Pete Carroll excited about Seahawks’ run game with new additions

Head coach Pete Carroll joined 710 ESPN Seattle’s John Clayton to talk about a few of Seattle’s newest additions in free agency.

“I think the tone is really right on point,” Carroll said of the offseason acquisitions. “I’m really excited about it. This is a big year for us, as it is every year. Always a year filled with challenges in so many different ways … it always seems like that, maybe a little bit more this year than others. But this is what I’m hoping is going to generate a great return from this offseason of energy and juice and the kind of mentality we need to play great football again.”

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Carroll is happy with the returns Seattle has seen so far in free agency. Two players – tight end Ed Dickson and guard D.J. Fluker – can have a more immediate impact on Seattle’s run game.

“It’s exactly where we needed to get help,” Carroll said. “Ed is a good all-around blocker, but he’s a downfield catcher as well. He’s a really good athlete; I’ve known him since he was a high school kid. I’m really fired up to get him to fit in. He’s kind of been overshadowed with (Greg) Olsen there at the Panthers, but he’s always been a productive football player and really good all-around ball player.

“Fluker is physical and tough and as big and strong as you can get, with a great attitude as well. Background and history with (new Seahawks offensive line coach) Mike Solari, playing with him last year (with the Giants) will help us continuity-wise and help us transition. So really good additions. Of course, can’t forget Duane Brown feels like just a prize to us that he’s coming back to us. I almost have to pinch myself that he’s on our team. Last year it happened in the middle of everything, but now that he’s back and can lead and direct and really grow with us, it’s a great addition. And I’ve said this, for the first time in years we feel like there’s some continuity on our offensive line.”

Here are a few more notes:

• On the role wide receiver Jaron Brown can play on this offense: “Because he’s bigger than the guys we have, he will fit in as a blocker. He’ll be able to do a lot of stuff over the middle and inside that you love to see a guy do. He’s got a great toughness about him, makes some tough catches in traffic. But he’s also a (special) teams guy, so he’s got that mentality, as you guys get to know him you’re going to see he’s got a real grit about him that we like. He fits just perfectly with the makeup of our guys.”

• On re-signing safety Bradley McDougald: “It was hugely important to us. We had to get Bradley back. His continuity that he brings, his unique coverage ability, he’s one of the best coverage safeties in the NFL, showed up last year and we’re going to fit him in all kind of situations. Plus he’s a good leader and he’s a good continuity guy on special teams as well.”

• On the running back group: “We’re finally healthy. To have Chris and to have C.J. ready to go, I was really fired up about JD McKissic last year… (and) then Mike Davis has the most solid year of anybody. So I think by far it’s the best we’ve been, if we can keep these guys healthy we’re fine. Maybe we add to that in the draft as well. But right now, knowing all those guys are 100 percent and ready to go is a big plus for us.”

Listen to Pete Carroll’s entire interview with John Clayton.

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