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5 Observations From Day 7 Of 2021 Seahawks Training Camp

Notes and observations from the seventh practice of Seahawks training camp.

Aug 06, 2021 at 05:16 PM

John Boyle

Seahawks.com Senior Reporter

Seattle Seahawks players took the field for practice Day 7 on August 6, 2021 at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center.

The Seahawks held a lighter, non-padded practice on Friday as they get closer to Sunday's mock game at Lumen Field. But even if there was less contact, there were still plenty of interesting things to see, which brings us to five observations from Friday's practice:

1. Russell Wilson is really good.

OK, OK, we obviously already knew that; the guy is an eight-time Pro-Bowler, after all. But every so often Wilson will make a play that serves as a good reminder that folks shouldn't take great quarterback play for granted. One such play occurred Friday when Wilson made a throw look routine despite it being anything but that. After rolling to his right, Wilson planted his right foot, then drove a pass that hit DK Metcalf in stride on the left sideline 30 or so yards down field as the receiver ran a crossing route. With Ahkello Witherspoon right on Metcalf's hip, the throw had to be not only accurate but thrown hard enough to get there both before Metcalf reached the sideline and before Witherspoon could make a play on it; simply put, it was a throw very few quarterbacks, even at this level, can make.

So yeah, there's your reminder that the Seahawks have it very good at quarterback.

2. Sack or touchdown?

During a red-zone drill, Wilson made a nice move to elude pressure, then hit Colby Parkinson while on the run for what was ruled a touchdown. But was it? Defensive players didn't think so, with Poona Ford arguing his case that the play should have been blown dead because he would have sacked Wilson were quarterbacks open to contact. Regardless of who was right, the play was both a good example of Ford's continued development as a pass rusher, as well as Wilson's mobility and ability to make plays happen on the run.

3. This looks to be a tight end-friendly offense.

During offseason workouts, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll raved about what he was seeing from a tight end group led by the trio of Will Dissly, Gerald Everett and Colby Parkinson, and little over a week into camp, it's looking more and more like those players should have a big role in Shane Waldron's offense.

That was never more evident than during a seven-on-seven session in which in a short time Wilson hit Dissly and Parkinson for nice gains, followed by Geno Smith finding Cam Sutton for a leaping touchdown grab, then later Wilson hitting Everett for a touchdown.

Obviously we won't know for sure what the offense will look like until the regular season, but as of now it seems like the Seahawks will get a lot more production out of their tight ends than they did a year ago.

4. Marquise Blair is still a playmaker.

Blair was one of the stars in camp last season, moving from safety to the nickel spot and having a standout camp that allowed him to beat out Ugo Amadi for that role. Blair unfortunately missed most of last season with a torn ACL, but in his return from that injury, he is showing that he again looks ready to be a big part of Seattle's defense. Blair's splash plays haven't come quite as frequently as they did in camp last year, but he has still played very well, including one play on Friday when he sniffed out a tight end screen then used his speed to close down Everett near the sideline and stop him for a loss.

Blair also continues to show his versatility, splitting time between safety and the nickel role.

5. Personnel updates.

Carroll wasn't scheduled to meet with the media Friday so there were no new injury updates, but cornerback Damarious Randall (groin) and tackle Cedric Ogbuehi (shoulder) both returned to action after being sidelined Wednesday. Linebackers Jon Rhattigan (hamstring) and Cody Barton (quad) were both out again, meaning another day practicing at linebacker for fullback Nick Bellore. Also sitting out Friday were defensive tackle Robert Nkemdiche, defensive end Benson Mayowa, guard Gabe Jackson and tackle Stone Forsythe. And as has been the case throughout camp, safety Jamal Adams and left tackle Duane Brown were also spectators.