FOCUS ON

Matt Flynn. The backup quarterback was able to throw more in today’s practice than he has since an inflamed muscle in the right elbow started acting up last week. Flynn took part in all phases of practice, a good sign that he’ll be able to play in Thursday night’s preseason finale against the Raiders at CenturyLink Field.

It also was Flynn’s longest on-field stint since coach Pete Carroll announced on Sunday that rookie Russell Wilson had won the starting job. So Flynn needs to begin taking advantage of whatever opportunities come his way.

“Matt came through in all ways,” Carroll said of Flynn’s performance in the QB competition that began in May – when just-traded Tarvaris Jackson also was part of equation. “He’s done everything he’s needed to do to lead us and show us he could do that. To show us that he understands the system, can use all aspects of it, can throw all the balls we wanted him to throw. He did everything just fine.

“Russell’s performance was just so far off the charts that we had to recognize it.”

Flynn was unable to play in the preseason game against the Chiefs in Kansas City on Friday night, when Wilson led six consecutive scoring drives in his first NFL start to all but settle the situation.

“The games did kind of decided the issue, but the work these guys have done and put in has been well carried out, highly competitive, fought throughout and we had to get to a point where we had to make a decision and we feel really good about the decision,” Carroll said.

Now, Flynn has to maintain his edge while working in a backup role to insure he’s ready if needed.

“I’m expecting Russell to play really well,” Carroll said. “But Matt is not going to take a knee on this thing. He’s going to go for it and keep battling, and when the opportunity comes I know he’ll be ready.”

ON THE FIELD

The 95-miunte practice concluded with each quarterback throwing a touchdown pass during a red-zone drill.

Wilson’s came on his first play, as he passed to wide receiver Sidney Rice after he had gotten a step on cornerback Richard Sherman. Flynn threw his scoring pass to wide receiver Ricardo Lockette on third down, after rookie rush-end Bruce Irvin pressured Flynn into an incompletion on first down. Josh Portis also threw a third-down TD pass to rookie wide receiver Lavasier Tuinei.

SEEING RED

Red Bryant has been listed among the blue-chip defensive ends in the league by Michael Lombardi at NFL.com. It’s overdue recognition for all the things – little and large – that Bryant has done, and continues to do.

Says Lombardi: “Those who are surprised that Bryant qualified as a blue-chipper should talk to any team that has tried to run the ball in his direction. He is a dominant player.”

He also lists Pro Bowl free safety as a “red-chipper,” adding, “Thomas is very close to joining the blue-chippers.”

On offense, running back Marshawn Lynch and center Max Unger were blue-chippers. “(Nick) Mangold might be the best, but (Alex) Mack and Unger are both close to his talent level,” Lombardi says.

IN ’N OUT

The number of players sidelined grew by two as tight ends Kellen Winslow (knee) and Cooper Helfet (unspecified) did not practice.

Still sidelined: wide receiver Doug Baldwin (hamstring), running back Marshawn Lynch (back), guard James Carpenter (knee), defensive linemen Jason Jones (knee) and Greg Scruggs (hamstring), linebacker Matt McCoy (knee) and defensive backs Chris Maragos (shoulder) and Walter Thurmond (leg).

Lynch was able to watch practice from the sideline today after spending Monday in the training room while the team was practicing.

UP NEXT

The players will have a walkthrough on Wednesday morning, their final on-field preparation for Thursday night’s preseason finale.

The 75-man roster must be trimmed to 53 players on Friday and the team can start compiling its eight-man practice squad on Saturday.

YOU DON’T SAY

“Coach Sherm always says, ‘The best ability is dependability.’ I just want to make sure when I’m on the field I’m dependable.” – rookie running back Robert Turbin on position coach Sherman Smith, the franchise’s original running back

Matchup: Seattle Seahawks vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Site: Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)

Kickoff: 5:00pm

The Seahawks travel to Kansas City this Friday night to take on the Chiefs in week 3 of the 2012 preseason. The Seahawks enter this game at 2-0 on the preseason and are coming off an impressive 30-10 win over Denver last week. The Chiefs are 1-1 in the preseason and are coming off a 31-17 loss to the St. Louis Rams last weekend. Here are some things I will be keeping an eye on this week.

Russell Wilson starts at quarterback for the Seahawks this week and as a fan, I am a mix of nervous and excited. I know Wilson is competing for the starting quarterback job with Matt Flynn but in my opinion he has very little to lose. Not many people including myself gave Wilson a good chance of winning the job. A strong performance by Wilson this week could potentially earn him the job but if he struggles he will most likely earn the backup quarterback job, the position that I thought he would win from the start. I am most interested to see Wilson’s on-field chemistry with the starting wide receivers and how he handles increased speed and pressure coming from Kansas City’s starting defense. One of the highlights of Wilson’s play thus far is his pocket presence and ability to keep plays alive. What I hope does not happen is Wilson trying to do too much, meaning he will force passes into tight holes or tuck the ball and run prematurely if the pocket collapses. Kansas City does not have the best defense in the league. They do not have the worst either. This is a very solid test for Wilson and if he performs well, I wouldn’t be surprised to see him start next week against Oakland and to see the quarterback competition stretched into next week.

Bobby Wagner has locked down the starting middle linebacker job. With all the uncertainty around that position battle behind him, Wagner can now concentrate on calling the first-team defense and building a rap with the rest of the starting defense. On defense this week, I am most interested to see if the Seahawks can finally establish a steady pass rush. My goal for this game is at least two sacks in the first half. I do not care if it is Bruce Irvin or Chris Clemons or even Red Bryant getting to the quarterback. I just want this unit to show us fans that we can be dominant in both aspects of the defensive game plan. So far, that has not happened even though the run defense and the secondary have done an exceptional job in proving dominance. One last defensive element I would like to see this week is the handling of the no-huddle offense. Last week Peyton Manning was very successful in picking our defense apart when running out of the no-huddle. If Matt Cassel and the Chiefs run no-huddle Friday night, I want to know we can stop them. We need to make sure the right personnel are on the field and make sure we can get stops, especially if the Chiefs are passing.

Special teams is gradually becoming an area of concern for me. We gave up a punt return touchdown in week one and had two Jon Ryan punts blocked in Denver last week. My worries would be eased significantly if we make sure there are no big returns by Kansas City return men and if we make sure any holes along the line are filled on punt coverage. I am not sure if Dexter McCluster will be returning kicks this week but if he is we have to be solid because McCluster can be a very explosive threat if he has daylight in front of him.

The Chiefs will be playing on offense this week with full health. After winning the AFC West in 2010, Kansas City fell into last place last year, primarily because of their losses on the offensive side of the ball. Last year they lost quarterback Matt Cassel, star running back Jamaal Charles, and up-and-coming tight end Tony Moeaki; all of whom are healthy to start the 2012 campaign. The Chiefs have a new head coach in Romeo Crennel and wide receiver Dwayne Bowe has just ended his offseason holdout. When you also include free agent acquisition Peyton Hillis, the Chiefs have the weapons to be an explosive offense this season. I will be looking to see how all of these players click under a new head coach in the first half.

On defense, the Chiefs are led by stud linebacker Derrick Johnson and safety Eric Berry who has returned from a knee injury that sidelined him for the majority of the 2011 season. Russell Wilson needs to make sure he is spot on with his throws because if not, Johnson, Berry, and the rest of the Kansas City defense will make him pay for his mistakes.

Random Thoughts: Like I blogged about on Wednesday, the Seahawks have a difficult time playing at Arrowhead Stadium. They have never played there under Coach Carroll therefore I am curious to know whether the team will do anything differently in preparation and during the game to handle the raucous red sea… The Seahawks announced that they will wear white jerseys and gray pants this week. In my opinion that may be the strangest of all our possible uniform combinations… One person who may be split on who to root for this week is actor Rob Riggle. Riggle is a diehard Chiefs fan and graduate of the University of Kansas. However, Riggle made an appearance at Seahawks training camp last season because of his friendship with Coach Carroll. My guess is Riggle will be pulling for the Chiefs. POW!… I will be watching from home on Friday. My dad offered to buy a growler of Mac & Jacks and of course I will never turn down beer as fine as that while watching a Seahawks game!

Prediction: Russell Wilson will do a decent job but not good enough to extend the quarterback competition for much longer. Matt Flynn will come in to play most of the second half and will completely dominate the Kansas City backups and the Seahawks will escape Arrowhead with a rare victory.

Seahawks 31, Chiefs 17

As always my review post will most likely come Saturday afternoon. Thanks for reading everybody. I greatly appreciate your comments and support. Go Seahawks!

Steve Kelley of the Seattle Times remembers long-time Seahawks and University of Washington athletics usher George Hickman, who passed away over the weekend at age 88, “George Hickman was kind, compassionate, feisty, thoughtful, but most of all he was genuine. He experienced so many thrilling moments late in his life, and all of us felt as if we shared in his good fortune.”

Danny O’Neil of the Seattle Times speculates on whether or not rookie quarterback Russell Wilson will start this week’s preseason game against Kansas City, “Carroll has been very tight-lipped about the process, declining to say after Saturday’s exhibition game in Denver and again on his weekly radio appearance on ESPN 710 Seattle if Wilson will start this week. But that might change Tuesday, as there were multiple indications that Wilson will start at Kansas City on Friday, which would be considered a sharp change of direction given that Matt Flynn started the first two exhibition games.”

O’Neil also has a couple of notes after the Seahawks traded veteran linebacker Barrett Ruud to the New Orleans Saints late yesterday, “The move nets Seattle what the Saints termed an undisclosed draft pick in their announcement of the deal. It also reflects the Seahawks’ confidence in rookie linebacker Bobby Wagner. New Orleans had a need at linebacker after Hawthorne underwent knee surgery this week to repair a damaged meniscus. The Saints’ Curtis Lofton is sidelined with a high ankle sprain.”

Jerry Brewer of the Seattle Times says Pete Carroll’s quarterback decision this week could define the early part of the Seahawks’ season, “If it’s an open competition, then Carroll should be intrigued enough with Wilson to want more information about him, and seeing him against Kansas City’s starting defense is a must. But if he’s leaning heavily toward Flynn based on practices and two preseason games, then now is the time to stop trying to push Flynn and start getting him ready for Week 1 against Arizona. I’m fine with whatever Carroll chooses. I’ve already written that he deserves some trust. But if you can’t see that this quarterback battle is odd, then you’re not being honest. Fortunately, the urgency of this week dictates that we’ll receive some clarity, probably on Tuesday.”

Eric Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune has his take on the Seahawks’ trade of Ruud to the Saints, “Ruud became expendable after the Seahawks drafted Bobby Wagner in the second round, and the rookie from Utah State performed well as Seattle’s starting middle linebacker in the team’s first two exhibition games. The Saints are looking to increase depth at middle linebacker after projected starter Curtis Lofton suffered a high ankle sprain. Former Seahawks stalwart David Hawthorne, projected as New Orleans’ starting weakside linebacker, also had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his knee.”

