Brian was unable to attend Seahawks practice on Friday, but staff writers Evan Hill and C.J. Tumbarello were there and shared their observations below. Enjoy!
Here’s some of my (Evan) training camp notes from Friday’s practice:
- The RB group looks to be a fierce competition throughout the preseason. Both Eddie Lacy and Alex Collins have trimmed down, increasing their explosiveness. In a pads on scrimmage, Lacy had multiple runs that demonstrated his quicker feet, running over several defenders.
- Arguable the biggest surprise out of the RB position group so far has been Chris Carson, Seattle’s 7th round pick out of the 2017 draft. Carson has had multiple long touchdown runs. A couple things I’ve noticed about Carson: his balance and his motor. When defenders crash into him, somehow his legs just keep churning. He also has incredible balance, extending run plays far after they should have ended. Continue down this rate and Chris might beat Collins for the #4 RB spot.
- Boykin looked slow and off in his reads. He threw a lot of balls behind his receivers, and generally seemed pretty indecisive against the 2nd and 3rd string defenders.
- Blair Walsh went for 6/6 — good news for the All-Pro attempting to recover his career.
- Quill (Shaquill Griffin) had the play of the day, as he beautifully twisted his body to break up a pass from Russell to Prich in the end zone. He was also running with the first team defenders. I was incredibly impressed with his play.
- Amara Darboh continues to impress. He had one really nice back shoulder grab against Quill.
- Earl picked off Russell.
- With Germain Ifedi on the sidelines, Pocic started at RT. He appeared competent in his pass protection and provided Russell with some good time to operate the pocket.
Tyler Lockett also returned from the PUP list. He appeared to be close to a full go, as he was running some routes and fielding punt returns. CJ Tumbarello had this to say:
“If we had a game tomorrow, I’d play in it.” If I told you Tyler Lockett said that eight months after a broken tibia and fibula in his right leg during a Week 16 match-up against the Arizona Cardinals in 2016, would you believe me? These words were said by Lockett five days into training camp. Yes! Tyler Lockett is officially off the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list and reported to camp for the first time in 2017. He had a helmet and pads on and everything. Catching footballs, running routes. I promise. Ask somebody! This is huge for the Seahawks as it sounds like Lockett could be ready to start the season.
Going into the playoffs in 2016 without Lockett had its advantages for opponents. His presence was markedly missed and it had damaging effects for what I consider an already versatile offense. Who knows how the playoffs would’ve shook if guys like Lockett and C.J. Prosise were suited up. Thinking about that will only keep you from the here and now though. It’s evident how important Lockett is to this uprising offense. The Seahawks drafted him to specialize in the return game and learned quickly they have another Percy Harvin with a side of Golden Tate, but with a lot of humbleness sprinkled on top of it. His route running, separation, proficiency with double moves, speed and competitive nature can’t be replaced.
So before jumping to conclusions or using the phrase “slump” or “bust”, don’t throw in the white towel on Tyler Lockett in 2017 or ever for that matter. Get to know his personality and his mentality because it’ll take more than a broken leg to keep him from playing in a game. Tyler once said,
“I’m not going to stop fighting. I’m not going to [quit]. Like I said, I’ve got to be in a coffin in order not to come back because I can play with anything that I have, regardless of what it is. That’s just how it is for me.” Lockett uses a phrase, “Where I’m going, fear can’t come.” That positivity is just an example of why he will continue to overcome whatever negativity may cross his path. There’s evidence of that.
Lockett has been on the long road to resilience and with resilience, comes no fear.