Early Training Camp - Part 1

So glad to see training finally start. It's such a tease that the NFL has a steady stream of news from free agency until June minicamps, then goes dark for about a month before training camps start. That's why the Favre-Packers story got blown up like it did - it expanded to fill the empty vacuum that was NFL news.

The best way to follow training camp are the blogs of reporters that attend the camp. I'm always searching for more, but here's what I follow:

• Seahawks Insider - Tacoma News Tribune (Frank Hughes, occasionally Dave Boling)
• Seahawks Blog - Seattle Times (Danny O'Neil)
• Talkin' Hawks - Seattle P.I. (Clare Farnsworth)
• NFC West - ESPN.com (Mike Sando)

There's a good amount of repetition when you read all of them, but that's not a bad thing - if two or three notice a player being exceptional (good or bad) they all reinforce each others opinion. (Of course, such shared opinions could just be due to conversations they have during and after practices...). Plus, each has unique anecdotes that make reading all worthwhile.

So, here are some observations taken from others' observations:

My greatest concern for the season is the potential for injury on the offensive line. Spencer's status is questionable at best, and Walter Jones is getting old. Chris Gray, Spencer's backup, is already old. The other standard backup is Pork Chop Womack, and he can't stay healthy. An offensive line could completely derail the potential of this season (see Rams, 2007).

Sando: Line coach Mike Solari and assistant line coach Mike DeBord stood out as difference makers during my two days at training camp. They appear thorough and efficient. If Solari is running a drill that requires only five linemen, DeBord works with the other linemen in another drill off to the side.
A defensive player told me he already sees signs of a more cohesive offensive line. He notices linemen getting to the linebackers and defensive backs more effectively. Two of Seattle's most important free-agent additions might be coaches.

More Sando: The Seahawks appear to be developing young offensive linemen more effectively with Mike Solari and Mike DeBord coaching the line. Reminder: Keep an eye on Mansfield Wrotto and Kyle Williams in the exhibition games.

Farnsworth: Steve Vallos continues to get some work at center. In fact, with Chris Spencer STILL out, last year's seventh-round pick was even spelling Chris Gray with the No. 1 line this morning. Vallos is in the hunt for a spot on the 53-man roster.
As for Mansfield Wrotto, I wrote about last year's fourth-round pick during the final minicamp. After showing next to nothing while working on the practice squad last season, Wrotto has looked more mobile and athletic this year. Unless something strange happens, he will be one the backups.

Boling: The offensive line coaching duo of Mike Solari and Mike DeBord will be the topic for a column soon, so I'm not going to use all my material, but the energy and coaching they bring should have a big impact.

I was very excited about the potential for our starters under the tutelage of Solari and DeBord. It never occurred to me that they would play a role in developing the younger linemen as well. I will definitely be watching lineplay in the preseason games.

Back during the OTAs Mike Holmgren hinted that the second corner spot would be up for grabs. When I first heard that, I assumed he meant Josh Wilson would be the main challenger. But apparently Kevin Hobbs is the corner that's made the jump.

Sando: Signed from Auburn in 2006, Hobbs flashed surprisingly impressive natural ability for a player undrafted out of college. The Seahawks signed him to the active roster late last season as Hobbs improved under new secondary coach Jim Mora. The trend has continued this offseason, creating a competitive situation. Hobbs holds a considerable size advantage over Jennings, but he's still the underdog in this race.

Williams: probably a long shot to make the opening day roster, Auburn product Kevin Hobbs looked good at cornerback. At 6-0, 188 pounds, Hobbs is a big corner who appears to have the lateral quickness to cover receivers on an island, and might push guys in front of him like Josh Wilson and Jordan Babineaux.

What happened to Josh Wilson? I didn't hear much from him last year, partly due to injury, but he was supposed to be the one to challenge Jennings, what with his amazing speed. Holmgren has said before that you can never have too many defensive backs, so if Hobbs has developed into serious NFL-caliber corner (and probably a cheap one, given he was an undrafted free agent last year), that can only be good. Wilson was a second round pick though. Step it up, big boy.

Speaking of undrafted free agents and recent Auburn grads, my favorite competition of the preseason will be among the young wide receivers. I have a particular affinity for Logan Payne, probably because I heard promising things about him last training camp but figured he'd get cut, then he somehow managed his way onto the practice squad and, ultimately, onto the active roster. But really, all I want is for one to step out of the potential phase and into the production phase. I want to see another D.J. Hackett - someone who just steps up and makes big plays.

Farnsworth: The leader among "the young guys" for that third spot is Courtney Taylor. He has been working in the No. 1 group with Burleson and Engram... (C)oach Mike Holmgren had to admonish Obomanu a couple of times on Friday for breaking off his route too quickly and then not being in the huddle when his grouping was up.
Logan Payne continues to not only catch just about everything thrown his way, he gets open. Payne doesn't have the speed to be a vertical threat, but he does have the savvy and sense to work the middle of the field from the slot – as Engram has done for all these years and all those receptions.

Sando: The young receivers have yet to separate. Ben Obomanu made what I thought was the most impressive catch of the day for a 25-yard gain near the left sideline. None of the receivers appear to be faltering yet, but it's early.

Williams: Ben Obamanu, Courtney Taylor, Logan Payne, Joel Filani and Jordan Kent all looked good catching the ball, and no one distinguished themselves during the first practice... Kent, who hasn’t played receiver for very long, now looks a lot smoother at the position, and not like an athlete trying to play receiver.

Stay tuned, I guess.

This entry is getting long, so I'll stop it here. I'll finish up later with thoughts on the running backs.