Brady Henderson of mynorthwest.com recaps a segment of “Brock and Salk”in which head coach Pete Carroll joined the show, and says quarterback Matt Flynn’s performance Saturday night at Denver was better than it looked, “Flynn played the first half and finished 6 of 13 for 31 yards. Carroll was pleased with the effort considering the two would-be touchdown passes and the pressure Flynn was under from Denver’s defense. ‘He had two touchdown-opportunity throws that were there, and I think he was 6 for 13, so that makes him 8 for 13 with two touchdowns in the first half. That would have been a fantastic start,’ Carroll said. ‘So we have to be very clear-minded and not emotional and work our way through the film, and we did, and I think he did a nice job under the circumstances. There were a couple opportunities in there that he would like to have back – that’s how that goes. I think he played a solid game and we would have loved to cash in on those two touchdowns.’ “

Mike Sando of ESPN.com takes a look at the number of snaps Seattle’s preseason quarterbacks – Matt Flynn and Russell Wilson – have taken in comparison to other potential starting quarterbacks around the NFC West, “Seattle’s two candidates, Matt Flynn and Russell Wilson, have taken far more snaps than their peers in the division. Flynn has played full first halves, giving him snaps with the first-team offense. Wilson could get that opportunity when the Seahawks face Kansas City on Friday night, although coach Pete Carroll hasn’t made an announcement yet.  NFL teams have traditionally used the third preseason game to get their starters extended playing time for the regular season. Priorities can change for teams without starting quarterbacks in place.”

Sando also revisits a few under-the-radar moves the Seahawks have made, including a look at the added depth along the offensive line, “3. Churning the OL depth. Adding veteran Deuce Lutui in free agency is paying off now that starting left guard John Moffitt is recovering from elbow surgery. Late-round choice J.R. Sweezy is making a surprisingly quickly transition from defensive line to guard. It remains to be seen whether Alex Barron provides value as a swing tackle. Overall, though, the Seahawks appear to have done the right thing by churning the line depth. The situation with Gallery comes to mind especially.”

Bucky Brooks of NFL.com believes the Seahawks’ quarterback battle might be closer than most people think, “It will be hard to bypass Flynn as the starting quarterback, considering his solid play throughout the preseason and the hefty financial investment Seattle made in him. Flynn was recruited to be the franchise quarterback and hasn’t done anything to disappoint thus far. However, Wilson appears to have special skills at the position, and his ability to thrive as a dual threat could be problematic for opponents in the regular season. I expect Flynn to get the first crack at the job when the regular season opens, but if the marquee free agent struggles at any point, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Wilson get the call.”

Here at Seahawks.com Clare Farnsworth tells us what worked and what needs work in Saturday night’s preseason game at Denver in his Monday Metatarsal Musings, and also has a look at one pass that wasn’t caught Saturday night, “Terrell Owens, who had practiced with the Seahawks for the first time only 11 days earlier and had not played in the league since 2010, was a step behind Broncos cornerback Chris Harris as he neared the north end zone. Matt Flynn, making his second start in as many preseason games, threw what might have been his best pass since signing with the Seahawks in free agency in March. But instead of a touchdown 46-yard catch, the ball eluded Owens’ grasp and fell incomplete. With the catch, Flynn would have finished with seven completions in 13 attempts for 77 yards – rather than 31 on 6-of-13 passing. With the catch, Owens would have had one big reception in the five times he was targeted by Flynn. With the catch, the No. 1 offense would have scored its first touchdown of the preseason. With the catch, coach Pete Carroll could have stepped to the podium after the game and discussed the progress that had been made by that No. 1 offense’s passing game in the team’s second preseason game; and the remarkable next step in Owens’ return to the NFL. Instead, Carroll was left to say, “It’s the first big ball he had thrown to him in a long time, and unfortunately it got away from him. That would have been a really big event for us to score on that play in the first half; I think it would have made a difference in how that first half would have gone. ‘It’s unfortunate. But he’s got to get back in action. It’s his first time out there. He’s been very much on point in practice and he’s worked very hard – and he’s caught a lot of deep balls in practice, too. So I know he can make those plays for us. It’s unfortunate we didn’t get it right off the bat. I wish for him, and for everybody, we would have caught that thing.’ “

Farnsworth also looks at the four Seahawks who were selected in Matt Williamson’s Top 200 players in the NFL, “Matt Williamson has released his annual list of the Top 200 players in the NFL at ESPN.com and the Seahawks are represented by four players: defensive end Chris Clemons (No. 105), free safety Earl Thomas (No. 120), running back Marshawn Lynch (No. 131) and defensive end Red Bryant (No. 194).”

Lastly, Farnsworth recaps quarterback Russell Wilson’s impressive stat line through two preseason games, and also has a note on the Seahawks’ impressive team statistics, “As a team, the Seahawks lead the NFL in rushing defense after two games and are third in rushing offense, after running for 228 yards against the Broncos on Saturday night.”

Defensive end Chris Clemons ranks No. 105 in Matt Williamson’s Top 200 players in the NFL.

Matt Williamson has released his annual list of the Top 200 players in the NFL at ESPN.com and the Seahawks are represented by four players: defensive end Chris Clemons (No. 105), free safety Earl Thomas (No. 120), running back Marshawn Lynch (No. 131) and defensive end Red Bryant (No. 194).

To view the entire list requires registration and a fee, because it’s an Insider feature. But here’s what Williamson has to say about the Seahawks he selected:

Clemons: “Since coming to Seattle for the 2010 season, Clemons has found a home as a starter and productive pass-rusher. He is explosive off the edge with excellent initial quickness and a good burst as he turns the corner to close down on the pocket.”

Thomas: “Thomas is a relatively short safety who is very well put together and is an extremely powerful tackler. He is very quick-footed and can be explosive as he accelerates to the play. He shows excellent range over the top.”

Lynch: “Lynch is a talented ball carrier who has agility, balance and adequate downfield speed. He had a tendency to dance around in the backfield for too long, but has learned to stick his foot in the ground, trust the hole to be there and fight for yards.”

Bryant: “Bryant is a massive defensive lineman with surprisingly nimble feet. He has adequate initial quickness and decent acceleration off the edge but is more effective as a run stopper than as an edge pass-rusher. He has a lot of natural power and strength and has learned to be more consistent at keeping his pad level down and squeezing the play down.”

The Seahawks will face the players ranked No. 1 and No. 2 at CenturyLink Field this season – Packers QB Aaron Rodgers (Sept. 24) and Patriots QB Tom Brady (Oct. 14). They also will face seven other players ranked among the Top 12 – Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (No. 4), Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis (No. 5), Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (No. 8), Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski (No. 9), 49ers defensive lineman Justin Smith (No. 10) and 49ers linebacker Patrick Willis (No. 12).

FOCUS ON

Phillip Adams. Hard work pays off. Just look at Adams, the third-year cornerback from South Carolina State.

All he did in today’s two-hour, 15-minute practice was intercept not just one but two passes. On the first, rookie linebacker Korey Toomer tipped a Russell Wilson pass near the goal line and Adams controlled the carom as he was falling to the turf. On the second, Adams locked in on a pass shortly after it left Matt Flynn’s hand and was able to get to the ball before wide receiver Kris Durham.

“We go out here and we practice hard every day,” Adams said. “We just continue to work at it every day.”

Last week, Adams got a chance to work with in the starting secondary, as Pro Bowl cornerback Brandon Browner was given a day off. Did that help Adam’s confidence?

“You have to be confident as a player, and this whole defense is confident,” Adams said.

Now that is an understatement. Practice can take on a feeding-frenzy feel as one defender tries to outdo the play that was just made by another defender. Today, that included a long-armed reach by cornerback Richard Sherman to swat away a deep pass by Flynn that was intended for Sidney Rice. And a near interception of a screen pass by defensive tackle Jason Jones. And another near interception by Sherman. And an end-zone interception by Pro Bowl strong safety Kam Chancellor. And rookie safety DeShawn Shead shielding Terrell Owens from an underthrown pass in the end zone.

“It’s like a domino effect,” Adams said. “We feed off each other. One person makes a play; it makes the other person want to make a play. So it becomes a feeding frenzy after awhile.”

ROOKIE WATCH

Bobby Wagner. After progressing even faster than the coaches had expected during the spring OTA practices and the first two weeks of training camp, the next question regarding the second-round draft from Utah State was: How would Wagner handle the duties that go with playing middle linebacker in Saturday night’s preseason opener against the Titans?

The simple answer: Better than expected. Again.

“He was very comfortable in the game; was easy to talk to during the game. He wasn’t overhyped or anything,” coach Pete Carroll said. “He handled it very well. Did a great job at the line of scrimmage making his calls and will continue to grow as he just recognizes his plays more quickly.

“He’s on track, and we all feel he has a chance to be the starter. We went in with that hope. Now we see that it’s possible and we clearly are supporting the fact that that might happen.”

POSITION WATCH

Center. John Moffitt, the right guard who has been getting work as the backup center, is out because of a sore left elbow. Lemuel Jeanpierre, the incumbent back to starter Max Unger, strained a groin during practice.

So how did the coaches handle the snapping chores? Unger got some double duty, while left guard Paul McQuistan and rookie guard Rishaw Johnson also filled the center spot – without snapping the ball. When either McQuistan or Johnson was at center, he would turn and hand the ball to the quarterback before the snap would have been made.

PLAYS OF THE DAY

Offense: Braylon Edwards making a falling grab of a Flynn pass in the back corner of the end zone behind Browner.

Defense: Despite all the above mentioned plays by the defense, the one that really stood out was 330-pound end Red Bryant breaking free on a pass play. But rather than rush the QB, Bryant mirrored Tarvaris Jackson’s movement and then went up to deflect the pass. Defensive coordinator Gus Bradley saluted the effort by yelling, “Hey Red, helluva play.”

IN ’N OUT

Today’s practice was typical for the first one after a preseason game, as some players who sat out against the Titans returned and other were sidelined with injuries they got in the game.

“We had a number of guys come back,” Carroll said. “It felt good to have those guys back out and kind of give us a boost in the numbers and all.”

Back were wide receivers Doug Baldwin and Ricardo Lockette, defensive lineman Alan Branch and linebackers Barrett Ruud and Allen Bradford. Also, wide receiver Sidney Rice practiced without a red no-contact jersey for the first time.

Sitting out were Pro Bowl fullback Michael Robinson, defensive backs Jeron Johnson and Ron Parker, defensive linemen Pierre Allen and Cordarro Law, linebacker Malcolm Smith and tight end Zach Miller. Carroll said that Robinson and Johnson should return by the end of the week, but that Law has a high ankle sprain and will be sidelined longer.

Miller got a concussion against the Titans.

“(Miller) responded immediately the next day, and the day after he looked clear,” Carroll said. “But it’s the process we have to go through, and we’re going to take great care in doing that properly.”

Still sidelined: Moffitt and James Carpenter, linebacker Matt McCoy and cornerback Walter Thurmond.

SURGERY FOR MOFFITT

As expected, Moffitt had surgery today to remove particles from his left elbow that were causing him pain. He is expected to miss two to three weeks, so veteran Deuce Lutui and rookie J.R. Sweezy will continue to work at Moffitt’s spot with the No. 1 line.

“This should be a real positive thing for John,” Carroll said. “It was something that needed to be done, so we did it as fast as possible.”

