With the Seahawks now two weeks into training camp, it's long past time to dive into the mailbag and answer some questions from you, the fans. As always, thanks to everyone who asked questions this week, and apologies if I couldn't get to your question this time around. And remember, in addition to submitting questions on Twitter, the mailbag is also always open at Seahawks.com/mailbag.
Hawkmania from Monmouth Oregon asks, "What have you been impressed with about Byron Murphy II, and what can you tell us about his skillset?" @SonicsSeahawks also asked about Murphy.
A: Murphy, a first-round pick out of Texas, has really started to come on strong since the team began practicing in pads last week. It can be difficult for linemen on both sides of the ball to really show what they can do in offseason workouts and in early part of camp before the pads go on, but now that the level of physicality has increased, Murphy is really getting a chance to show what he can do.
As for his skillset, it'll take some time and game action to full see what Murphy can do, but what is showing up early is his explosiveness, power and quickness. That really shows up in one-on-one drills in which Murphy has used his compact frame and power to get low on blockers and drive them back, while at other times using his quick get off to blow past opposing linemen. Teammates coaches have also praised his football savvy and smarts, and Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald recently had some really good things to say about the rookie.
"He's the guy that we thought he was," Macdonald said. "Let's not crown him yet, but he's on the way. He's a force in there, I think the guys see it. I'm pleased with his effort. The guy brings it every day. He's a rookie, there's things that we want to attack, but he's a savvy football player. He knows what he's doing out there, he's not lost, he plays fast, plays rugged. So I think the future is bright for Mr. Murphy."
@swftyx asks, "Does the O-line look like it's improving, and what are some good things to point out from the O-line so far?"
A: If an NFL head coach can admit in a press conference that he's not an offensive line savant, as Macdonald did the other day, then I'm definitely going to preface this with the same disclaimer. Until we start seeing the line in game-settings, we won't know for sure how much better they are, but there are definitely some encouraging signs early in camp.
For starters, the person playing what is generally considered the most important position on the line, left tackle Charles Cross, has looked really good in this camp. After a strong first two seasons, Cross looks like he might be ready to take the leap to be one of the league elite tackles, with Macdonald calling him "the anchor of the offensive line" and "a silent assassin out there."
Next to Cross is veteran guard Laken Tomlinson, a former Pro-Bowler who might be one of the more underrated offseason additions for the Seahawks, giving them a good player who will also provide leadership and who brings (knock on wood), remarkable durability, having started 114 consecutive games. Center is still an open competition (and yes, we're aware of the reports out there, but nothing official yet we can talk about on the team website), while right guard looks to be a battle between Anthony Bradford, who started 10 games as a rookie, or rookie Christian Haynes. If Bradford is the starter, the Seahawks will have a player with starting experience who should only be better in Year 2 having had that experience, and if Haynes wins the job, that means he'll have been impressive enough in his first camp and preseason that he unseated a 10-game starter from last year, so either way I'd consider than an upgrade from 2023. As for right tackle, the long-term goal is to have Abraham Lucas back, but with him still on the PUP list due to a knee injury, the Seahawks have the luxury of plugging in George Fant, a veteran heading into his ninth season who has considerable starting experience at left and right tackle.
"We're getting there, we're getting there," offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb said. "I told John Schneider yesterday we might have 10 O-line coaches but we're going to get that run game right. I'm excited about them. They're starting to run off the ball a little bit the last couple of days and attack the line of scrimmage. There's a little bit more of a unified front. Communication has been at a higher level and especially the last couple practices. I'm really hoping that we're starting to set the right trend there."
@dakota_ress asks, "How is the dynamic with Tyrel Dodson and Jerome Baker? Who's doing what and who's staying on the field in sub packages?"
A: Both players have shown a lot of good things during training camp, both in terms of their athletic ability and the way they're running the defense, with Dodson playing middle linebacker and Baker playing weekside linebacker. Unfortunately, however, those two have not had a ton of time on the field together, with both missing most of the offseason workout program recovering from injuries, and with Baker missing time recently due to a hamstring injury.
That being said, the Seahawks do really like what they've seen from that duo so far.
"I think it's coming together well," defensive coordinator Aden Durde said. "You can't discount the reps that T-Dod and Jerome missed. So, as they come into the system, there's a new system for them, so this is a really valuable time and you're seeing growth in T-Dod, you were seeing growth in Baker when he was out there; and then the young guys— (Tyrice Knight), and (Patrick O'Connell), and (Jon Rhattigan), those guys are coming on. It's the process and you just got to keep on with it."
