And quite fittingly, for me at least, it's gray and comfortable outside. That hasn't always been the case this summer in NYC, where it's been usually as humid as the 7th layer of Hell itself. I'm looking at it like a sign. With Training Camp opening for our beloved Seattle Seahawks in less than 25 minutes, the sense of optimism is everywhere in Hawkville. By the way, if such a mythical place ever existed, as Clare Farnsworth often seems to allude to with his blog posts, I'd definitely move there and never look back, as I'm sure you would too if you're reading this now. And if you're reading this now you're definitely feeling like this is the Hawks year and I'm here to tell you that you're definitely right about that.
Like I said, optimism is abound (so much so that I even decided to "ring in" Training Camp this morning by going on a run. If you know me, you know that that's pretty serious) heading into Camp and it's not difficult to understand why. The Seahawks are coming off a season in which they improved by 4 wins, won a road playoff game, and came within a failed defensive stop of making it to the NFC Championship Game. They've got a Franchise QB that looks primed to avoid the much overrated "sophomore slump", a young defense loaded with talent that looks to be even more aggressive and opportunistic, and a running game that coupled with it's skill-position guys should give opposing defensive coordinators nightmares. That's not even getting into specifics like the additions of Percy Harvin, Michael Bennett, and Cliff Avril or like the arrival of new Defensive Coordinator Dan Quinn.
However, Super Bowl Champions are not crowned in late July. No, instead they are bread in late July. It's got to be all business this season. And by the sounds of it, it is. Both Bruce Irvin AND Earl Thomas have shaved their dreads heading into Training Camp. As someone with long hair I can attest that that's a pretty big deal. I wouldn't be a diehard if I didn't tell you that, yeah, it's got me thinking whether or not I want to part ways with my locks for the cause. Well, the start of the march towards eternal greatness begins today in Renton, Washington at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center and here's some of the things to keep an eye on during this year's version of "Battle Royal."
Is Winston Guy going to make this team?
Right now, I just can't see it happening. Seeing him get clowned by the rest of the DB's, especially Brandon Browner, on a regular basis on the Real Rob Report hasn't inspired much confidence in me for the guy. No lousy pun intended but that's what he is to me, just a guy. I feel that Jeron Johnson has shown much more and has more of that Jordan Babineaux quality to him, where he just always seems to be around to make a play. Winston Guy on the other hand, gives me that Michael Boulware feel. I love the tools but I don't know if it's ever going to come together. It's still extremely early in his development though, so we've got to give him this camp to try and prove that he belongs. If not, I can see him getting cut and hopefully stashed on the Practice Squad. It'd be interesting to see what kind of attention he would garner around the league.
Is Stephen Williams really that good?
We heard about how stoked John Schneider was to finally get Stephen Williams. His "we got him" quote with regards to the subject has surely made all of the usual internet rounds by now. So here's the question. Is he really all that good, and does he make this team? First off, we've yet to know whether or not the Hawks will go with 6 WR's this season. If they do, it's fairly safe to assume that the pecking order is Harvin, Rice, Tate, Baldwin, and then a bunch of question marks to fight it out for the final 2 spots. Stephen Williams is one of those question marks. Guys like Phil Bates and Jermaine Kearse are too. The Hawks have seen what they have in Bates and Kearse. Now Williams gets to prove to the team's brass that their assessment of him was 100% correct and that he can contribute for this football team this season and in the future. I'd love it if Williams and super sleeper Justin Veltung made the team, and made an impact in 2013!
Sweezy or Moffitt? THAT is the question.
It's that time of year again! Sweezy or Moffitt? Who do you prefer at Right Guard? It seems like Tom Cable and Co. have serious love for J.R. Sweezy and his potential. After all, this is only his second season playing Guard, EVER. That's pretty remarkable and fairly easy to lose sight of considering how loaded with young talent the Hawks are and how high expectations for this season are. However, if J.R. Sweezy were playing for some of those Seahawks teams of the 90's, he would be one of the finest young prospects on the team. Moffitt, on the other hand, gets far too much hate from some 12's and is really not as bad as some people think. He's a solid player who can play both guard spots, as well as backup at center, so he has definite value. Unfortunately for the Big Moff, Ryan Seymour brings similar versatility to the table as well, and Guard is also his natural position. Plus, he can play the tackle positions too. Moffitt is going to have to win the job outright in Camp or else he runs the risk of not being on the team for this magical run that's about to go down. I'm pulling for the guy to make it. I like his style.