UP NEXT

The last practice of camp open to the public takes place Wednesday starting at 10 a.m. You can register here to attend. A crowd of 1,421 fans attended today’s practice.

Camp breaks after a morning practice on Thursday, and the team will fly to Denver on Friday for Saturday night’s preseason game against the Broncos.

YOU DON’T SAY

“I’m always impressed when I see a rookie have poise and look like he’s in control. It’s almost like he’s back in college. I don’t know what’s going through his mind, so maybe there were some things out there that kind of threw him off, but it certainly didn’t look like it. Bobby Wagner looked like he fit right in with that defense. Really fast, he had a really nice tackle, took on some blocks really well, made some little mistakes that you see rookies do, but other than that, I thought he showed really well.” – Dave Wyman, former Seahawks linebacker and now an analyst for 710 ESPN, on the team’s rookie middle linebacker

Richard Sherman (Seattle Seahawks – Rod Mar)

Here are my thoughts and observations from the first pre season game of the 2012 Seahawks season.

The uniforms are sharp, I love them. The blue is vastly better than the multiple blue tones they’ve had for more than a decade. The gray and green ascents really popped well on TV. I love the fact the Hawks really took a chance with the uniforms, it gives them a unique identity that fits well with the whole 12th Man motif.

The starting defense looked tremendous. The eleven that started will (Lord willing) be the eleven who start in Arizona on September 9th. Outside of the obvious pick six by Browner, I was immediately impressed with Red Bryant who just seemed to be everywhere, and that’s impressive for a guy who’s 6’4′ 330 lbs. He swatted a pass down and got in a few good licks, all the while giving the Titans o-linemen and earful. Jason Jones made his presence felt, getting decent pressure on the QB. Bruce Irvin was boom or bust, but when he boomed, it was fun to watch. The stunts the Hawks ran were successful and caused Hasselbeck to be flustered when he threw. No sacks were recorded but there was pressure. Baby steps. I liked what I saw from rookie Bobby Wagner, he looked comfortable and ok with being a leader in the linebacking corps. Only time will tell how he grows into the role. On a very good note, I was glad to see Marcus Trufant running with the second team and embracing the role, looking fresh and excited to play. I think it’s vital Tru hangs around, he’s a great leader and could be a very nice nickel back.

You can probably tell I love what the Hawks are doing on defense. This crew has all the makings to be a top five defense. Teams will simply not be able to run the ball, forcing them into the pass, which will play into the hands of an extremely aggressive and confident secondary. Will those guys make mistakes at times? You bet, but they don’t string them together, and recover quickly with big play ability. Pre season games are traditionally marked by defenses who are way ahead of offenses, and that was on display Saturday night. But even in light of that reality, the Hawks looked ready to rock. I only see upside with this crew. They are the foundation Pete and Co. are building upon.

On the offensive side of the ball, I literary had no idea what to expect. Unlike most folks, all I cared about seeing Saturday was the defense because, well, I love defense, so when the offense finally took the field, I just tried to keep an open mind. Matt Flynn had a very thin wide receiving corps running routes, and no Beast Mode behind him, so what conclusions can we draw? He had one terrible pass (the INT to the LB), and a bad sack, but over all he looked solid. He got the ball out and on time to the receivers. He seemed comfortable running the offense. His best play was the roll out completion to Zach Miller, (who then promptly got blown up and received a concussion, not good). I was pleased with what I saw. Regarding Russell Wilson, I was equally impressed. Being a rookie, you simply take the good with the bad and roll with it. His athletic ability was apparent from the start. Bevell rolled Wilson out A LOT, which I think was designed to ease Wilson into his first pro game. He ran a lot of roll outs at Wisconsin, so it was only natural to keep him in that comfort zone. His arm strength was solid. His speed was great. His worst play was the red zone INT, which to my eye looked like jitters and nerves. His best play could have been the TD pass to Edwards or the TD run, but for me I can’t really grade at this point. Just seeing him out there looking comfortable was enough.

I was impressed with the starting offensive line’s run blocking. Washington and Turbin (The Turbinator was putting on a gun show, I’m pretty certain he lifts weights…) had gaping holes to run through, and Flynn had time to pass. Good to see considering the plethora of injuries that unit has seen the past two years. Michael Robinson was dominant run blocking, no surprise there. I wish I could say the same for the second unit offensive line. The Hawks don’t have any depth up front, so if further injuries rear their ugly head, they could be in a world of hurt.

Overall, it was a great night of football. There is a lot to be excited about with this team, especially on the defensive side of the ball. If they can identify a clear starting QB and develop some semblance of an aggressive passing game before week 1, I like their chances to get off to a good start in the division and then make a playoff push. But if a passing game is not developed, the upside this team could achieve will be stunted. The next three weeks are vital.

-Joe-

FOCUS ON

Braylon Edwards. Just-signed Terrell Owens wasn’t on the practice field. The recently signed Edwards was, and the veteran wide receiver put on a show during the 2½-hour practice at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.

“Braylon has done very well,” coach Pete Carroll said. “He’s learning very fast. He’s had a chance to compete right from the beginning. He’s made some big grabs already. He did it again today.

“So he’s factoring in and making a bid for playing time.”

Edwards’ beginning to this camp came a little later than most of the other players, as he was signed a week ago. But the former first-round draft choice of the Browns (2005) who also has played for the Jets (2009-10) and 49ers (2011) is making up for his delayed start.

Today, Edwards stayed with a play where the ball went off the hands of Pro Bowl cornerback Brandon Browner and was able to catch the carom.

“It’s definitely staying with the play,” Edwards said. “Getting open, holding the line and keeping the DB behind you.”

That, however, was just a warm-up as the 6-foot-3 Edwards then pulled down a Tarvaris Jackson pass despite tight cover from 6-3 cornerback Richard Sherman.

“Sherm expected me to go back inside,” Edwards said. “I didn’t. I kept it outside. It was a good throw and we made a play.”

Then there was the TD catch that wasn’t. Or was it? Edwards made a great effort to haul in a pass from rookie QB Russell Wilson on the other side of the end zone, but the official ruled he came down out of bounds. Edwards couldn’t wait for the instant replay.

“We’re going to go look at that film,” he said, smiling. “I think they both were good.”

Carroll said Owens is scheduled to practice for the first time Wednesday morning and will be wearing No. 10.

POSITION WATCH

Defensive tackles. After giving up too much ground in Sunday’s mock game, line coach Todd Wash challenged his unit – especially the tackles. They not only answered that challenge today, they did it emphatically.

“I don’t know if we had our best day up front in the mock game, so we challenged ourselves in the meeting room that we’ve got to do a better job of reestablishing the line of scrimmage and being active,” Wash said. “We were getting chewed up a little bit on some play-action stuff on Sunday.

“They took it to heart and came out today and played with really good effort.”

The best thing about the bounce-back performance? It wasn’t just a player or two; it was seemingly everyone in the full-team period that ended practice.

Nose tackle Brandon Mebane and end Red Bryant sandwiched Marshawn Lynch for no gain. Rookie tackle Jaye Howard got to Lynch 3 yards behind the line of scrimmage. The versatile Jason Jones got to Matt Flynn for a “sack.” Second-year tackle Pep Levingston stopped Tyrell Sutton for no gain. Howard got the penetration on a play where Sutton had to squirm and wiggle to gain 3 yards.

“They take a lot of pride in what they do,” Wash said. “And they know that the way they got it done on Sunday was not to the level of our expectations. So they came out, challenged themselves and had a good day.”

PLAYS DU JOUR

Offense: Let’s go with the best of Edwards’ efforts, the TD pass he caught against the long-armed Sherman at the right edge of the end zone.

Defense: Leo end Chris Clemons had a tempo-setter early in practice when he popped wide receiver Deon Butler to the turf after a short reception. The effort set off a celebration among the other defensive players.

IN ’N OUT

Cornerback Donny Lisowski, a rookie free agent from Montana and Seattle’s O’Dea High School, was released to clear a spot on the 90-man roster for Owens.

Bryant and Jones and rookie middle linebacker Bobby Wagner returned to practice. Still sitting out: wide receivers Doug Baldwin and Ricardo Lockette; tight end Anthony McCoy; linebackers Matt McCoy, Jameson Konz and Allen Bradford; defensive end Dexter Davis; and the two players on the physically unable to perform list – offensive lineman James Carpenter and cornerback Walter Thurmond.

UP NEXT

Flynn will run the No. 1 offense the rest of week, starting with Wednesday’s practice, as Carroll said the free-agent acquisition will start at quarterback in Saturday night’s preseason opener against the Titans at CenturyLink Field.

JOIN THE CROWD

Today’s cloud-covered practice attracted 1,264 fans. Only four more practices are open to the public – Wednesday and Thursday this week and Tuesday and Wednesday next week. Each sessions starts at 10 a.m. and you can register here to attend.

GNARLY TRAFFIC

With state routes 520 and 167 closed this weekend, fans attending Saturday night’s game are advised to plan accordingly. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

YOU DON’T SAY

“You know what happened? They gave us a day off. They gave John (Schneider, the GM) and I a day off and look what happened. That’s kind of what it was. We looked at each other, ‘Hey, let’s get something cooking.’ Bam, we did.” – Carroll, when asked why the team decided to sign Owens now

Danny O’Neil at the Seattle Times catches up with wide receiver Golden Tate, who’s expectations are high – just as they were in 2010 and 2011 – as he heads into his third season hoping to finally emerge as a key contributor on offense,  “Saying something is not the same as doing it, though,” said O’Neil. “Tate knows that better than anyone, and after a strong finish last season, he might never get a better chance than this one. The release of Mike Williams created a receiving vacancy on the opposite side from Sidney Rice. With Doug Baldwin entrenched as the slot receiver, Tate is competing with teammates Ben Obomanu, Kris Durham and Ricardo Lockette at split end. So, here we go again — another Seahawks season begins with the question of whether the receiver who was such a talented playmaker at Notre Dame is ready to establish himself as an NFL starter.”

Eric Williams at the Tacoma News Tribune talks with 2012 first-round draft pick Bruce Irvin, who told Williams that with DE Chris Clemons now at practice, Irvin feels like he can finally start to make strides at the NFL level, ” ‘It’s a big help. I felt like when Clem wasn’t here, I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Now that Clem is here and I get can a visual of what he’s doing, it really helps me out a lot.’ “

Dave Boling at the Tacoma News Tribune speaks with Red Bryant on the joys of fatherhood, and on how his family and his new baby-boy, Joseph Brooks Bryant, played a large role in his decision to re-sign with Seattle in the offseason, “Especially with the new addition to the family, Bryant wanted to stay in Seattle because it feels like home,” writes Boling. “His wife, Janelle, was born in Kirkland, and is the daughter of Seahawks Ring of Honor defensive end Jacob Green. ‘I didn’t really want to have to move to a new city and adapt and deal with all the things that go with that,’ Bryant said. ‘We’ve got a great fan base here and my father-in-law played here, so it’s a dream come true.’ “

John Boyle of the Everett Herald has his notes from Monday’s practice session – the ‘Hawks first padded practice of the season. “Today was the first practice in pads, and apparently this fact excited linebacker K.J. Wright,” said Boyle. “Early in team drills, Wright found his way quickly into the backfield, then delivered a welcome-to-the-NFL pop on Robert Turbin that put the rookie running back on his rear. A little while later, Wright delivered another big hit, this one on veteran receiver Antonio Bryant, who is attempting to break back into the NFL after two years out of the league.”

