Clayton: Final observations from Seahawks’ mandatory minicamp
Jun 15, 2018, 10:09 AM | Updated: 12:40 pm
Seahawks CB Shaquill Griffin has done well in his transition to the left side. (AP)
(AP)
Pete Carroll was naturally upbeat as minicamp ended and the Seahawks were freed to go on vacation until the start of training camp.
John Clayton chats with Seahawks DT Tom Johnson
He said he liked this offseason and was particularly happy with the way that the team practiced. Let’s breakdown some thoughts in review of the OTAs and the minicamp:
• Wide receiver David Moore is not only making a run at a roster spot, but he could be challenging for the No. 3 wide receiver position. Moore was a seventh-round pick last year. He has good size at 6-feet, 215 pounds. Doug Baldwin and Tyler Lockett are the starters. Amara Darboh and Jaron Brown can’t take anything for granted because of Moore. Damore’ea Stringfellow can’t be counted out either. He is also a big target who shows explosiveness running routes.
• Believe it or not, there is legitimate competition for both kicking spots. Sebastian Janikowski is the favorite to win the place-kicking job, but he has battling a hip injury that kept him out of a lot of practices. Jason Myers shows a powerful leg and I don’t think I saw him miss a field goal attempt in the six practices I attended.
• You would figure Michael Dickson is the favorite to win the punting job, but he is inexperienced as a holder. Plus, Jon Ryan, despite being 36 years old, is an excellent holder and is still a good punter. The fact that they haven’t cut Ryan shows there is legitimate competition.
• Even though Ed Dickson was signed at tight end for his blocking ability, he could be a factor in the passing game. He’s played behind Dennis Pitta in Baltimore and Greg Olsen in Carolina, and he has decent pass-catching skills. He caught 54 passes for the Ravens in 2011. He had a 14.6-yard average for the Panthers last year, catching 30 passes.
• Brian Schottenheimer’s offense fits Russell Wilson. The push to run the football more should help. Offensive line blocking will be better. Even though Schottenheimer was hired to bring one voice to the offense, Wilson says he has good freedom in the way he executes the plays.
• Shaquill Griffin looks natural having made the move to left cornerback. Griffin had a great rookie season at right corner. It appears he’s ready for the challenge of trying to replace Richard Sherman.
• The Seahawks are prepared to wait out the Earl Thomas holdout. They aren’t going to make him an offer until he returns to the team. Thomas indicates he’s not doing any team activities until he gets a new deal. In the meantime, Carroll will experiment with either Delano Hill or Tedric Thompson working with Bradley McDougald at safety.
• The Seahawks gave Doug Baldwin rest days this week, but it was interesting to watch him go to each offensive huddle to hear the play and help out some of the younger players after the play. Baldwin is showing good leadership.
• Alex McGough is getting every chance to win the backup quarterback job. To get him more snaps, he’s getting a lot of second team snaps. He’s an accurate quarterback with a strong arm.
• Barkevious Mingo is expected to be the starting strong side linebacker, but he’s going to compete against Marcus Smith. Mingo and Smith are expected to fill two roles: outside linebacker and pass-rushing defensive end.
• Chris Carson looks like the early starter at halfback, but Rashaad Penny continues to impress. C.J. Prosise looks good and has been healthy. J.D. McKissic is explosive. Mike Davis is solid.