Turbin or Michael? Who backs up The Beast?
I loves me some Turbinator AKA the Hulk but I've got to wonder whether or not his job as the #2 is etched in stone. He better be on watch because if Christine Michael brings the same things to the table that he brought at Texas A&M, the Hawks will be looking to get him his share of touches. Turbin always impressed me last season, save for the first 49ers game, and I see him as a player that could keep on growing. He might never be Beast Mode 2.0, but that's okay, not many can be. He's got his own unique skill set that he brings to the table and has a smooth pair of hands out of the backfield as a receiver. Michael, on the other hand, has that crazy video-game-like ability. If he comes in to camp ready to be consistent and learn the playbook, that should be a pretty awesome battle for the #2 man behind Marshawn. Either way, I think all 3 backs will get a fair share of touches since I think the Hawks will have early, large leads in a bunch of the games they play this season. There were will be tons of garbage time to pad their stats
Who on the defense takes it to the next level?
I'm waiting for someone on the D to just take their game to an entirely new level. I'm not talking about guys like Sherm, Clem, or ET, those guys are fairly well established. I'm talking about guys like Malcolm Smith, Bruce Irvin, Jaye Howard, etc. I'm including Bruce because with the 4 game suspension he will probably be at a bit of a disadvantage this season. Still, I expect him to have a great year in a "Clay Matthews West" sort of role. Just let him loose on the QB and let him wreak havoc all day. Other guys that I'm keeping an eye on are Korey Toomer (my pick to break out on D), Winston Guy (big season for him), and Allen Bradford.
Do Any of the UDFA's make the team?
The UDFA that I've got my eye on is LB John Lotulelei from UNLV. Sure, it's purely superficial since he's the only Hawk with non-dreaded long hair, like me, on the team. But non-superficially, he also received the largest signing bonus of any of the UDFA's, which has to count for something. He doesn't have the straight line speed that the Hawks usually look for at LB, but he's got the type of feel for the game and hard hitting ability that Ken Norton's gotta love. Craig Wilkins (LB, Old Dominion), a thumper in the middle from a small-school and Kenneth Boatright (DE, Southern Illinois), who also fits the small school billing, are the two other UDFA's that I think stand a chance to make this squad, or at least the Practice Squad, if they play lights out football. Remember though, even if they do, they still might not make it. Cordarro Law is a perfect example of a UDFA who came in and did everything right and just couldn't stick. This is a very tough team to make, especially as a UDFA.
Which rookies force us to adjust our expectations for them?
That's both good and bad, and it's what I'm looking forward to most in Camp this year. Which of the youngin's is going to just blow us away and which one is going to make us shake our heads? Guys like Jordan Hill, Jesse Williams, and Luke Willson have a chance to really shine during these practices. Something tells me that Jordan Hill is going to be a lot better than people gave him credit for in college. Williams and Willson are obvious choices because of their status in college (Williams) and their eye popping physical numbers (Willson). Guys that might disappoint in practice? Chris Harper seems like the type of guy who you have to judge on the field when the games actually count and Tharold Simon appears to be a guy who might take some time to develop. Still, you just never know who might burst onto the scene when it comes to Seahawks draft picks.
Those are just a few of the things that'll be going down at Training Camp this season. I'll be heading out to Seattle on August 5th to check out Camp on the 6th and I can't wait! It just so happens that that day is a schedule signing day for the team so it should be a pretty awesome experience. I've never been to Seahawks Training Camp, what better year?
The journey to the top of the mountain (Kilimanjaro? Tanzania?) starts today. One thing's for sure, this is probably going to be the longest Training Camp in Seahawks history!
GO Hawks!!!
