One of the many reasons Seahawks coach Pete Carroll was excited about his team leading up to the 2016 season was the talent and depth of Seattle's rookie class. The Seahawks selected 10 players in the 2016 draft, then signed 13 undrafted rookies immediately after the draft, and throughout offseason workouts, those young players impressed their coaches and teammates.
When the Seahawks set their 53-man roster before the start of the season, it further validated the belief they had in that rookie class, with 8 of 10 draft picks making the roster in addition to six undrafted rookies, meaning 26 percent of the players on Seattle's roster were rookies. Of those 14 players, 13 are still on the current 53, the only change being defensive tackle Quinton Jefferson being placed on injured reserve last week with a knee injury.
Yet for all the excitement the Seahawks had about this year's rookie class, and for as much as those young players figure to be a big part of the team's future, the Seahawks weren't getting a lot out of their rookies early this season. Heading into the season, it appeared Seattle's first four draft picks, guard Germain Ifedi, defensive tackle Jarran Reed, running back C.J. Prosise and tight end Nick Vannett, would all have immediate roles. But thanks to injuries, Reed, who opened the year as a starting defensive tackle, was the only rookie with a big role on offense or defense early in the season.
Ifedi was Seattle's starting right guard throughout training camp and the preseason, but an ankle injury days before the opener caused him to miss the first three games. Prosise was slated to be Seattle's third-down back, but a hamstring injury limited him in camp, then a wrist injury in the season opener caused him to miss four games. And Vannett, who had a chance to see significant playing time as Seattle's third tight end, injured his ankle in the preseason and missed four games to start the year.
Now, however, the Seahawks are starting to see the type of contributions from their rookie class they were envisioning during the summer. Reed has been a solid in the middle of Seattle's defense all season, helping anchor one of the league's top run defenses; Ifedi has started the past four games and continues to show improvement; Vannett has seen his playing time increase the past three weeks and registered his first catch last week; and in his second game back from his injury, Prosise had a big game in New Orleans, catching four passes for a team-high 80 yards while rushing for 23 yards on four carries. The Seahawks have also increasing been getting contributions from undrafted rookies. George Fant started Sunday at left tackle in place of an injured Bradley Sowell, Tanner McEvoy keeps making big plays in limited snaps, and DeAndre Elliott and Tyvis Powell have both made big contributions on special teams.
"With the opportunity last night to see C.J. really get in there—the first game was just kind of a blank, then this game, he had a chance to make some runs, he had a chance to catch the ball, make a big play, that was really exciting," Carroll said. "We've really been waiting for him. Germain played better, again he did a nice, solid job for us. We saw Nick get in there and do some good things. Of course Jarran continues to play. It's a really good group of guys. To go along with that, some of the undrafted guys are starting to show up, and we're pleased with a lot of guys. It's a good group."
And just as Carroll and Seattle's coaches have high hopes for the 2016 rookie class, those players also believe they can be a big part of the team's future.
"We know we can be special," Ifedi said. "… We have a lot of guys who could have been picked a lot higher than they were, so they have chips on their shoulders and are talented. These guys keep coming along, and to have all of us back healthy—me and Jarran were saying a couple of weeks ago, it was the first game we had both played together—so the sky's the limit."
For Ifedi, every game back from his ankle injury is a chance to make a big step forward in his growth. As physically talented as he is, Ifedi also has had to learn a lot having come from a spread system at Texas A&M that he says was "night and day" from what the Seahawks ask of their linemen.
"I'm doing stuff that's the opposite of what I was doing last year," he said. "It's not even comparable. It's a totally different world."
Ifedi has shown improvement in his past two games after a performance against Atlanta that both Carroll and offensive line coach Tom Cable were critical of when talking to media the following week. Ifedi didn't mind hearing that out of his coaches, because he knew immediately after the game that he could have played better.
"They didn't have to say much to me," Ifedi said. "… I've been building my game since then, getting more consistent. That was kind of a wakeup call for me. I've never faced a team like that, never faced a front like that. So it was a wakeup call for me, and I think I've gotten a world better since then.
"It's just getting more consistent. There's always been flashes, but I'm not a person who's OK with flashing potential. I want to do it right every play. I'm getting closer. I want to keep doing it right every play, keep doing my technique right every play to the point that I know that snap after snap after snap, I'm going to be the same guy."
And as well as Prosise played in New Orleans, Carroll said "we're just scratching the surface" when it comes to getting the most out of the former Notre Dame back. Prosise figured to have an immediate and significant role with the Seahawks when the season began, but thanks to injuries, he's just now working his way into the offense.
"It's been a process," Prosise said. "I've just had to stay confident and keep going through the process, keep working, getting better every day. I had to battle through some injuries, I got through them, and now I'm just happy I'm healthy now and out there being able to play."
"I think my role is going to continue to expand and doing the things I've been doing. I think I'll get some carries here and there, and also come out of the backfield making some plays. That's what I'm going to keep doing. Whatever they ask me to do, I'm going to keep doing it."
Team photographer Rod Mar shares exclusive behind-the-scenes images from the Seahawks' Week 8 game against the Saints in New Orleans.
