not as bad of crap as the '07 version)...
"Rite in the Rain"
Its a must have if you work outdoors.
Frank, do you have an idea of comparing our new kickers range compared to evil Josh Browns? What changes will Holmgren make this year as far as potentially going for it on 4th and shorts compared to kicking longer field goals.
I am not as worried about kicking this year because we actually have some decent backs who can make 3rd and 1's. But I was just wondering your thoughts
Its a must have if you work outdoors.
Frank, do you have an idea of comparing our new kickers range compared to evil Josh Browns? What changes will Holmgren make this year as far as potentially going for it on 4th and shorts compared to kicking longer field goals.
I am not as worried about kicking this year because we actually have some decent backs who can make 3rd and 1's. But I was just wondering your thoughts
Sims was unfortunate to get here on a line that was coached by Laveroni for his first two years. Laveroni didn't coach. He will however benefit just as much from Solari coaching this year and you should see a huge differnce in the overall line play and not just because of Wahle.
I think the blog is putting too much blame on our backs for our 3rd and short problems last year. Earl Campbell would not have been able to make the first down when he is hit well before he reached the line of scrimmage. The line play was horrid last year. We have a new coach, I hope that helps. We have at least one new starter, and I hope at least two (don’t tell me Chris Gray is going to start one last season).
And we have new backs that will be running the plays, that may be a good thing or it may not, only time will tell. Jones is not known as a short yardage runner so I am having trouble understanding how that will be an upgrade. I have always thought of Duckett as a bust so I am hoping to be proven wrong there. Duckett is a big guy but he has never been known as a great short yardage runner; that has to tell you something. Duckett has also never been known as good blocker which tells you he isn’t willing to do the dirty work even though he is big. I think Weaver is the most likely candidate for our short yardage back, put Schmitt in front of him and see what he can do.
And we have new backs that will be running the plays, that may be a good thing or it may not, only time will tell. Jones is not known as a short yardage runner so I am having trouble understanding how that will be an upgrade. I have always thought of Duckett as a bust so I am hoping to be proven wrong there. Duckett is a big guy but he has never been known as a great short yardage runner; that has to tell you something. Duckett has also never been known as good blocker which tells you he isn’t willing to do the dirty work even though he is big. I think Weaver is the most likely candidate for our short yardage back, put Schmitt in front of him and see what he can do.
Yep, Sims had lousy coaching for two years by Dr. Jekyl. Although Mr. Hyde wasn't too shabby with Jones and Hutchinson from '03 through '05. This party line from Kirkland (soon to be Renton) about changing the line coach is getting tiresome. The bounced ex-line coach handled an O Line that was considered the best in the NFC at one time. Then he became an idiot and inept at the same time. Stop drinking the Koolaid. The O line may prove proficient with the addition of Solari's coaching and Wahle's playing (although I doubt that he will come close to improving the play as much as Hutch has improved the Vikes and Faneca will improve the Jets - you get what you pay for and their $7+M will get the Vikes and Jets more than Wahle's $3M will get the Hawks - side note I read today that the Panthers are expecting much-improved line play with the replacement of Wahle), but the proof will be on Sundays starting in September and not in some lame blog. If that were not the case, then every team will be in the SB, as every team is "without a loss" in the spring. I think Frank's hands were chilled because of the icy glass of Koolaid he was drinking.
Frank, just once a little critical reporting would be nice to balance out all of the atta-boys for the benchwarmers like Hobbs. Did you see no poor play? Either you are making a conscious decision to not report any or you have failed to see any, because surely some exists.
Frank, just once a little critical reporting would be nice to balance out all of the atta-boys for the benchwarmers like Hobbs. Did you see no poor play? Either you are making a conscious decision to not report any or you have failed to see any, because surely some exists.
If Seattle had Wahle when Hutch un-expectly jumped shipped, it sure would've kept the faithful from whinning. But having one solid guard does not guarnatee you a good team. The 2007 injuries of SA, Matt, Strong, Hackett, Tubbs, Trufant, Stevens, Jackson, Walt, Locklear, etc. somehow would've mattered and we would've won the SB in 2007 if Hutch was still Hawk, go figure.
Frank, We keep hearing about Sims move to RG and Wahle's added toughness at LG, but I'd like to hear some of the real football pros give us more of a coaches perspective on this. Maybe Dave Boling would chime in here?
What is it about the RG in Holmy's offense that will be so much easier for Sims? Obviously the right side of the line gets a block from the TE while the LG needs to play in space a little more to help the LT. But Seahawks coaches compliment Sims on his quickness and ability to pull and move, so if he couldn't handle those responsibilities at LG why should they think he'll be better at RG?
I'm looking forward to seeing Ray Willis get healthy again and try to win a starting job. I'm interested in seeing Wrotto too, although I expect him to still be raw and learning. I want to see competition at RG. I don't think we can assume Sims deserves to start until he shows us something.
What is it about the RG in Holmy's offense that will be so much easier for Sims? Obviously the right side of the line gets a block from the TE while the LG needs to play in space a little more to help the LT. But Seahawks coaches compliment Sims on his quickness and ability to pull and move, so if he couldn't handle those responsibilities at LG why should they think he'll be better at RG?
I'm looking forward to seeing Ray Willis get healthy again and try to win a starting job. I'm interested in seeing Wrotto too, although I expect him to still be raw and learning. I want to see competition at RG. I don't think we can assume Sims deserves to start until he shows us something.
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