Monday’s practice at VMAC saw the Seahawks pack for the first time in pads in training camp, resulting in a much more physical training session. Appropriately, the practice ended with a kiss, with linebacker Ben Burr-Kirven putting a good pop on rookie that turned DeeJay Dallas back to stop a run that came to the second level.
“Today is the first day we put shoulder pads, which is good to get back to that part of the game, which is kind of the real part,” Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said prior to practice.
With things getting a little real, here are five observations from Tuesday’s practice.
1. Jamal Adams, player.
As the Seahawks began practicing their 11-on-11 portion, Jamal Adams made his mark straight from the ball, coming off the edge to blow up a running play in the backfield. And the All-Pro security was just warming up.
A few plays later when the no. 1 misdemeanor and no. 1-defense in the red zone were counterattacked, Adams fell into cover and made a leap interception, which he returned to the sideline, he celebrated and did not look at all bored when the offense gave way. It was the kind of changing game that the Seahawks hope to see a lot more of in 2020 from the player they acquired last month in a deal with the Jets.
2. It was a good day for the usually speedy FC.
While Adams delivered the highlight of the day, many great plays were made on Monday. In the same session of the red zone, Tre Flowers had a dive pass breakup in the end zone, when the no. 2-offense and defense were on the field, Neiko Thorpe came with a nice pass breakup at the goal line.
There were also some impressive moments for the Seattle pass-rushers in one-on-one drills, including Bruce Irvin and rookie Alton Robinson.
The Seahawks have some very athletic “old” boys.
Old should be in quotes, because in the real world, in your 30s qualifying qualifies as old, but the NFL is a game of a young man, and apart from a few positions like quarterback or kicker or punter, it is rare for players to thrive in their 30s.
On the aforementioned Adams interception, no one was able to catch the fast safety, but one of the last players to hunt who almost got Adams to the sideline was Duane Brown, Seattle’s Pro-Bowl left tackle dy it will be 35 later this month. Brown’s speed and athletic ability, relative to his position, would be quite impressive if he were a 22-year-old rookie; it’s just absurd for a player starting his 13th season.
Across the line from the scrimmage line, Bruce Irvin, at 32, remains one of the most athletic players on the field, and he showed it repeatedly on Monday, as with spinning moves in one-on-one passes. rush-drills, as by running backwards to the sideline in 11-on-11 drills.
Greg Olsen, the oldest player on the team, also looked like a player with a lot of speed and athletic ability left in his game in his 14th season.
The linebacker depth is impressive.
While Jordyn Brooks’ first round was in practice on Monday, the Seahawks were still able to deploy some really talented depths behind veterans Bobby Wagner and KJ Wright. Second-year linebackers Cody Barton and Ben Burr-Kirven were constantly around the ball as they reached the no. 2-defense lead, and between Irvin and Shaquem Griffin, the Seahawks have some very athletic and versatile players who can play strong linebacker and defensive end. Calculating to use all those linebackers the best will be a challenge for the Seattle coaches, but it’s a good problem to have.
“It’s a good deal now,” Carroll said. “Cody looked great, and BBK looked really good. That gives us a really nice mix, and we feel like there’s a little bit of experience. There’s a lot of soup and a lot of speed in the group, even with Griff in it. Anyone can fly. It’s an exciting group. “
5. The depth of the receiver is evident.
The Seahawks know they have an elite duo at receiver in Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf, and early on at least it looks like Phillip Dorsett II has a good chance of winning the no. 3 lanes, but things look wide open beyond that, and there are a number of players who make their case, from veterans with starting experience like David Moore to rookie Freddie Swain to second-year receiver John Ursua, who made a nice dive touchdown on Monday -grap had, until Cody Thompson, a member of the training team last year who just keeps on making camp.
“These guys can all play,” Carroll said.
