5 Things to Watch for in Training Camp

Welcome to Camp Carroll 3.0. Here are a few things I am interested in this summer:

1) Who will play quarterback this season? This one is obvious but also the most important. If the team is going to take another step forward this year, better QB play is essential–especially in the last 4 minutes of each half.

2) The competition at receiver. Consistent and improved play for the WRs is also important for overall offensive growth. Yes the Seahawks want to be a running offense, but this is a passing league, so a running game alone is not enough. Who will emerge across from Sidney Rice? Will Rice's shoulders hold up? Will the Hawks actually utilize one or bath of their tight ends in the passing game? Will Doug Baldwin have a sophomore slump? Will Golden Tate finally figure it out? Can Ricardo Lockette demonstrate the tools to play regularly?

3) Will the O–line contine to develop? This unit made huge strides from game 1 to game 16 last year. Will the contine to get better? Will Moffitt be ready to go at RG? Can Okung stay healthy? Who will start at LG...Duece Lutui, McQuistan, or someone else? Will Carpenter play this year? And Where?

4) Who replaces the Heater? Can Bobby Wagner step right in at Mike? Will KJ Wright end up switching to the middle? What about Barrett Ruud, does he have anything left in the tank? Will the Hawks play more 5-2 this year, and if so, who will be the two LBs on the field?

5) Who will be the biggest surprise to make the team? Every year someone off the street proves that they should have been drafted. Will the Hawks be able to find this year's Doug Baldwin or Brandon Browner? Has the team gotten deeper so that rookies will make less of an impact?

Why the Offense Should Improve

"Hi, I'm Larry; this is my brother Darrell,
and this is my other brother Darrell."

2012 will be the first year in 4, that the team will not be learning a new system and new terminology in training camp. The parade of Offensive Coordinators has taken its toll in Seattle as offenses need confidence and continuity. Having to learn a new system every year has not helped a young team. Here is the list of Coordinators:


2008—Gil Haskell
2009—Greg Knapp
2010—Jeremy Bates
2011—Darrell Bevell
2012—Darrell Bevell


Hopefully the Hawks will be able to hit the ground running this week by building upon what they accomplished last year—instead of having to start from square one.

And So It Begins

Season tickets arrived today, so let's get this thing started!

 Hawk And Roll!

Lovin' The CBA

This might be a really geeky topic, but in a typical season under prior CBAs draft picks would be threatening lengthy hold outs as training camp approaches. Devoted fans like us would be pacing the halls waiting for news that our 4th round pick just signed his deal. Forget about our 1st rounder--as that deal is weeks away.

Fast forward to 2012 where all pick were signed before rookie camp. I feel my blood-pressure dropping. Not only were all rookie deals done, but Seattle has extended two key players who would have become free agents this winter.

The front office has put the Hawks in a position to become a winner by locking up the core of the team for multiple years. We as fans know that top players will be given new deals that do not break the bank. With some leadership under center, this should be a winning formula.

Schneider Totals his BMW

It's true. Big Mike Williams (BMW) was cut today by the Seahawks. I didn't think that he was likely to make the final roster, but I did think he would get the chance to prove himself in camp.

It is clear that Pete and John want young, fast players. BMW is a possession receiver who got little separation and used his height and width to make catches. The addition of Kellen Winslow hurt BMW's chances as he is a similar type of player (at a different position).

The Hawks need a speedy receiver across from Rice this year. Tate, Butler, Lockette and Durham should all be given chances to win the job. I omit Obomanu from the list as he is a known quantity and while he adds depth and can play special teams, he isn't a game changer by any means.

After BMW's release, there are still 12 receivers on the roster with 5 or 6 spots available in total. Assuming Rice, Baldwin and Tate are locks, that leaves 2 to 3 spots for 9 guys. It will be one of the more interesting positions to watch this August.

Simple Math

Lower prices = More people.
Mike Florio has a nice piece on fan retention:

The National Media Does Not Watch Seahawk Games

If there was ever a doubt that Seattle is Southern Alaska to the National Football media, this video is proof. It is clear that Michael Lombardi and Brian Baldinger have no clue. After our favorite local writer, Danny O'Neil spends a few minutes giving his learned opinion, these two shit-birds embarrass themselves with their lack of knowledge. 


For the record:

1. Drafting Tannehill with the #12, when we just signed Flynn, really?
2. Sidney Rice had shoulder surgery, not hip surgery
3. Mike Williams has not been fat for a few years, his ankle is the bigger issue
4. John Moffitt does not go by Josh
5. Brandon Browner made the pro-bowl last year and Richard Sherman could have if he played the entire year. With Walter Thurmond and Byron Maxwell, this could be one of the deeper positions on the team.

A pair of boobs.

A nicer pair of boobs

Seattle Not Awarded Compensatory Draft Picks

Because the Seahawks were buyers last summer during the free agency period, they were not awarded any extra draft picks in this April's Draft.


Some notable signings: WR Sidney Rice, OL Robert Gallery, QB Tarvaris Jackson, DL Alan Branch, DE Jimmy Wilkerson and TE Zach Miller.


15 teams gained extra picks. Here is the complete list.

March Mock Draft Tracker

I charted 25 mock drafts from the NFL's experts this week. Here are who they think the Hawks will select with the 12th overall pick:

• Melvin Ingram, LB - 24%
• Luke Kuechly, LB - 19%
• David DeCastro, G - 19%
• Nick Perry, DE - 19%
• Whitney Mercilus, DE - 14%
• Quinton Coples, DE - 5%

Of course, re-signing David Hawthorne would drastically change these predictions.

Sea Gal Public Service Announcement

Time to trade in the stripper pole for pom-poms?