Following the 12th practice of Seahawks training camp presented by Bing at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center, Pete Carroll took time to meet with the press. The conversation came ahead of the team's preseason opener against the Denver Broncos, a game set for 7 p.m. PT tomorrow at CenturyLink Field.
The Seahawks coach provided several key injury updates, which you can read about right here. Below, check out a few more things we learned from Thursday's media availability with coach Carroll:
1. His Philosophy With The First Unit
It's been reported that Broncos starting quarterback Peyton Manning will not play against the Seahawks this week and instead the team will give the ball to backup Brock Osweiler to start. Carroll acknowledged that there are some Seahawks who will not play in the preseason opener, but wouldn't reveal who. Quarterback Russell Wilson, though, will "play some" according to the Seattle coach. Carroll expanded upon what he'd like to see from Wilson and his first-team offense and defense on Friday.
"As important as anything for me, in particular with the first guys, is they work to get mentally ready," said Carroll. "They start practicing to get mentally ready to play. So them not knowing how much they're going to play is part of that, and you not knowing how much they play is part of that.
"I want them to go back, get ready to go, and then we'll take them out when we take them out. I think there is a real process to getting mentally right to play this game at the level of intensity we expect and this is the first chance they really get to prepare in that manner. So we're going into, it's a big deal to us. We're going to try to play great football in all phases and it starts out with the ones when they get out there first."
After the ones get their work, Carroll said there will be a lot of time focused on evaluating the "younger guys" this game.
"They'll get to play a lot and the second half will really be important for a bunch of guys to show where they are to start," Carroll said. "This'll be like the first real impression that we have."
2. Christine Michael Will Get Plenty Of Snaps Through Preseason
Yesterday, offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell was asked about running backs Thomas Rawls and Rod Smith, saying they need to see both first-year players in preseason play as the pair battles for roster spots behind incumbent starter Marshawn Lynch and backup Robert Turbin. Bevell also called out third-year pro Christine Michael as one the coaching staff wants to see in exhibition and Carroll reiterated that point on Thursday.
"I'm really anxious to see him," Carroll said of Michael, the team's second-round pick in 2013. "He's worked really hard to get to this point. He's in incredible shape. I'd like to see him get out there and keep coming back and keep running and get a feel for the game, which he's been spot-played a lot up to this point. I'd like him to get a good sense for it. That's a really important evaluation for us. We'd like to see how he does. I think he's going to do really well. He's a very explosive player and hopefully we can get him enough opportunities."
A little rain never stops the 12s from coming out to Seahawks Training Camp presented by Bing.
3. It's Been A Great Camp For The 12s
All 11 sessions of Seahawks training camp open to the public have been held in front of a capacity-crowd of 2,600 fans. The team will hold three more sold-out sessions on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of next week before "breaking camp" ahead of its second preseason game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Carroll took time to thank the 12s for all the energy they've brought to VMAC thus far.
"This has been a great camp for the 12s," Carroll said. "They've come out in great force. The players have been interacting with them all throughout. … It's been a great camp of just connecting. So many kids out here having fun and all that. So I hope we're all feeling that connection as we start off this first game at CenturyLink. It's a big deal for us to start a game here and get playing here. It's been so crucial to our success, playing well at home and connecting with our fans, and the whole experience here. So we want to do this right."
Extra Points
- Carroll said he's counting on 34-year-old rookie and former U.S. Army Green Beret Nate Boyer to receive playing time at long snapper on Friday.
- Rookie cornerback Tye Smith, who the Seahawks selected in the fifth round of the draft this past May, will play outside cornerback and inside in the nickel on Friday. Smith primarily played outside at Towson, but has been practicing at both spots during training camp.
- Conversations are "ongoing" with strong safety Kam Chancellor, who has yet to report to training camp. "John [Schneider] continues to visit with Kam and his representation," Carroll said. "And nothing's changed at this point."