The Seahawks departed Seattle on Friday afternoon aboard their Delta charter on the way to New Orleans for the NFC contest with the Saints.
Upon arrival in New Orleans late Friday evening, players head to buses that would take them to the team hotel.
On Saturday, players including George Fant and Russell Wilson exited the hotel through a back entrance to board buses for the afternoon walk thru.
Quarterbacks coach Carl Smith and quarterback Russell Wilson review strategy on the sidelines during walk thru while the special teams unit took the field.
When it was the offense's turn to take the field, Russell Wilson commanded the huddle.
The team buses passed between two above-ground cemeteries, common sights in New Orleans.
After walk thru, the Seahawks paid a brief visit to the Superdome, site of the next day's contest with the Saints. Quarterback Trevone Boykin recorded the visit for posterity.
On game day, offensive lineman Robert Myers descended an elevator in the team hotel down to the team buses for the trip to the Superdome.
Fans waiting to watch the team depart the hotel on game day were dressed in attire that reflected both the Seahawks and the local Mardi Gras-inspired flavor of the Big Easy.
Once at the stadium, quarterback Russell Wilson toyed with a football as he listened to music on his Bose headphones.
An hour before kickoff, the Seahawks defensive backs including DeAndre Elliott, Jeremy Lane and Kam Chancellor and receivers coach Dave Canales prepared to take the field for pregame warmups.
With 22 minutes until kickoff, special teams assistants Nick Sorensen and Chad Morton reviewed last-minute strategy. Behind them are receivers coach Dave Canales and assistant receivers coach Nate Carroll.
Linebacker K.J. Wright sits at his locker, ready to take the field.
Defensive tackle Jarran Reed found a quiet moment to himself in the final moments before the team gathered to take the field.
The team gathered for their traditional pregame prayer at 11:45 A.M., Central time.
Cornerback Richard Sherman had final words for his teammates just before the team left the locker room for pregame introductions.
At midfield, Seahawks game captains DeShawn Shead, Brandon Williams, Kelcie McCray, Jon Ryan and Russell Wilson watch the coin toss. Among the Saints players are quarterback Drew Brees and former Seahawk Max Unger (60).
Seattle's defense scored first when safety Earl Thomas recovered a fumble and headed to the end zone led by blocking linebacker K.J. Wright.
Safety Earl Thomas celebrates as he crosses the goal line with the game's opening touchdown. In the stands, a sea of 12s can be seen cheering as many Seahawks fans made the trip to New Orleans.
Seattle's second touchdown was set up due to a trick play where running back C.J. Prosise caught a pass thrown by receiver Tanner McEvoy.
Running back Christine Michael tumbles into the end zone with Seattle's second touchdown of the game.
Seattle's defense was once again fierce, with linebackers K.J. Wright and Bobby Wagner tackling Saints' running back Daniel Lasco.
On the Seahawks sideline, safety Kam Chancellor uses a Microsoft Surface tablet to review with defensive backs DeShawn Shead, Kelcie McCray and Richard Sherman.
Rookie running back C.J. Prosise saw his first significant action of the season after returning from an injury.
Seattle's defense was again stout at the goal line, with Frank Clark, Jarran Reed, Kelcie McCray and Richard Sherman stopping New Orleans running back Tim Hightower.
Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham escapes for a 15-yard gain on a reception against his former team.
Pacific Northwest basketball products and current NBA players Spencer Hawes (wearing a Marshawn Lynch jersey) and Marvin Williams (wearing a Trevone Boykin jersey) took advantage of an off day and made the trip from Charlotte, N.C. to watch their favorite NFL team. Both are currently teammates on the Charlotte Hornets.
Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril comes up with a key sack of Saints quarterback Drew Brees in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks safety Kelcie McCray hauls New Orleans running back Tim Hightower out-of-bounds hoping to stop the clock on the Saints' final drive. However, officials ruled Hightower inbounds and the Seahawks were forced to use their final timeout.
Head coach Pete Carroll questions an official about a penalty called against the Seahawks.
Seattle receiver Doug Baldwin breaks a tackle and heads upfield on the final drive as the Seahawks sought to come-from-behind in the final minutes.
On the game's final play with the game clock at 0:00, Seahawks receiver Jermaine Kearse leaps high to corral a pass from quarterback Russell Wilson in the corner of the end zone, but could not stay inbounds on the play.
Seahawks receiver Jermaine Kearse looks on a an official rules him out-of-bounds on the game's final play as Saints players and fans celebrate a hard-fought 25-20 victory.
As the hometown fans cheer the Saints victory, Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham shares a moment in the tunnel with his former teammate Roman Harper before heading to the locker room.
A Seahawks fan wearing a Jimmy Graham jersey reacts after the loss to the Saints.
At the airport, head coach Pete Carroll took a moment to thanks a member of the airline ground crew.
Seahawks players cast long shadows in the late October sun as they walk to the airplane for the flight back to Seattle.
The Seahawks arrived back at Seatac airport to a downpour and made their way across the wet tarmac to waiting buses.