Tim Booth of the Associated Press previews former Seahawks defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy’s Hall of Fame induction, which is set to take place this Saturday, August 4. “What made Kennedy so difficult to stop was his low center of gravity, unexpected quickness and remarkable strength packaged in a 6-foot-1, 300-pound frame,” said Booth. “If he was asked to hold the line on a running play, he would regularly eat up two or three potential blockers. But he could also rush the passer up the middle, a rarity for an interior defensive lineman. While 1992 was his best individual season, Kennedy recorded at least six sacks in six of his 11 seasons.”

Liz Matthews of 710 ESPN Seattle has her practice report from Day Three of camp, where rookie QB Russell Wilson took the majority of the first-team reps, “Wilson took snaps with the first-team offense Monday, the first day the team was in pads. Still working on perfecting the timing and rhythm that comes with the speed of the NFL game, Wilson has made a number of big plays these last few days that haven’t gone unnoticed. He’s shown impressive footwork, the ability to scramble and the maturity to remain calm under pressure not often seen in rookies.”

Brady Henderson of mynorthwest.com recaps a segment of “Bob and Groz” in which ‘Hawks cornerback Marcus Trufant joined the show. Henderson details their conversation as the veteran CB begins his transition to the nickel cornerback role, “Trufant, a starting cornerback for nine seasons, is sliding inside to nickelback, a change he seems to be enjoying. ‘I think it’s a good move, man,’ Trufant said. ‘It’s fun. I get to do different stuff. I get to move around a little bit. I get to blitz a little bit. I get to do a little bit of everything. I just take it as a challenge. I’m excited and I’m having fun doing it.’ “

Also from mynorthwest.com Brock Huard gives us two thoughts on the Seahawks quarterback competition in this short video.

Here at Seahawks.com Clare Farnsworth brings us his Hawkville report, with his focus from Monday’s practice centering on defensive lineman Brandon Mebane. “The 311-pound Mebane was dominating in the 9-on-7 run drill, starting with the first play when he put some extra ‘ex’ in explosive by blowing through a gap between the center and guard to get to the running back well behind the line,” said Farnsworth. “Mebane then provided replays of his disruptive quickness on back-to-back plays and also recovered a muffed exchange between the center and quarterback. In another drill, when rookie quarterback Russell Wilson dropped an unexpected shotgun snap – after a defensive player had jumped offside – Mebane was there again to fall on the loose ball.”

Farnsworth feature story from Monday’s session centers on veteran linebacker Barrett Ruud and rookie linebacker Bobby Wagner, who are competing with each other for the middle linebacker spot.

Lastly from Farnsworth, he breaks down Day Three of the ‘Hawks QB competition, where Russell Wilson garnered the most first-team reps.

Our Seahawks Daily features a look at the veteran presence along the offensive line.

Wide receiver Rircardo Lockette participated in a Twitter video interview after Monday’s practice, where we took questions from the 12th Man on Twitter to ask the speed-demon Lockette.

Eric Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune writes about the heightened expectations the Seahawks face as they head into year three under Carroll, “Carroll enters Year 3 of an effort to ultimately build the Seahawks into a regular playoff contender. Seahawks owner Paul Allen did not hire Carroll away from national college power USC three years ago – after giving hometown product Jim Mora only one year to turn things around – just to hover around the .500 mark. Carroll and general manager John Schneider remade Seattle’s roster into one of the youngest teams in the league, cycling through over 500 roster moves since January 2010 on their way to back-to-back 7-9 campaigns. Now, the 60-year-old coach known for his enthusiastic approach is expected to lead this team to the playoffs.”

John Boyle at the Everett Herald gives us seven questions the Seahawks face as they open 2012 training camp. The obvious question heading into camp revolves around the Seahawks quarterback competition, which Boyle is quick to list. But one of the more interesting questions Boyle poses centers around the ‘Hawks running game, which was a strong point during the second half of last season and in order for this team to be successful in 2012 is expected to pick up where they left off, “Marshawn Lynch and the offensive line improved dramatically in the second half of the season, which coincided with more wins. Now can they keep it up? One encouraging sign last season was that the line was able to continue its improvement even as starters James Carpenter and John Moffitt went down with injuries. This year’s line, on paper anyway, looks like it could be the best and deepest Seattle has had in years, but half a season of success hardly makes it a proven unit.”

Brock Huard and Mike Salk of mynorthwest.com suggest a few players to watch during Seahawks training camp in this video. Huard details his excitement for newly acquired tight end Kellen Winslow, who he believes has a chance to “shatter” the single-season record for receptions by a Seahawks tight-end.

Here at Seahawks.com Clare Farnsworth caught up with Seahawks Pro Bowl fullback Michael Robinson and defensive end Red Bryant as they entered the VMAC yesterday, discussing the team’s high expectations as they enter the third season with coach Carroll at the helm. Robinson put the team’s mentality best when he told Farnsworth, “It’s time now, this is the moment everybody has been waiting for. It’s time to put on the pads. It’s time to get serious. It’s time to block everything else out and develop that championship mindset.”

Farnsworth also touched based with newly-signed veteran wide receiver Antonio Bryant, who signed with the Seahawks on Thursday. Bryant told Farnsworth he is looking to make the most of the opportunity heading into camp, “I’ve been in this position before,” Bryant said. “Right now, I’m considered trash. But hey, that’s cool. I’ve been in this position before. But one thing people have to remember, they better go back and watch their film. Just know this: I’m something they’re going to have to compete against.”

Matt Bowen of the National Football Post lists Seahawks first-round draft pick defensive end Bruce Irvin as one of his 10 rookies to watch during training camp. Bowen offers his thoughts on the speed-rushing end out of West Virginia, “Irvin was labeled as a ‘situational’ rusher after the draft and I understand that. Think defensive sub packages (nickel, dime) and the ability to turn the corner vs. OTs. However, no different than talking about [Shea] McLellin above, Irvin isn’t going to beat every tackle this season with the speed rush. This is a rookie I want to watch in live game action this August.”

Finally, if it wasn’t already obvious enough, the first of 13 Seahawks training camp practices is open to the public today at 10:30 a.m. You can register for future sessions here. See you at camp.

Members of the Seahawks, past and present, visited schools on the Kitsap Peninsula on Monday to promote a partnership with the South Kitsap School District to help students achieve their goals. Katie Scaff at the Kitsap Sun has the details: “ ‘There’s no such thing as overnight success. I was 5-foot and 104 pounds when I entered high school, and I made it to the NFL. I just kept trying and trying,’ said Paul Johns, a wide receiver from 1981 to 1984. Johns visited an end-of-year assembly at John Sedgwick Junior High School with current wide receiver Ricardo Lockette in the afternoon while four other former members and (author) Debbie Macomber visited assemblies at Marcus Whitman and Cedar Heights junior high schools.”

Danny O’Neil at the Seattle Times takes at look at what some of the top pass-rushers in the NFL make as the Seahawks and Chris Clemons continue to discuss an extension: “Clemons is one of seven players in the league to total double-digit sacks in each of the past two seasons, and he’s on a significantly smaller deal as he enters the final year of a five-year contract that totaled $18.5 million.”

Mike Sando at ESPN.com tackles the Seahawks’ QB situation while answering questions from his mailbag: “Seattle’s quarterback competition could not be settled without exhibition games. There was never an expectation one candidate would jump to a huge lead before training camp. The fact that no one has seized the job does not necessarily mean the team has no quarterbacks worthy of starting. Coach Pete Carroll was going to promote competition through the offseason and into training camp. That was the plan in the absence of exhibition games. I covered the Seahawks’ final minicamp practice last week and didn’t even think to report on whether one of the quarterbacks had won the job. Yet, it’s unusual to divide reps three ways. That isn’t sustainable. At some point, the Seahawks will have to decide whether they’re comfortable enough with (Matt) Flynn and rookie Russell Wilson to consider moving past 2011 starter Tarvaris Jackson or adjusting his $4 million salary.”

Here at Seahawks.com, we look at the national media’s obsession with the three-QB competition for the starting job: “OK, obsession is a bit strong, considering the amount of national attention the team generates. But most of the mention the Seahawks have gotten this offseason stems from Carroll’s decision that incumbent starter Tarvaris Jackson will vie for the job with free-agent addition Matt Flynn and rookie Russell Wilson. It happened Monday – again, and understandably – when Lindsay Rhodes of the NFL Network caught up with Carroll at a Play 60 event in Southern California. Three of her six on-camera questions – and the first three, at that – involved the QB situation.”

Pete Prisco at CBSSports.com offers his overrated/underrated tandems for each team in the league, including the Seahawks: “Overrated: WR Sidney Rice. They paid him like a No. 1 receiver and he didn’t stay on the field. Even healthy, is he really that? Underrated: DE Red Bryant. He isn’t a pass rusher, so he doesn’t get a lot of attention, but he is a good run player and a big part of Seattle’s improving defense.”

Gregg Rosenthal at NFL.com reports from the NFL Broadcast Boot Camp, which included Seahawks, past and present: “The players range from active (Nate Burleson,  Michael Robinson, Joel Dreesen) to retired (Chad Brown, Jenkins) to free agents (Melvin Bullitt and Patrick Crayton). Producers give honest feedback about what players can improve after their segment is done. No one is coddled. ‘Say what you have to say to me,’ Brown said. ‘I’ve played for Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick. I’m used to being criticized. It doesn’t bother me one bit.’ “

Michael Martinez at FoxSports.com looks at Brian Banks’ tryout tour, which included a stop at the Seahawks, and wonders if the exonerated linebacker can get a contract: “Banks, who was away from the game for 10 years and only resumed working out after his case was cleared, will begin working with noted trainer Travelle Gaines this week. He also has done MMA-style training with FOX NFL insider Jay Glazer, who works with several NFL players at his Las Vegas gym. If the additional training helps Banks get closer to football shape, his chances of receiving an invitation will improve, (Seahawks coach) Carroll said. ‘We’re going to give him the next six weeks to get in shape and show us what he can do with a really good conditioning program behind him,’ Carroll said. ‘Then we’ll make a decision whether or not he gets to come to the big camp. He’s tried out for a couple of other teams, and he’s going to continue to do that. It’s a real long shot, of course, but he’s such a strong-minded kid, he’s got a chance.’ “

Speaking of linebackers, John Manasso at FoxSports.com checks in with Lofa Tatupu, the former Seahawk who is trying to restart his NFL career with the Falcons: “Last year, Lofa Tatupu was only 28 years old and four years removed from an All-Pro season as a middle linebacker. Yet, after undergoing surgery on the lateral meniscus in both knees following the 2010 season, he ended up having no takers when Seattle cut him a few days into training camp. He received a couple of invitations to work out. One, he said, appeared simply to be a ploy by a team to pressure its own player into signing. (It worked.) Tatupu said he was a victim of circumstance. Not only did the lockout hurt him, but when he received offers, they were at outside linebacker, which he had never played. He wasn’t sure he could do it. As a result, he sat out the entire season and contemplated retirement. ‘I thought it was over,’ he said. ‘I was ready to send those (retirement) papers in.’ “

Brian Banks, who had a workout with the Seahawks last Thursday, will attend the team’s minicamp this Wednesday and Thursday. Danny O’Neil at the Seattle Times has the update: “Banks is a 6-foot-2, 239-pound linebacker who participated in a solo audition for the Seahawks last week, performing well enough that coach Pete Carroll invited him back to continue his tryout during Seattle’s final minicamp. Banks will do just that as soon as he gets back from Kansas City, where he will audition for the Chiefs on Tuesday. From there, Banks will head back to Seattle, his agent, Bruce Tollner, confirmed.”

