Seahawks notebook: Rookie Michael off to strong start
Aug 1, 2013, 2:19 PM | Updated: Aug 2, 2013, 11:43 am
By Danny O’Neil
RENTON – One thing to know before meeting Christine Michael: Dude’s got a vice grip of a handshake.
He’s capable of squeezing a yelp out of you if you’re not prepared, and able to make you wince even if you are expecting it.
“Something my dad taught me a long time ago,” Michael said Thursday.
 While he’s not a finished product, rookie Christine Michael has impressed coach Pete Carroll during training camp. (AP) |
His first impression on the field has been just as strong, and while the fact the Seahawks selected a running back in the second round surprised just about everyone, it’s not so shocking after watching the way he has worked in training camp.
“Lightning quick,” coach Pete Carroll said. “A really good worker in that he finishes. He makes an impression to you all the time that he’s really willing to bust his tail to get down the field and finish runs, finish blocks and all that stuff.”
The speed was evident last Saturday, the first day the team was in shoulder pads, when he took an inside run, cut back against the grain and outran the defense to get around the edge.
Robert Turbin has not been able to practice so far this training camp because of a sore foot, giving Michael an opportunity to make his case for regular-season carries.
Now, two things worth noting:
1). Michael is going to have to work on his pass protection, something Carroll conceded Michael didn’t get much experience with in four years at Texas A&M.
2). Offensive line coach Tom Cable said Monday that Michael has to learn when it’s time to dunk inside and get the “ugly four” instead of looking to cut back for an even bigger gain.
One thing Michael doesn’t have to worry about, though: strength. It’s not just his handshake, either. At 221 pounds, he’s got the muscle to fit right in with this backfield that is headlined by Marshawn Lynch and includes Turbin, whose arms are as big as some people’s legs.
Michael’s favorite superhero should be no surprise.
“The Hulk,” he said. “He’s just a big strong guy, man.”
Camp Carroll: Day 8 (Practice 7)
| Gear: | Helmets, shorts |
| Practice: | 10 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. |
| DNP: | DE Cliff Avril (hamstring), LB Bobby Wagner (shoulder), CB Jeremy Lane (foot), OT Michael Bowie (hamstring), CB Ron Parker (hamstring), DT Jesse Williams (knee), WR Sidney Rice (European mystery treatment), TE Michael Palmer (groin), TE Darren Fells (hamstring), DE Kenneth Boatright (arm), DT Michael Brooks (undisclosed), LB Kyle Knox (undisclosed). | PUP: | WR Percy Harvin, TE Zach Miller, DE Chris Clemons, DL Greg Scruggs, CB Tharold Simon, RB Robert Turbin. | Non-football Injury list: | LB Korey Toomer. | Interviews: | Richard Sherman | Earl Thomas |
Harvin update
Receiver Percy Harvin underwent hip surgery in New York Thursday, and he’ll be staying there for the next couple of weeks to begin rehabilitation.
“What we have heard so far is that the surgery went very well,” Carroll said. “And there’s a long rehab process coming up.”
Carroll offered no timeline on the recovery, but remained hopeful Harvin will be able to return at some point this season. Harvin is currently on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, where he’ll remain once the regular season begins.
Turbin to return soon
Like Harvin, Turbin is on PUP list, but he is expected to be activated as soon as next week as he continues to recover from an injured foot.
“For sure in two weeks if everything keeps going like it is,” Carroll said. “He’s running now. He’s working out hard. We’re just trying to make sure that we give him enough to get back in shape so once he starts working at the clip we go at, that he’ll be all right.”
Same goes for tight end Zach Miller, according to Carroll. Tight ends Michael Palmer and Darren Fells missed Thursday’s practice with leg injuries while rookie Luke Willson was in a red jersey, denoting no contact as the team sought to protect a sore shoulder.
“He needs to get all the work,” Carroll said, “but we didn’t want to bang him around.”
Notes
• The Seahawks will play a simulated game Friday afternoon, which will include a number of game situations. The ball will be moved for punts and the place kicks will not be rushed. “I’m telling these guys this is a test day for them to show us where they are, how far we’ve come,” Carroll said.
• Carroll didn’t make any promises on DE Chris Clemons’ recovery from offseason knee surgery, but he did sound optimistic. “They’re really excited about the progress he has been making,” Carroll said. “We’ve got some hopeful thoughts about that we’re trying to keep under our hat.”
• The Seahawks waived/injured WR Greg Herd, waived RB Ray Holley, claimed WR Perez Ashford off waivers from New England and signed TE Andrei Lintz. Ashford is an undrafted rookie from Northern Illinois. Lintz is an undrafted rookie from Washington State and a native of Bellingham.
