BRADY HENDERSON

Frank Clark ejected from Seahawks practice after punching Germain Ifedi

Aug 3, 2017, 3:07 PM | Updated: 4:47 pm

RENTON – Commenting on the fight that broke out at Seahawks practice Thursday, when Frank Clark threw a punch that injured Germain Ifedi, Michael Bennett talked about a line being crossed and an apology being owed.

When Bennett is the voice of reason about a fight in practice, you know things really got out of hand.

That happened during the one-on-one pass-rush drill Thursday, in the middle of the team’s fourth practice of training camp. It started with Rodney Coe chucking Will Pericak over a water cooler and it ended with Clark throwing a flying punch at a helmetless Ifedi. Clark was promptly ejected and got an escort off the field from a defensive coach while trainers looked at Ifedi’s face, which appeared to be bleeding. He didn’t return to practice either.

Carroll provides update on Malik McDowell’s status

Coach Pete Carroll wasn’t happy about it.

“Disappointed we had a couple guys get after it today,” he said. “There is no room for fighting in football. It is not part of this game. It’s not supposed to be part of this game and we frown upon that very heavily. So real disappointed that that happened today. We have to learn and get better and do right.”

Ifedi stayed down for a minute after taking the punch from Clark.

“Don’t know,” Carroll said when asked how Ifedi was doing, seemingly balking at the question initially. “He’s alright.”

Things had gotten testy between the two on consecutive plays earlier in practice, with Ifedi getting yanked from a team drill after shoving Clark. Their fight in the pass-rush drill came after backups Coe and Pericak went at it. Those two remained engaged for so long during their turn in the drill that they made their way towards a water cooler near where other players were lining up. Coe tossed Pericak aside, causing him to crash over the cooler. As players from both sides were rushing in, an unidentified offensive lineman leveled Coe.

Both sides converged in a massive scrum, and after things seemed to begin to calm down, Clark threw a punch at Ifedi.

Tempers regularly flare at training camp. It’s not as often that punches are thrown and landed.

“Can’t do that. You can’t do it at all,” Carroll said. “I know it’s happening all around the league, it happens everywhere in ball all the time, but it’s not OK and it shouldn’t be a part of it. You can’t do it in a game; you get ejected, just what you saw happen. Somebody could get hurt, which you saw happen. We’ve taken a big stance against it. Really disappointed it happened on Day 4 here.”

You could have seen this coming.

Clark and offensive lineman Luke Joeckel briefly went at it on Tuesday, which, probably not coincidentally, was the first day that shoulder pads and contact were allowed. And with the offensive and defensive linemen now squaring off every day in the always-contentious pass-rush drill, a fight seemed inevitable. It wasn’t so much a question of if or even when it would happen, just who it would involve.

“Scuffles happen in camp,” Bennett said. “We’ve built up so much testosterone all camp and we want to go out here and battle every single time, and sometimes you go a little overboard. I think you have to find that line. I think we may have crossed that line today. But we can talk about it and figure it out where we stand upon that line again.”

Bennett said Clark should apologize to Ifedi.

“It’s about apologizing and being vulnerable,” he said. “Sometimes in life you don’t want to be vulnerable because it doesn’t show that you are a man, but in this case it’s important to be vulnerable and let him know that you made a mistake and let him know that you’ll never cross that line again.”

The pass-rush drill has been where tempers have most often flared over the last few Seahawks training camps. Two years ago it was Clark and guard Mark Glowinski who went at it. Last year, Bennett fought repeatedly with Ifedi and also with Bradley Sowell. After the fight with Sowell, the two walked off the field side by side, talking amicably. Sowell said they later sat together at lunch.

“Fighting to the point where you’re hurting each other, that’s the line I think we draw,” Bennett said Thursday. “I think the line is to respect your teammates and to know that at the end of the day this is practice, this is not a game. At the end of the day, everything that we do is really a game. We don’t want to hurt anybody to the point where they have injuries when they retire.”

Bennett was asked if it’s his job as a veteran to establish that line with younger players.

“Yeah, you have to set that tone, but I’m just as guilty as the next person,” he said. “If I get too heated, I jump in there, too. So I make mistakes just like any other player, but it’s about learning from your mistakes and trying to come in and rebuild that camaraderie again after something like that happens.”

Brady Henderson

Rees Odhiambo, a 2016 third-round pick, will compete with Matt Tobin to start at left tackle. (AP)...

Brady Henderson

Tom Cable: Rees Odhiambo, Matt Tobin are Seahawks’ preferred LT options

Tom Cable brought a bit of clarity to the Seahawks' plans at left tackle in the wake of George Fant's season-ending knee injury, saying Tuesday that Rees Odhiambo and newcomer Matt Tobin are the top two options.

7 years ago

Left tackle George Fant suffered an injury in the first half of Friday's preseason game. (AP)...

Brady Henderson

Seahawks injury updates: George Fant set for surgery, K.J. Wright returns

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Monday that left tackle George Fant is expected to be back by next season from the knee injury that will sideline him in 2017.

7 years ago

Matt Tobin, 27, started 21 games over seasons with the Eagles. (AP)...

Brady Henderson

Seahawks acquire OL Matt Tobin in trade with Eagles

The Seahawks have acquired offensive tackle Matt Tobin in a trade with the Eagles, making another move to shore up their offensive line after losing left tackle George Fant for the season.

7 years ago

Luke Joeckel played left tackle for his first three NFL seasons. (AP)...

Brady Henderson

Luke Joeckel? Rees Odhiambo? A look at the Seahawks’ LT options with George Fant out for the season

The Seahawks need a new plan at left tackle with George Fant out for the season. Moving Luke Joeckel there is one option, writes Brady Henderson.

7 years ago

Michael Bennett on Justin Britt standing by his side during the national anthem Friday night: “I ...

Brady Henderson

Justin Britt stands by Michael Bennett during national anthem: ‘A very emotional moment’

Seahawks center Justin Britt showed his support for teammate Michael Bennett Friday night, standing by him as Bennett remained seated during the national anthem.

7 years ago

Left tackle George Fant suffered an injury in the first half of Friday's preseason game. (AP)...

Brady Henderson

Seahawks’ George Fant needs ACL surgery, likely out for season

The Seahawks' offensive line was dealt a massive blow with left tackle George Fant suffering a knee injury Friday night that will likely keep him out all season.

7 years ago

Frank Clark ejected from Seahawks practice after punching Germain Ifedi