Tim Booth at the Associated Press also has the word on Banks returning to Seattle: “Following the workout, (coach Pete) Carroll said he wanted to bring Banks’ back for the minicamp and see him on the field. Banks initially hesitated saying he needed to speak with his agent about his other options, causing Carroll to joke that he needed to recruit Banks yet again.”

Eric Williams at the News Tribune looks at the QB situation as the team moves into its only full-squad minicamp, which remains an open competition: “(Tarvaris) Jackson also has the most experience in a group that includes Matt Flynn, who’s made two NFL starts, and rookie Russell Wilson. The 29-year-old Alabama State product has a 17-17 record in 34 NFL starts. ‘Russell and Matt both have ground to make up because they’re learning new systems,’ Carroll said. ‘And they both are doing exceedingly well at that, but they have more ground to make up. T-Jack has more familiarity after all the years he was with Bev (Seattle offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell, who coached Jackson while both were in Minnesota).’ ”

Tom Cable was on 710 ESPN with Bob and Groz and Brady Henderson has the highlights from the interview with the team’s offensive line coach at mynorthwest.com: “ ‘I’m personally disappointed in how we protected the quarterback, and we’ve made that a big emphasis to clean it up,’ Cable said.”

Mike Sando at ESPN.com has three under-the-radar moves for the Seahawks this offseason, including re-signing their own players: “Seattle spent the previous two offseasons adding “name” players from elsewhere. Sidney Rice, Robert Gallery and Zach Miller were examples in 2011. Keeping your own guys doesn’t always feel like progress, but it’s part of the building process. (Red) Bryant and Marshawn Lynch were the big re-signings. Paul McQuistan, Michael Robinson, Leroy Hill, Matt McCoy and Heath Farwell re-signed as unrestricted free agents. Bringing back Marcus Trufant could factor into the equation as well. Might the long-time starter be reborn as a nickel corner?”

Here at Seahawks.com, we take a look at rookies Bobby Wagner and Robert Turbin, teammates at Utah State and once again with the Seahawks: “Bobby Wagner and Robert Turbin were walking out of a class at Utah State last fall when the conversation turned to the inevitable: Their imminent NFL careers. And who could blame them. Wagner was the leading tackler for the Aggies, while Turbin was in the process of fashioning a 1,517-yard, 23-touchdown season. The NFL wasn’t just calling this productive duo, it was screaming. ‘We talked for like an hour about what we were going to do when we got to the NFL,’ Wagner recalled this week, cracking the slightest of smiles. ‘We didn’t know we’d end up here together. I just knew that no matter which team he went to I was going to root for him, and he was going to root for me.’ As it turned out, these two would end up sharing more than a first name and an alma mater. The Seahawks selected Wagner in the second round of the NFL Draft to compete for the starting middle linebacker spot that open when three-time leading tackler David Hawthorne signed with the New Orleans Saints in free agency. The club then added Turbin in the fourth round, to supply the physicality required in the running game on those occasions when leading-rusher Marshawn Lynch needs a breather or can’t play. ‘We’ve talked about that, too; just how crazy it is that we ended up in the same spot,’ Wagner said. ‘We’re going to try and put Utah State on the map. I don’t think we could have asked for it to turn out any better.’ ”

For a look at the rest of the league, there’s Peter King’s “Monday Morning Quarterback” at SI.com, which includes this note on the Seahawks: “I think I can’t get too fired up about the Seahawks losing two June practices because of contact during sessions that were supposed to be non-contact. As former player and now media maven Ross Tucker said: ‘It reminds me of recruiting violations against a college football power. Pretty much everybody does it to some extent and the only question is which college powerhouse, or in this case NFL team, gets this year’s slap on the wrist. The only way NFL teams get caught is if a player turns the team in to the NFLPA or there is something as egregious as a couple of injuries and a fight breaks out that the media is there to report on, which is what happened in Seattle. Plus, live contact during OTAs is inevitable. As long as the cameras are on, the coaches are evaluating and forming opinions. If coaches are forming opinions, players will continue to increase their intensity so that they look good until it escalates to an unacceptable level per the CBA rules.’ ”

The Seahawks took the if-you-can’t-beat-‘em-get-‘em-to-join-you path to acquiring another tight end on Monday by trading for Kellen Winslow Jr. In three games against the Seahawks – one with the Browns and two with the Buccaneers – Winslow has caught 24 passes for 316 yards and two touchdowns.

Brock Huard, a former Seahawks QB and now host at 710 ESPN, sizes up what Winslow brings at mynorthwest.com: “Tom Cable has talked about the eight- and even nine-man box counts opposing defenses threw at the Hawks a year ago. Putting two tight ends like (Zach) Miller and Winslow on the field will force the defense’s hand. Play base defense and Winslow is a mismatch; play nickel defense and expect Beast Mode to run off of Miller and set up the play-action pass.”

Mike Sando at ESPN.com sizes up Winslow, complements of a scouting report from Scouts Inc.: “He is too fast and athletic for linebackers to cover and too big for defensive backs to match up against. He has a wide receiving radius with soft, sure hands that allow him to make tough catches. He is a willing and physical blocker but lacks the size and strength to do much more than get in the way when blocking inside.”

Eric Williams at the News Tribune says the addition of Winslow fills one of the team’s last remaining needs: “The Seahawks had been looking to add a veteran tight end after losing John Carlson to Minnesota in free agency, and had Jacob Tamme and Visanthe Shiancoe in for visits during the first few weeks of free agency. Tamme signed with Denver, while Shiancoe remains available. But Winslow is the pass-catching tight end Seattle had been looking for to pair with physical run blocker Zach Miller, who signed a five-year, $34 million deal to join the Seahawks in free agency from Oakland before last season.”

Percy Allen at the Seattle Times says it looks like the Seahawks “won” in the deal: “At first glance, it appears Seattle made out like a bandit in a deal that brings in a gifted pass catcher to pair with tight end Zach Miller, who had 25 receptions for 233 yards and no touchdowns last season, his first with the Seahawks.”

Doug Farrar of ShutdownCorner.com also likes the deal in this dispatch at YahooSports.com: “In Seattle, there is room for a player as productive as Winslow has been in the recent past. Drafted sixth overall by the Cleveland Browns in the 2004 NFL draft, Winslow most recently averaged 72.6 catches, 792.3 yards, and four touchdowns in each of the last three seasons for Tampa Bay. In 2011, he was the fourth-most targeted tight end in the NFL – only Jimmy Graham, Rob Gronkowski and Brandon Pettigrew had more footballs thrown in their general direction by their quarterbacks. He played through pain on a right knee that has seen six different surgeries, and though the sheer physical upside is limited at this point in his career, Winslow seems a good risk for a Seattle team in need of far more consistent production from his position.”

John Boyle at the Everett Herald says the Seahawks have made another splash at the position: “For the second time in as many years, the Seattle Seahawks have made a splash by adding a tight end. Seattle acquired former Pro Bowler and first-round draft pick Kellen Winslow Monday in a trade with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, adding depth the team has been searching for at tight end since free-agent John Carlson signed with Minnesota earlier in the offseason.”

The Associated Press looks at the trade from the Bucs’ vantage point: “Winslow has been one of Tampa Bay’s best offensive players since being acquired from Cleveland in a trade three years ago. He had 77 receptions for 884 yards and five touchdowns in 2009, 66 catches for 730 yards and five TDs in 2010 and 75 receptions for 763 yards and two TDs in 2011. … Winslow said he has been working out near his home in San Diego and missed last week’s initial set of organized team activities in Tampa. He said he was planning to join the team on Monday, but that he got a call from (coach Greg) Schiano on Saturday. ‘He was kind of upset that I wasn’t there working out with the team in the offseason and for the first week of OTAs,’ Winslow said during the interview with SiriusXM.”

Here at Seahawks.com, we take a look at Winslow through the eyes of Gus Bradley, the Seahawks defensive coordinator: “ ‘He is tough, now. He is something to deal with,’ said Bradley, who was an assistant with the Bucs from 2006-08. “He’s their go-to guy. … They put him all over the place. They don’t just line him up in the core. They’ll flex him out, so no one can get their hands on him.”

We also have the word on Russell Wilson’s experience at the NFL Rookie Premiere: “ ‘I knew it would be a great experience, but at the same time the way I’ve always been mentally is I want to focus on what I’m doing,’ Wilson said through a smile on Monday. ‘And that’s playing football and winning games here.’ But once the importance of being invited to the NFLPA event was explained to him, Wilson quickly adopted a, well, “I’m in” attitude. ‘The Rookie Premiere was great,’ he said. ‘The NFLPA did a great job. It was unbelievable hospitality. And you get to spend time with the guys that you got drafted with, which is a pretty cool experience. It was a great experience, and I’m definitely glad I did it. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.’ ”

And the word on Red Bryant honoring a former teacher at the Heroes in the Classroom event: “As for Bryant’s role in Friday’s event, ‘It was a no-brainer,’ he said. For starters, he had dyslexia as a child, a situation he shared with the honorees and the principals from their schools. But even more importantly for Bryant was Sue Brooks’ role in his life. She was an English teacher at Jasper (Texas) High School. ‘As for a teacher who had an impact on my life, there’s no question, her name is Sue Brooks,’ Bryant said. ‘The impact that she had on my life gave me the opportunity to be before you guys right now.’ Bryant also told the assembled educators how he had to take the ACT four times. The first three times, his scores were 13, 11 and 12. The fourth time, with Brooks’ help, he scored a 21. ‘She went the extra mile,’ Bryant said. ‘She got the paperwork together and she requested that she be able to read it to me, and I scored a 21.’ ”

The coaches are limited to 45 minutes on the practice field with the players during Phase 2 of the Seahawks’ offseason program. But each session includes, and ends with, a special teams period.

“It’s pretty cool,” said linebacker Heath Farwell, who led not only the Seahawks but the entire league with 21 coverage tackles last season. “We’re out here working hard. Guys just want to get better, that’s the thing. We’ve got one goal in mind, and that’s to win.”

It’s a sign of just how much emphasis coach Pete Carroll puts on the too-often overlooked last third of the three-part equation to playing winning football. And the special teams were just that for the Seahawks last season. Red Bryant set franchise records by blocking two field goals in a game and four kicks during the season. Jon Ryan led the NFL and tied a club record with 34 punts downed inside the opponents’ 20-yard line, broke his club single-season records for average (46.6 yards) and net average (39.3) and also got off the longest punt (77 yards) in franchise history. Steven Hauschka tied club records by kicking five field goals in the upset victory over the Ravens and converting at least one three-pointer in 12 consecutive games. Doug Baldwin blocked a punt that Michael Robinson returned for a touchdown, while Farwell also had a blocked punt to set up a TD. The Seahawks ranked 10^th in the league in kickoff (24.8) and punt return (11.0) average, thanks to Leon Washington (25.2 and 11.3).