As for sub packages, both would likely be on the field a ton in base and nickel defense, but if the Seahawks start playing a decent amount of dime or other unique packages that leave room for only one off-ball linebacker, then yes, one of them would probably miss a few snaps. Who that is, remains to be seen however, and we probably won't know that until the regular season, because the Seahawks, like most every team in the preseason, likely won't want to show very many exotic looks in preseason games, and even if they did, there's a good chance veterans like Dodson and Baker may not play a ton until the regular season.
@son_of_kt asks, "How does Jaxon Smith-Njigba look and is he being used in a way that would suggest an upcoming big year?"
A: Echoing the point made at the end of the last answer, we're not fully going to see how the Seahawks plan to use Smith-Njigba or any of their offensive weapons until the regular season—a nice early-season advantage a first-year coaching staff has is that there's not game tape of their full scheme for opponents to study—but with that caveat out of the way, it's safe to say Smith-Njigba has been a bright spot in camp, building off of an outstanding offseason workout program for the second-year receiver.
Speaking to the media earlier this week, Smith-Njigba talked about how much he likes this offensive scheme and its potential for explosive plays, and that has been showing in camp with Smith-Njigba catching a lot of intermediate and deep passes, often with room to run. As for how big of a year he can have, it's hard to guess numbers, especially when he's sharing targets with the likes of DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett, Noah Fant and Jake Bobo, but I do think it's safe to say we'll see a JSN take a pretty significant Year 2 leap, both because players often tend to make big improvements in their second seasons, and also because this new offense seems to suit his game well.
@MrEd314 asks, "What or who has impressed you in Seahawks training camp so far?
A: Well we can start with some of the players we've mentioned already, including Smith-Njigba, Murphy and Cross. Plenty of other players have had strong camps so far, but to single out a few, I'd start with Geno Smith, who has been dialed in from Day 1 of camp, and sticking with that side of the ball, DK Metcalf and Kenneth Walker III have both made a ton of big plays.
On defense, Uchenna Nwosu has been a force almost every day, and is reminding folks of how much he was missed in the second half of last season. Devon Witherspoon, who is coming off a Pro-Bowl rookie season, looks like he can be even better in his second season, and sticking with that position group, there is a lot of talent and depth at corner. Riq Woolen is having a great camp after injuries affected him at this time last year, and Tre Brown has been in some great battles with Seattle's top receivers on a daily basis. Those three look like the starters at the moment, but also don't sleep on Artie Burns, who is having a great camp playing a lot in the nickel role.
The Seahawks practiced on Tuesday, August 6, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.
Seahawks wide receiver Dee Williams (33) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks tight end Jack Westover (89) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) and running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Easop Winston Jr. (13) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson (0) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Artie Burns (23) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Patrick O'Connell (50) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Devin Richardson (43) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Jon Rhattigan (59) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Tre Brown (22) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) and linebacker Blake Lynch (40) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks running back Zach Charbonnet (26) and linebacker Jon Rhattigan (59) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kobe Lewis (44) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Jon Rhattigan (59) and running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) and running back Kobe Lewis (44) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks defensive tackle Byron Murphy II (91) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Carlton Johnson (37) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
The Seahawks linebackers practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall (58) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback/safety Coby Bryant (8) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh (25) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback D.J. James (29) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks safety Marquise Blair (13) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Tyrel Dodson (0) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks tight end Noah Fant (87) and safety K'Von Wallace (24) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenny McIntosh (25) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Cody White (82) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) and cornerback Tre Brown (22) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (81) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks tackle Michael Jerrell (65) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks tight end AJ Barner (88) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks safety K'Von Wallace (24) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Easop Winston Jr. (13) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (81) and cornerback Riq Woolen (27) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks running back George Holani (36) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jake Bobo (19) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Dareke Young (83) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Dee Eskridge (1) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Laviska Shenault Jr. (81) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Easop Winston Jr. (13) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Sundiata Anderson (47) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kobe Lewis (44) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) and cornerback Tre Brown (22) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Hayden Hatten (84) and safety K'Von Wallace (24) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb at practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver DK Metcalf (14) and safety Julian Love (20) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks linebacker Uchenna Nwosu (10) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Devon Witherspoon (21) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith (7) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback D.J. James (29) and wide receiver Easop Winston Jr. (13) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback D.J. James (29) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
The Seahawks offensive line practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks safety Julian Love (20) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks running back Kobe Lewis (44) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks quarterback Sam Howell (6) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks cornerback Artie Burns (23) and safety K'Von Wallace (24) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
Seahawks safety K'Von Wallace (24) practiced at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center on August 6, 2024.
