Notes and observations as Seahawks wrap up OTAs
Jun 9, 2016, 3:41 PM | Updated: 4:36 pm
(AP)
RENTON – The Seahawks held their ninth and final Organized Team Activity (OTA) Thursday, which was their last on-field practice until next week’s mandatory minicamp. Here are a few notes and observations:
• Seattle’s secondary was missing all but one projected starter – strong safety Kam Chancellor – which meant plenty of first-team work for several backups. Not in attendance were cornerbacks Richard Sherman, Jeremy Lane, Brandon Browner and Tye Smith as well as free safety Earl Thomas. Coach Pete Carroll didn’t speak with the media afterward, so there was no word on the reasons for those players’ absences (as a reminder, OTAs are voluntary). DeShawn Shead and Tharold Simon worked with the first team at cornerback while Kelcie McCray, a backup and fill-in starter at strong safety last season, played free safety. Stanley Jean-Baptiste got extensive work at left cornerback as well and made a few nice plays deep down the field, including one that drew a pleased reaction from defensive coordinator Kris Richard.
• Wide receiver Doug Baldwin and defensive end Frank Clark spoke at the podium after practice. Here’s video of Baldwin and here’s video of Clark.
• The offensive line looked the same as it did last week, during the last OTA that was open to the media. Bradley Sowell remained at left tackle as Garry Gilliam again watched from the sideline, presumably still nursing the knee from which he recently had a cyst removed. Terry Poole again worked with the starters at right tackle. J’Marcus Webb, the projected starter at that spot, has been dealing with what offensive-line coach Tom Cable last week described as a “pretty significant” calf strain, though he was able to get some work in during the earlier portion of Thursday’s practice. Mark Glowinski and rookie Germain Ifedi were again at left and right guard, respectively. As was the case during last week’s open OTA, Justin Britt worked with the first team at center ahead of Patrick Lewis. It should be noted that this was only the third of nine OTAs that was open to the media. It’s entirely possible that the first-team offensive line we’ve seen during the three open practices hasn’t been the same throughout OTAs, whether it’s some players working at different positions and/or changing spots on the depth chart.
• Defensive ends Michael Bennett and Chris Clemons were again absent, as they were for the previous two open OTAs (and, in Bennett’s case, likely the other six). As previously noted, Bennett’s absence isn’t the least bit surprising given his well-documented unhappiness with his contract. Attendance is mandatory at next week’s minicamp, which runs from Tuesday through Thursday, so any player who doesn’t show up would be subject to fines from the team. Defensive end Cliff Avril was also absent Thursday, though he is known to have attended previous OTAs.
• Rookie running back C.J. Prosise remained sidelined. He has been dealing with a hip-flexor issue. With Thomas Rawls still recovering from an ankle injury, Christine Michael got the majority of the work with the first team. Also sitting out due to apparent injuries were two more rookies, wide receiver Kenny Lawler and defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson.
• Russell Wilson continued to look extremely sharp. One of several impressive plays from Wilson was a touchdown pass he threaded through traffic up the middle to wide receiver Kasen Williams. The play of the day, though, belonged to another wide receiver Antwan Goodley, who hauled in a deep pass from Jake Heaps with one hand while falling out of bounds. An official ruled that Goodley didn’t get two feet in bounds, but it was nonetheless a magnificent catch even though it technically wasn’t one.