The special teams, under the direction of coordinator Brian Schneider and first-year assistant Marquand Manuel, should only be better – or faster, at the very least – with the infusion of speed from this year’s draft class.

“The two young linebackers look fast and athletic,” Farwell said of second-round pick Bobby Wagner and fifth-rounder Korey Toomer – who have run the 40-yard dash in 4.47 and 4.54 seconds. “That’s going to be a big part of special teams.”

There’s also first-round draft choice Bruce Irvin (4.50 seconds) and sixth-rounders Jeremy Lane (4.48) and Winston Guy (4.53).

But as Farwell as shown in his career, it takes more than just speed to be successful on special teams. He came to the Seahawks at midseason last year after five seasons in Minnesota, where he had 113 coverage tackles to tie for fourth on the Vikings’ all-time list. He led the Vikings in special teams tackles in 2010 (19), 2009 (24), 2007 (32) and 2006 (25), and was voted to the Pro Bowl as the NFC special teams player in 2009.

“It’s the want to make the plays and the want to make the tackles. It’s the effort,” a reluctant Farwell offered when asked the secret to his success. “I don’t know, it’s just something I work at. And I pride myself on it, and outworking everybody and making sure I put more time in than everybody else.”

The players were off today, but return Thursday and Friday to complete Phase 2 of the offseason program.

Mike Sando at ESPN.com offers a glance at the Seahawks’ offseason, including what went right – with a couple of items you might have forgotten or overlooked: “The Seahawks signed quarterback Matt Flynn in free agency without paying an exorbitant price. That made it easier to justify using a third-round choice for quarterback Russell Wilson. … Re-signing Marshawn Lynch before free agency and Red Bryant during free agency was critical. Lynch is the focal point of the offense. His running style became inseparable from the Seahawks’ identity on offense. Bryant was the most important defensive player against the run and a leader in the locker room. … Highly valued offensive line coach Tom Cable returned to the team after some speculation that a college program such as UCLA might consider him as head coach. … Free-agent defensive tackle Jason Jones chose Seattle over St. Louis at a reasonable price, making it easier for the Seahawks to part with Anthony Hargrove, who subsequently incurred an eight-game suspension. … The linebacker market was soft enough for Seattle to bring back Leroy Hill without overpaying.”

In her “Between the Tackles” feature at ESPN.com, Ashley Fox tackles the Seahawks’ QB situation now that coach Pete Carroll has added Wilson to the mix for the starting job: “Given that the Seahawks signed Flynn to a three-year, $26 million deal in free agency, he would seem to be the front-runner for the job. But Carroll has said that (Tarvaris) Jackson, who started the final 10 games of last season with a torn pectoral muscle, will get first crack at the first-team reps. Then Flynn. Then, presumably, Wilson. There is nothing wrong with competition in May and June, but if it lingers too long into training camp, it could prove counterproductive. Whoever is going to be the starter will need all the reps he can get.”

ESPN.com also has a survey where you can rank your favorite sports franchise.

Danny O’Neil at the Seattle Times offers some impressions from the rookie minicamp, including this one: “In a draft where the Seahawks surprised a number of people, (Korey) Toomer was perhaps the most under-the-radar selection. A linebacker Idaho recruited out of junior college, he missed the 2010 season after breaking his hand, and while he played well as a senior, he was not invited to the combine. He is long-armed and fast with incredible athleticism. His vertical leap measured 42 inches in a workout, and he looked every bit as athletic as advertised in this first weekend of workouts. He’s playing strongside linebacker, a spot that is locked down by K.J. Wright now, but it’s possible Toomer could land a role in the Seahawks’ nickel defense sooner, rather than later.”

In his “Shutdown Corner” at YahooSports.com, Doug Farrar says the Seahawks could reap dividends from the surprising picks of Wilson and Bruce Irvin, the pass-rusher who was selected in the first round: “While Irvin (the 15th overall pick) impressed through the Seahawks’ 2012 rookie minicamp, the real news came via Wilson, who showed impressive command of an NFL offense in his first opportunity to do so. Despite standing 5-foot-10 5/8 – a fact that had a lot of draft experts rating him as a fourth-round prospect – Wilson displayed many of the positive aspects required for his position. He was consistently nifty in the pocket, rolled out to throw very well, threw his receivers open downfield over and over, and sold play-action like a pro. Head coach Pete Carroll was beyond impressed – with Matt Flynn, Tarvaris Jackson and Josh Portis already on the roster, Carroll insisted that Wilson had already done enough to be in the running for the starting quarterback competition. If Wilson won the job before the season started, he would be just the second third-round quarterback in NFL history to claim that prize – Buffalo’s Joe Ferguson did the same in 1973.”

Also at YahooSports.com, Jason Cole wonders if Pete Carroll has commitment issues because of his decision to turn the QB situation into a three-man competition: “But shouldn’t the Seahawks have had an answer by now as to who will be their top option for a long-term successor to Matt Hasselbeck? Shouldn’t there be some sense of commitment to Matt Flynn, the former Green Bay backup who was signed in free agency? Shouldn’t Tarvaris Jackson get more than one season to show his ability? ‘At some point, we’re going to have to make that decision and that’s up to Pete to find out how that’s going to unfold,’ Schneider said. ‘We wanted to do it like in Green Bay, where we had a guy and we were always developing someone.’ OK, but … ‘Eventually you have to find someone and settle on that guy. We all realize that.’ “

Alex Marvez at FoxSports.com has a photo gallery of his 32 breakout players in the league for 2012, and he selects K.J. Wright for the Seahawks: “A 2011 fourth-round pick, Wright immediately displayed far better instincts at linebacker than 2009 first-rounder Aaron Curry ever did in Seattle. Wright’s quick emergence led to Curry being traded to Oakland midway through last season. Wright should be even more effective in 2012 since the Seahawks chose two front-seven defenders (pass-rush end Bruce Irvin and middle linebacker Bobby Wagner) in the first two rounds of April’s draft. ”

Here at Seahawks.com, “Monday Metatarsal Musings” makes a rare offseason appearance so we can review the weekend rookie minicamp: “When the Seahawks said they were bringing in 30-something players on a tryout basis to flush out the roster for their three-day rookie minicamp, my initial thought was good luck with that. And that was followed quickly by visions of offensive linemen running into one another while trying to block for a running play; cornerbacks colliding with receivers, and vice versa, on pass plays; and just a mish-mash of mangled assignments. It didn’t happen. None of it. The players – a group that also included the team’s 10 draft choices and 10 other rookie free agents who had been signed after the draft – went through two-hour practices on Friday and Saturday and a final 100-minute session on Sunday. While it wasn’t exclusively an exercise in precision, it was closer to that than the maddening mayhem it could have been.”

We’ve also got a look at the rookies joining the offseason program, and Carroll’s reflections of his draft experience (this one is worth checking out just to see the picture of Carroll as a safety at Pacific).

Remember Brandon Coutu? Sure you do. The kicker, and former Seahawks’ draft choice, has signed with the Jaguars, according to the team’s website.

Dave Boling at the News Tribune offers some impressions from Wednesday’s 45-minute workout, which was open to the media: “Two of the new free agents, for instance, are obviously eager to make impressions. Defensive lineman Jason Jones, at 6-5, 276 pounds, is all angles and levers. If slapping your way through a series of blocking dummies in a hurry is any indication, Jones seems to be a perfect fit as an interior rusher on passing downs. And the new No. 72 is the surprisingly svelte guard Deuce Lutui, whom you may recall from the days when he was stretching out Arizona Cardinals jerseys. Lutui failed the physical last year with Cincinnati and returned to Arizona as a backup. Although said to have been topping out in the 400-pound range, he’s listed at a believable 338 now, having slimmed down by adopting some vegan concepts in his diet.”

Also at the News Tribune, Eric Williams has highlights from Red Bryant’s post-workout Q&A session: “According to Bryant, one thing he has noticed during Seattle’s offseason training is the difference from two years ago after coach Pete Carroll created more depth at every position. ‘In 2010 when I got injured we really didn’t have a person who could step up at that particular time and do what Coach Carroll envisioned for the defense,’ Bryant said. ‘But you can’t say the same thing today. If one guy goes down, I’m pretty sure the next guy will step in and it shouldn’t be a big drop off. And that’s a testament to Coach Carroll and the scouting department.’ ”

Danny O’Neil at the Seattle Times focuses on Bryant’s newfound security, which comes with his new contract: “No doubt about his position, unlike two years ago when he switched from defensive tackle to end. No questions about his durability, after he started 16 games for the first time in his career. No uncertainty about his future, since he signed a five-year contract to remain with Seattle. ‘It’s definitely a change,’ Bryant said. ‘I’ve got more security … I know I’ll be here, and I’m a big player moving forward … I have a lot more responsibility as far as continuing to be the leader that I have become.’ ”

John Boyle at the Everett Herald looks at how Bryant is enjoying fatherhood: “This has been a big offseason for Red Bryant and his wife, Janelle. And not just because Bryant signed a sizeable contract in March in his first crack at free agency. In addition to gaining some considerable financial security, these past few months have been a lot different for the Bryants because they’ve had their hands full with one sizable baby. Fitting for the son of one defensive end and grandson of another — Janelle is the daughter of former Seahawks great Jacob Green — Joseph Brooks Bryant, who is only four months old, is already checking in at 22 pounds and 29 inches long. ‘It’s great,’ Bryant said of being a first-time parent. ‘It’s the best experience in the world. He’s starting to be a big boy.’ “

Mike Sando at ESPN.com delves deeper into Deuce Lutui’s vegan diet, that the Seahawks’ recently acquired guard credits with him being in the best offseason shape of his career: “Incorporating vegan principles into his diet has indeed helped Lutui reach his playing weight (340 pounds) months earlier than usual. But he has not stopped eating animal products entirely. Lutui, in consultation with a nutritionist, still eats fish and chicken to maximize his protein intake. Protein shakes after workouts are also allowed. Red meats and dairy products are on the do-not-eat list. ‘A lot of people wouldn’t call it vegan, but as the vegan concept goes, it is something I eat pretty much vegan throughout the week,’ Lutui said over the phone Tuesday. ‘I’ve been at this for four months, and so I’ve lost tremendous weight.’ ”

Also at ESPN.com, John Clayton touches on Bruce Irvin’s expected production this season while answering a reader’s question in his weekly mailbag: “I can see him getting 11 sacks as a rookie. I don’t think he will get many starts his rookie season, but Pete Carroll’s system is set up for him being a double-digit sacker. Carroll considered him the best pass-rusher in the draft. He figures to get Irvin on the field 60 percent of the snaps. If the strategy works, the Seahawks will have two 11-sack players – Chris Clemons and Irvin. It’ll be interesting to see whether more teams go into two-tight end sets against the Seahawks to try to minimize Irvin’s impact. Of course, if teams do that, it could take away some big-play ability from the downfield throws. It could also play into a strength of the Seahawks, who have the best young safety corps in football.”

