Seahawks training camp day 6 observations

Devon Witherspoon, center competition, and a surprise visit on 8/1/2023: Seaside Joe 1613

Olu Oluwatimi got his turn with the starters on Tuesday, the second day of practice in pads and so the rookie’s first opportunity to bang “sheet metal against sheet metal” (note: they don’t wear sheet metal) after Evan Brown went up on Monday. If we read too much into order, then we’d say that Brown is in the lead because he started day 1 of camp with the starters too.

The Athletic’s Michael Shawn-Dugar posted a thread of OL vs DL competitions on X. Boye Mafe seems to be continuing the theme of being a “training camp standout” through pads week.

Speaking of pads, Will Dissly had them on today, so it seems like the Seahawks tight end is going to be just fine. Here are the rest of updates from Tuesday’s sixth training camp practice.

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Vi Jones fills in for Devin Bush

It seems Devin Bush either got the day off or needed a break and so we get our first glimpe of the depth: Vi Jones is next up after Bobby Wagner and Bush. The 2022 undrafted free agent has moved around some in his first year after playing outside is now back inside. Jones has been one of the few guys on the roster besides the obvious names to get consistently praised as a pleasant surprise in the offseason.

I can’t say if that means he’s good enough to start, but Jones has rare athleticism for the position and certainly “speed” is the name of the game for modern linebackers. Specifically, horizontal speed. Does Jones have that?

Another day-off/injury note: G Anthony Bradford didn’t practice.

Julian Love picks off Geno Smith

Another day with highs and lows for Geno, but it seems like ultimately he came out with more wins than losses. One of his miscues resulted in an interception for Julian Love, which is great news for the defense.

Both Jamal Adams and Riq Woolen remain on PUP. I don’t expect an update there this week.

Geno’s revenge

With Noah Fant missing the start of camp and Dissly missing Monday, it’s a great opportunity for Colby Parkinson to prove himself as a tight end who deserves more playing time. As a 2024 free agent, Parkinson knows well that a strong season could be worth tens of millions of dollars next year.

As good as Tyler Lockett has been in his career already, I wonder if he could have his best season yet now that he’s got Jaxon Smith-Njigba as an added distraction for defenses.

Devon Witherspoon adjusting

Here’s Spoon tracking Dee Eskridge for a pass breakup.

Getting more criticism than the average player during his first couple of practices, Devon Witherspoon had the bounceback practice that we all wanted: Basically every reporter at camp on Tuesday highlighted that he was one of the best players out there.

It seems like he’s going to have a hard time being more than CB4 when the season begins, but who knows how much will change between now and then.

Coby Bryant at Safety

The other day, Pete Carroll touched so briefly on the fact that they were giving Coby Bryant reps at safety that I don’t think anyone covered it. Not even me! But the depth at cornerback seems to be so good now that Seattle wants to find out if Bryant’s versatile enough to play another role. It could also be that the Seahawks really want Witherspoon to start in the nickel.

Richard Sherman visits

Clint Hurtt: “Nobody thinks Seattle can play”

Hurtt had a post-practice press conference and talked about stopping the run, which “we couldn’t do to save our lives.” He noted that the Seahawks were seventh in sacks but couldn’t stop the run, so if Seattle can stop the run then a byproduct of that will be even more sack opportunities.

Aaron Rodgers calls Al Woods, Quinton Jefferson the funniest guys on the Jets

VIDEO HERE

We know that the Seahawks won’t miss the team’s 2022 run defense. But how much do they miss some of the missing personalities in the locker room? Maybe not at all! But Rodgers enjoys having them in New York apparently.

In related news, Jefferson said that Sauce Gardner reminds him of Richard Sherman, but better.

Seahawks don’t practice on Wednesday, then return Thursday, then have the mock game Friday.