Marquise Blair shone on nickelback Wednesday with two interceptions. (Getty)
Who would have thought that a Seahawks game would be a story on the page?
Sailors vote out in protest against game against Padres
Apologies for bashing you in the face with two of the most overblown words of 2020, but in the most uncertain year of our lives, athletes protesting games across multiple sports are in protest, much like before it becomes. After today’s events, who knows if the Hawks will actually open in Atlanta for less than three weeks this year?
Whatever the case, Seattle packed its second and final dress rehearsal of training camp at CenturyLink Field on Wednesday. And this time, they finished the game with zero injuries.
Just like last time, we are limited in what we can tell you about the actual game. But here were my biggest names:
• I had my doubts about Marquise Blair being able to play a whole new position in his second season. Moving from safety to nickelback is quite the challenge if you have never played the last position, let alone if a pandemic shortened the offseason, but Blair was the star of Wednesday’s mock game. He intercepted two Anthony Gordon passes – one from a deflection by Shaquill Griffin, and another on the right sideline – blew through the line of scrimmage for a great tackle for a loss, and made a physical play on a pass to the sideline to force an imperfection,
• The other star? Carlos Hyde. The six-year veteran picked up right where he left off last year in Houston, and blew through the line of scrimmage with force for a few big runs. He has an impressive second rushing speed when he hits the open field. The Seahawks returned to viable runs at the end of last season. Hyde joins the duo Chris Carson / Rashaad Penny soene avoid investigating that issue at the end of the season of Seattle’s running game.
• I’m not sure who the Seahawks’ second cornerback is, but Shaquill Griffin is their best player. Griffin had two deviations – including the one mentioned above on one of Blair’s choices – and made a great open-field tackle on a tight end right in front of the sticks on third and short. That said, there’s a moment he’s likely to regret that I’ll be on later.
• I wish I could say that the Seahawks’ defensive players (probably first string) dominated the day, but that just wasn’t the case. They went up against Gordon, the indefinite rookie from Washington State who had an extremely rough day at quarterback. He was hit hard his first snap under center, threw up two prayers in heavy cover that were intercepted, lost control of the football while trying to make a handoff, was on the field for three false starts over two drives , and looked extremely uncomfortable after all. Seattle’s defense was not least challenged when he was on the field. I feel for him. Playing in the NFL is no joke.
• Tight ends of Seahawks must be an enormous year in. Russell Wilson looked for her – especially Greg Olsen, who remains impressed – and slammed her tight through the seams. Jacob Hollister also made that part of the field the most, grabbing another touchdown pass through the seam.
• Russell and DK Metcalf were not 100% synchronized. Wilson overtook him on an end zone fade, then again on a shot after a running back failed the pressure in the middle. Later, he threw behind Metcalf in a bar that DK could still corral, and almost threw a pick six to Debine Renfro, while forcing it to 14. But if they join? Like when Russell Metcalf stepped in through cover coverage for a superb strike from the touchdown of about 30 yards the left sideline? It’s GLORIOUS.
• DeeJay Dallas got plenty of chances. I think he’ll be the Seahawks’ fourth-round pick, especially if he can catch the football. Dallas almost jumped a Gordon throw away, but was able to regain control with one hand. I found it remarkable that he ended the game gloved. You see skill skills who don’t have gloves these days.
• I never thought I would say this, but I feel it extreme comfortable with Geno Smith as the Seahawks’ reserve quarterback. He did a great Russell imitation, and dropped a perfect ball to David Moore over his body as he rolled to his left.
• Danny Etling has a shot to make the roster as a quarterback. He has mobility, does not panic when under pressure, and made a nice throw past Griffin for a tackle on undefeated UW rookie Aaron Fuller. In fact, Fuller caught while diving with one hand. That gives nothing. It was the game of the day.
• Play for honorable mention? How about when TE Tyler Mabry, who stands at 247 pounds, a guy in the middle of a catch and runs hard. That was great.
• I’m not sure I’ll ever feel great about Jason Myers as the Seahawks kicker. Yes, he hit the only field goal he tried, but he missed an extra point wide to the left. I get that the Hawks have fewer offers this offseason, but why not bring some competition?
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Earlier: Paul Gallant’s takeaways from the Seahawks’ first mock game
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