Pete Carroll was on with “Brock and Salk” at 710 ESPN and discussed rookie QB Russell Wilson: “ ‘He can make all of the throws, and you know we’ve watched everything time and again to see it,’ Carroll told ‘Brock and Salk’ on Wednesday, a day before Wilson and the rest of the team’s rookies are scheduled to (report for) a three-day minicamp. ‘His body position does not have to be all aligned to make big throws down the field. He can move and kind of duck and dodge and come up firing and find guys crossing the field, 40 and 50 yards down the field, and put the ball on a line when he has to.’ “

Here at Seahawks.com, we take a deeper look into the team’s decision to dispatch Tom Cable to checkout J.R. Sweezy before deciding to draft the defensive tackle and move him to guard: “Tom Cable looks for certain characteristics in his offensive linemen; even when that lineman might be playing on the defensive side of the ball. That was the case when the Seahawks dispatched Cable, their assistant head coach/offensive line coach, to check out J.R. Sweezy, a defensive tackle at North Carolina State that the team was considering selecting in the NFL Draft – and moving to guard. When it came time to make the 18th pick in the seventh round on April 28, Sweezy it was – with an approving nod from Cable. ‘It was his demeanor, first and foremost,’ Cable said this week, as the veteran players continued Phase 2 of their offseason program. ‘His intelligence. His toughness. And how he played on defense.’ That’s what attracted the team. As for Cable, he offered, ’For me, what kind of pushed it all over the top was just how quick and athletic he was. That jumped out at me. You put that with those other characteristics and you’re thinking, ‘OK.’ ”

We’ve also got a look at the team’s improved pass rush, through the eyes of Bryant, as well as a recap of Bryant’s Q&A session: “Now that Bryant is back, he does not intend to stand on what he already has accomplished in his now-you-don’t-see-him/now-he’s-impossible-to-miss career. ‘I have bigger expectations than just a contract,’ he said. ‘I definitely want to be a guy when my playing days are over with and they think about the Seahawks, they think about big Red Bryant.’ ”

You can watch the Bryant interview here.

Red Bryant has seen Jason Jones in the flesh and Bruce Irvin on tape. Now, the team’s XXXL-sized defensive end can’t wait to see what the combination of Jones and Irvin will mean to a Seahawks pass rush that generated 33 sacks last season.

After the team’s offseason program workout today, Bryant was asked about Jones, who was added in free agency to provide pressure on opposing quarterbacks from the tackle position in the nickel defense; and Irvin, the team’s first-round draft choice who will lineup opposite “Leo” end Chris Clemons in passing situations.

Bryant on Jones: “I love everything about Jason Jones. He’s quick. He’s extremely fast. I can see why they went out in free agency and really got after him. He does a great job of getting off the ball. He’s a lot longer (6 feet 5). He’s about as tall, or might even be taller, than me (6-4). So I can see how he can cause a lot of confusion. He’s a lot smaller (276 pounds, compared to 332 for Bryant) and quicker than I am. So it’s definitely going to be intriguing once we get in our different packages, as far as our ‘Bandit’ look and different things like that. It’s going to bring a different dynamic to our football team.”

Bryant on Irvin: “I actually got the privilege of meeting him once we drafted him. So far, I like him. Watching some tape of him from West Virginia, he’s definitely the kind of football player that I could see coach (Pete) Carroll going after. We expect big things from him this season.”

Irvin will participate in this weekend’s rookie minicamp.

But if Irvin is in, that likely means Bryant will be out. He had one sack last season, giving him two for his career. Those are numbers he’s definitely looking to increase.

“Getting sacks, that’s my major goal,” Bryant said. “I want to at least get that stigma off of me, because I know I can get to the quarterback.”

Today’s 45-minute session had a definite defensive feel to it, as Monte Kiffin was in attendance. The longtime defensive coordinator in the NFL now has that role and the title of assistant head coach at USC on the staff of his son, Lane. Monte Kiffin was the coordinator in Tampa when Seahawks D-coordinator Gus Bradley was the Buccaneers’ linebackers coach in 2007-08. Kiffin also was the linebackers coach in Minnesota from 1986-89 when Seahawks coach Pete Carroll was the Vikings’ defensive backs coach, as well as Carroll’s linebackers coach during his first season as coordinator with the Jets in 1990.

We’ve always liked Clark Judge – first as a fellow beat writer when he was covering the Chargers and 49ers; then as someone who shares the same birthday; and now as a friend. But we really like what he has to say about the Seahawks in his latest offering at CBSSports.com. Judge picks them as one of five teams that failed to make the playoffs last season that could advance to the postseason in 2012: “There are few teams building more momentum than Seattle, which quietly put together a defense that could rival San Francisco for intensity, ferocity and opportune play. OK, so the Seahawks lost linebacker David Hawthorne, their leading tackler the past three seasons. They acquired linebacker Barrett Ruud and defensive lineman Jason Jones, retained defensive lineman Red Bryant and added Bruce Irvin, a first-round pick who has a ton of issues but whom scouts describe as the best edge pass rusher in the draft. Seattle is chasing San Francisco in the NFC West, and the last time they met – late last season – they fell just short, losing by two points after quarterback Tarvaris Jackson fumbled with a little more than a minute left. Those Seahawks played great defense but didn’t have enough offense. These Seahawks think they fixed the problem with the acquisition of quarterback Matt Flynn, and maybe they’re right. Flynn has only two NFL starts, but he was marvelous in both. I don’t know, but this looks like a carbon copy of the 49ers’ blueprint, a club that can hammer you with defense and put just enough points on the board – largely thanks to its running game. It worked for San Francisco. Why not here?”

John Clayton at ESPN.com has a photo gallery of his picks for the 10 draft choices that will have the biggest impact during their rookie season, and Irvin makes the cut at No. 6: “Maybe Irvin isn’t a starter and Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll eventually will be criticized for drafting a backup at No. 15. But Irvin is probably the draft’s best pass-rusher and should put up double-digit sack numbers early in his career.”

Also at ESPN.com, Mike Sando offers his comments on Clayton’s Top-10 selections: “Irvin should benefit from the Seahawks’ very specific plans for him. The team got nine sacks in zero starts from Raheem Brock in 2010. Irvin will play a similar role and a similar percentage of the snaps, giving him a very good chance to eclipse Brock’s total – if he’s talented enough to produce those numbers. Brock played about 50 percent of the snaps for Seattle in each of the last two seasons.”

Marc Sessler at NFL.com also has an assessment of Irvin, and his selection in the first round: “The immediate prognosis was uncharitable: Pete Carroll and Co. officially reached on the pick. Sure, Irvin turned heads at West Virginia, but off-the-field issues soiled his allure as a rare pass-rushing talent. Ignored amid a flurry of melting tweeters and talking heads was the obvious: The Seahawks weren’t caught off-guard here. This wasn’t a case of general manager John Schneider lounging in the war room, picking a random name out of a hat, with cheerful piñatas dangling from the ceiling. The organization mined Irvin’s past and felt a connection to his story. Where draftniks pick him apart, Seattle saw a unique, moldable talent. ‘Look, he has had a rough background,’ Schneider told the National Football Post. ‘He was so desperate. He dropped out of school. He basically was living on the street. But he was able to pick himself up, get his GED, get into a junior college (Mount San Antonio College), then get a scholarship (with the Mountaineers).’ “

Don Banks at SI.com offers some positional battles to keep an eye on the offseason programs and minicamps continue. The Seahawks’ QB situation is included, of course, but with a twist – Tarvaris Jackson vs. Russell Wilson to be Matt Flynn’s backup: “My way of thinking, if the Seahawks were happy with what they got out Jackson as their starter for 14 games last season, they wouldn’t have signed Matt Flynn in free agency or drafted Wilson in the third round. So I’m not buying it’s a three-man quarterback competition in Seattle. It’s last year’s starter against this year’s rookie to see who earns the No. 2 job, behind Flynn. Jackson has seen this movie before, in Minnesota, and he knows the advantage always goes with the new option, because there’s no taint or stain of defeat on the quarterback who just walked through the door. The sense is that Pete Carroll and Co. are intrigued with Wilson’s skill set and will find ways to get him on the field, perhaps even using him in a Wildcat role. Jackson clearly enters with the edge in experience, and his knowledge of the offense should give him a healthy advantage. But if Wilson proves himself a quick study, don’t be surprised if he’s only relegated to the team’s No. 3 quarterback role for a little while this season.”

Eric Williams at the News Tribune provides a roster analysis, including this assessment of the most-talked about spot – quarterback: “This position experienced an extreme makeover from last season, with Seattle adding what it hopes are significant upgrades in (Matt) Flynn and (Russell) Wilson to increase the overall performance from this position. My opinion is even though (Tarvaris) Jackson is in the final year of his contract, if he does not win the starting job the Seahawks likely will keep him. Seattle believes this team is on the cusp of a deep playoff run, and you can’t do that without having two veteran quarterbacks that can step in and win games for you. I think this will be mostly a learning year for Wilson. And don’t count out (Josh) Portis; the organization still likes him as a player and he’ll be given a chance to prove he can be a part of the equation moving forward.”

Here at Seahawks.com, we take a closer look at sixth-round pick Winston Guy, who could become the third safety in the big nickel defense: “With (Lawyer) Milloy finally retired after 15 NFL seasons and (Atari) Bigby joining the San Diego Chargers in free agency, someone had to fill the third safety spot. And the coaches think they’ve found just the safety. ‘All those things where we used Atari, this kid fills those roles very well,’ Carroll said just after the draft had been completed. ‘He’s a versatile player. They moved him around in the kind of fashion that we like moving our guys around. We’re very excited about him. He’s a very aggressive kid. He plays a lot like Atari.’ ”

We’ve got a look at the wide receivers from Tuesday’s offseason program workout: “But today, after another offseason program workout that was held in warm, sunny conditions and on the manicured outside practice fields at Virginia Mason Athletic Center, (Tarvaris) Jackson said he liked the team’s current group of wide receivers. It’s an eclectic mix that includes (Sidney) Rice and Mike Williams, the on-the-mend incumbent starters; Doug Baldwin, who led the team in receiving as a rookie last season and has switched to his college number (89) so (Matt) Flynn could have No. 15; veteran Ben Obomanu, who GM John Schneider recently called “one of the more underrated receivers in the league”; and the promising quartet of Golden Tate, Deon Butler, Ricardo Lockette and Kris Durham. ‘That’s what makes those guys work harder, because they know they’re unproven and they’re trying to prove themselves,’ Jackson said. ‘When you’ve got guys that are hungry like that, and willing to work, that makes things a lot better.’ ”

Brady Henderson at mynorthwest.com passes along highlights from Robert Turbin’s interview with “Bob and Groz” on 710 ESPN, and the running back from Utah State who was drafted last weekend by the Seahawks has more in common with Marshawn Lynch than their position: “The Seahawks saw Robert Turbin as a big-bodied thumper who could duplicate Marshawn Lynch’s physical running style. That’s not the only thing the newest Seahawks running back has in common with the guy he’ll likely be backing up. Both have Bay Area roots and share an affinity for Skittles. ‘That’s my favorite candy,’ Turbin said when he joined “Bob and Groz” earlier this week.”

