JOHN CLAYTON

Clayton: Observations from Seahawks’ OTAs

May 25, 2018, 1:02 PM | Updated: 1:19 pm

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Seahawks QB Russell Wilson spoke with reporters after OTAs Thursday. (MyNorthwest.com)

(MyNorthwest.com)

Doug Baldwin was right.

Seahawks practice was quieter. In the first OTA open to the media, it was quite noticable how different Seahawks practice was without Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, Michael Bennett, Cliff Avril and others. The practice was competitive but not as loud.

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Here are a few observations from Thursday’s OTA.

Russell Wilson looked great. He ran around making play after play. That’s no different than last year or the previous season, but he was in complete control of the offense and he had offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer in his ear making sure he ran what was called.

• The competition at running back looks even better. Chris Carson looks quicker than last season. C.J. Prosise’s work on his body does show improvement. I’m just wondering if the Seahawks would keep five running backs this year knowing they can have J.D. McKissic or Prosise help out at wide receiver. That would allow the Seahawks to keep five receivers.

Jaron Brown, signed from the Arizona Cardinals, looks as though he could be a decent deep threat. He lined up at split end and showed good speed downfield. That will be an interesting battle against Amara Darboh for the No. 3 receiver job.

• I get the feeling Jordan Roos should make the team as a backup guard. He’s a solid blocker who should fit well into Mike Solari’s blocking scheme because he’s physical. He was running first team right guard Thursday with D.J. Fluker wearing a bulking knee brace for a recent knee injury.

• The Seahawks looked particularly thin at defensive end with Frank Clark skipping the voluntary workout and Dion Jordan getting the day off Thursday for a minor injury. Already down Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett, the Seahawks used Branden Jackson and Jacob Martin on the first team at defensive end.

Barkevious Mingo looked quick rushing from the strong side linebacker position. He is expected to start at linebacker and help out on the pass rush at defensive end.

• No surprise, but you have to be impressed with seventh-round pick Alex McGough. He was one of the stars of the rookie camp. He looked good with the veterans. He threw completions into tight windows and showed creative pitchouts when he gets pressured.

Bradley McDougald looks very comfortable with his role at safety. He is the starting strong safety but he asked to get some work at free safety just in case something happens with Earl Thomas. McDougald has been in contact with Thomas, who told him he would back with the team at the appropriate time. Pete Carroll thinks that could be for the June minicamp.

Marcus Johnson is indeed a fast option at wide receiver. He worked a little out of the slot and can run well.

• What will be interesting is to watch which players emerge as leaders. This is clearly Russell Wilson’s team on offense and Bobby Wagner’s and K.J. Wright’s on defense. McDougald sounds as though he’s ready to step up. Baldwin is clearly a leader. Justin Britt and Duane Brown will be the leaders along the offensive line.

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