Some observations from the first day of camp (keep in mind this is the first day, no pads and guys are full of energy)
-It’s not hard to see why Aldon Smith keeps getting chances. Even standing with world-class athletes he stands out. Freaky size and length. Fingertips down to his knees practically. Smith had a play with fantastic burst and disrupted Etling.
-It looks like the Seahawks are trying some kind of LEO/EDGE hybrid with Smith and Taylor. Two point stance and partially setting the edge, partially rushing. The big difference from my eyes is the player didn’t follow the offense to the strong side, just stayed on the right side of the defense and played his role depending on what was lined up on his side. That’s not something to carve in stone, just what I saw out of the very first scrimmage.
-Taylor was 240ish in rookie camp and said he wanted to get up to 260’s for training camp. I could be wrong but he doesn’t look 260’s.
-Reed and Penny took punts – Penny stayed after practice to take some punts.
-DJ Dallas showed nice bursts.
-Marquise Blair looks fantastic. From my untrained eye no limitations on movement or change of direction. Got work in at strong safety – something about the starter not participating in practice (cough).
-The DB group are like Russian nesting dolls. From gangly trees like Flowers and Witherspoon at 6’3″-6’4″ down to squat powerfuls Diggs, Reed and Brown at 5’9″-5’10” range. Reed can jump out of the gym. They did a ‘run to a spot and high point the ball’ drill and he went up and got ball I thought ‘no way’ when it came out of the coach’s hand.
-Jordyn Brooks looks great. Fast, rangy, a hunter-killer type. Cody Barton and BBK look like Cody Barton and BBK.
-Speaking of those guys, Cody and BBK played WILL/MIKE in scrimmage. No use of Barton at a SAM type backer that I saw.
-Carson got around the edge and up the sideline and Mone took off running after him 10+ yards downfield. 360lbs moving! PC raced over to give Mone an attaboy for the effort.
-Kerry Hyder looks ridiculous wearing #51. Just saying.
-Gerald Everett doesn’t look like a TE but a big WR. The QBs found him a couple times in scrimmage.
-Dickson on the side field practicing with Ott and Myers. Routinely popping 60 yards with ease.
-Colby Parkinson looks ripped. On one play though he blew a block. A first-year Jimmy Graham “oh this guy right in front of me, I’m supposed to block him?” gem.
Atmosphere:
-Bald eagles flying overhead and Lake Washington in the background. Spectacular.
-Crowd definitely not as pumped as usual. I think pandemic fatigue is real.
-Shocked – spotted nearly as many DK jerseys in the crowd as RW jerseys. First time in ages RW hasn’t been the clear #1 fan jersey.
-Seahawks/VMAC have a top notch setup for fans. A bus system that works like clockwork, mister fans set up to cool off, water and sunscreen dispensers that are touchless, Starbucks tents with ice tea and coffee with a ‘suggested donation’ of $2, interns handing out schedule magnets and popsicles, Blue Thunder kicking up the music, etc. Great experience.