Mike Sando at ESPN.com fields “one big question” from a reader about the Seahawks’ QB situation, and whether Matt Flynn will live up to hype he generated from two starts with the Packers: “What we’ve seen from Flynn, the presumed starter even though he hasn’t yet won the job, suggests he’ll be more aggressive than 2011 starter Tarvaris Jackson. He’ll take more chances. That seemed to be his nature with Green Bay. Some of that could reflect the advanced state of the Packers’ offense overall and the types of games Flynn participated in while completing 55 of 81 passes for 731 yards with nine touchdowns and two interceptions in two starts. That is obviously an unsustainable pace; he’s not going to pass for 72 touchdowns with 16 interceptions over a full season. Things will even out if Flynn plays as aggressively as he played while posting that 9-2 ratio.”

Charlie Casserly at NFL.com takes a look at some lingering questions from the NFL Draft, including a few about Seahawks first-round draft choice Bruce Irvin: “Irvin was mentioned to me by many teams as the best pass rusher in the draft. Yet even with that statement most teams placed him in the second round or took him off the board because of off-field concerns. The Seahawks had their pick of all the pass rushers and took him. Irvin was most effective at West Virginia as an outside pass rusher. He was the most explosive defensive end in the draft. But I thought that if he could not beat the offensive tackle off the ball, he had trouble beating his man because of his size and lack of counter moves. I did not think he played the run well. He got engulfed by the offensive linemen blocking him. He does have the potential to be effective rushing the passer, especially at home in Seattle because of the incredible crowd noise that is there.” And his questions are … 1. How many pressures/sacks will he have at home versus on the road?; 2. Will he develop counter moves on his pass rush?; 3. How effective will he be versus the run?

Here at Seahawks.com, we discussed the team’s unique-looking defense with veteran linebacker Leroy Hill and the roots of its uniqueness with coach Pete Carroll: “Leroy Hill admits to the occasional double take as he stepped into the Seahawks’ defensive huddle last season. And who can blame the veteran linebacker, just look at what was surrounding him – and continues to encircle him as the team moves into Phase 2 of its offseason program: a 254-pounder who plays fast and furious at one end (Chris Clemons) and a 332-pounder who plays big and bold at the other end (Red Bryant); a similar smaller/speedier (Earl Thomas) and bigger/brasher (Kam Chancellor) tandem at safety; and 12½ feet of seemingly all arms and legs at the cornerback spots (Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman). Each of these guys is a square peg in the round-hole expectations for the prototypical players who should line up at their positions. But each also played an important role in the Seahawks’ defense ranking ninth in the league last season – Clemons with his 11 sacks; Bryant with his two interceptions as well as his immovable-object presence against the run; Thomas, Chancellor and Browner with their overall games that landed each in the Pro Bowl; and Sherman, the third option on the left side, with his four interceptions and 17 passes defensed. ‘It’s an odd-looking defense when you look at the bodies that we have out there,’ Hill, who is in his eighth season with the team, said Thursday. ‘It’s definitely odd compared to what I’m used to.‘ There is a definite method to the perceived madness of how the Seahawks play defense, and who they use to play it with: Pete Carroll.”

Kick returner/running back Leon Washington attended Sounders FC’s big win over the Galaxy on Wednesday night, and Tony Ventrella caught up with him for this video report.

A look at some memorable moments in Seahawks history that occurred on April 26:

1983: Curt Warner is selected in the first round of the NFL Draft to provide the legs for new coach Chuck Knox’s “Ground Chuck” offense. The Seahawks trade their first-, second- and third-round picks to the Oilers to move into the third spot so they could select the Penn State running back. Warner rushed for 1,449 yards and 13 touchdowns as a rookie and finished his seven-season stay in Seattle with 6,705 rushing yards, 55 rushing TDs and three Pro Bowl berths.

2003: Marcus Trufant is selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, thanks to an assist from former Seahawks tight end and then-Vikings coach Mike Tice. When the Vikings let their time elapse before making a selection at No. 9, the Seahawks jumped in and grabbed the former Washington State cornerback with the 11^th pick overall. Trufant has started 123 games, was voted to the Pro Bowl in 2007 and named the Seahawks’ 35^th Anniversary team.

2008: Lawrence Jackson is selected in the first round of the NFL Draft, which also delivered tight end John Carlson (second round) and defensive lineman Red Bryant (fourth round). Jackson, a defensive end from USC, started 24 games in two seasons before being traded to the Lions.

Chris Warren was an overlooked entity in a 1990 NFL draft that also delivered defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy, linebacker Terry Wooden and strong safety Robert Blackmon.

Until, that is, the 6-foot-2, 226-pound Warren stepped on the field for the first time. Derrick Fenner had replaced Curt Warner as the Seahawks’ leading rusher, so the fourth-round draft choice was relegated to kickoff and punt return duties.

“He’s got to be the biggest punt returner in the history of the league,” then-coached Chuck Knox marveled while watching Warren field punts behind his back during practice.

Warren also flashed some nifty moves once the games began, as he led the club in kickoff and punt return average as a rookie and also for the next two seasons. But it’s when Warren was finally allowed to play running back that he really got busy.

He rushed for 1,000-plus yards four consecutive seasons (1993-96), including a career-best and AFC-leading 1,545 yards in 1994. He scored 16 touchdowns in 1995, then the club single-season record. He also averaged 40 receptions from 1994-97.

Warren was voted to the Pro Bowl in 1993, 1994 and 1995, and named team MVP in ’94 and ’95. When he was released in 1998, Warren left as the team’s all-time leading rusher (6,706) and ranked second in rushing touchdowns (44).

Not surprisingly, Warren also ranks as the best fourth-round draft choice in franchise history.

And that’s saying something, considering that the competition includes kicker John Kasay (1991), who led the team in scoring for four consecutive seasons; linebacker Dean Wells, who led the team in tackles in 1996; defensive end Phillip Daniels (1996), who led the team in sacks in 1999; linebacker Isaiah Kacyvenski, who led the club in special teams tackles in 2000 and 2001; defensive end Red Bryant, who blocked four kicks and returned an interception for a touchdown last season; and linebacker K.J. Wright (2011), who played his way into the starting lineup as rookie.

We’ve finally reached draft week, with the first round coming on Thursday night. Mike Sando at ESPN.com looks at some concerns for each of the teams in the NFC West, including the Seahawks: “The team has no fifth-round pick thanks to the Marshawn Lynch trade. But after signing quarterback Matt Flynn and helping the pass rush with Jason Jones’ addition, the Seahawks should face little pressure to draft for need in the first round. The Seahawks would ideally move back from the 12th overall slot, adding picks – perhaps a fifth-rounder to make up for the one Seattle sent to Buffalo. The team could use a starting middle linebacker. There’s good depth at that position in this draft, meaning the Seahawks can come out OK even if Luke Kuechly is not available. Seattle found starting linebacker K.J. Wright in the fourth round of the 2011 draft, which had less depth at the position.”

Speaking of the draft, former Colts and Bills GM Bill Polian rates the 32 NFL teams on their drafts the past three years. It’s an Insider feature at ESPN.com, so requires registration and a fee. But here’s what he has to say about the Seahawks: “Best value pick: DB Richard Sherman (2011: Rd. 5, 154). Cornerstone pick: DB Earl Thomas (2010: Rd. 1, 14). Seattle has done a good job of putting valuable pieces in place on all sides of the ball. If free-agent acquisition Matt Flynn solves the problem at QB, this is a team on the rise.”

Jerry Brewer at the Seattle Times says the Seahawks are preparing for the draft with an air of confidence: “A year later, it’s easy to see what time, maturation, player development and good decision-making has done for the franchise. The Seahawks went 7-9 again last season, but they grew up while doing so. A playoff nucleus is developing. In free agency, they signed quarterback Matt Flynn to go with Tarvaris Jackson. They’re not in infancy anymore. ‘We’re definitely at a different place,’ Schneider said. And how does stability translate to this NFL draft? It allows the Seahawks to be mysterious, of course, even though they have some clear needs.”

Also at the Times, Danny O’Neil looks at the decision the Seahawks must make at linebacker: “This year, there are a number of top-notch inside-linebacker prospects, starting with (Luke) Kuechly, Alabama’s Dont’a Hightower and California’s Mychal Kendricks, the Pac-12 defensive player of the year. Seattle has an opening in the middle of its defense after letting (David) Hawthorne walk away as a free agent, even though he led the Hawks in tackles the past three seasons. But he came up against the reality that this year’s draft includes some very appealing middle linebackers, from a top-shelf selection like Kuechly to the middle rounds and on through the end. ‘This is a year where, for us, there are a number of attractive linebackers,’ ” (GM John) Schneider said

Dave Boling at the News Tribune says cooler heads are prevailing in the Seahawks’ draft room: “Listen to the words. John Schneider is calm and in control. He has plans and contingencies. He’s a master of the variables; weights and measures, mass and velocity. And he’s ready for the varied ways this week’s NFL draft might unfold in front of him. For instance, the Seahawks’ general manager says that No. 12 is ‘a really cool place to pick.’ But if events warrant, ‘then we feel comfortable with the way we’ve prepared that we could go back, too.’ Stay there, move around, bob and weave. Sure. Schneider’s playing the cool hand. Just listen. But as he speaks, his legs are bouncing beneath the table fast enough to cause the room to vibrate. That’s how these guys are at draft time, all subsurface energy beneath the poker faces. There’s a whole lot more going on than any of them want you to see.”

Also at the News Tribune, Eric Williams says the Seahawks have few holes to fill entering the draft: “Now in the third year of the team’s rebuilding effort, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll and Schneider said the team’s roster has been overhauled enough that with the No. 12 overall pick, there’s less urgency to draft for need, allowing Seattle to take the best player available. ‘We’re definitely at a different place,’ Schneider said. ‘When you look at the draft in particular and some of the areas in free agency that we’ve addressed, I think it put us in a position to just let the draft kind of come to us and not feel like we need to move around or not do anything that would put the organization in jeopardy in any one position.’ ”

Also from Williams, a look at UW running back Chris Polk: “NFLDraftScout.com ranks Polk as the No. 5 running back in the draft. Only Alabama running back Trent Richardson is projected to go in the first round. Teams such as Denver, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Tampa Bay and the New York Giants could view Polk as a nice change-of-pace back who can also play on third down because of his natural catching ability. ‘Me, personally, I just sees passes as an extended carry,’ Polk said. ‘I’m not going to fumble the ball, and I’m not going to drop any passes. Just come my way and trust in me, and I’ll get the job done.’ ”

 
John Boyle at the Everett Herald wonders if, and when, the Seahawks might select a QB in this draft: “The Seahawks hope they found their quarterback of the future when they signed Matt Flynn last month. That does not, however, mean they won’t keep looking for players at the game’s most important position when the NFL draft begins Thursday. Since taking over as the Seahawks general manager two years ago, John Schneider has repeatedly said that he’d prefer to take a quarterback in every draft, regardless of need. That’s a philosophy he brings with him from Green Bay, where the Packers would routinely draft quarterbacks despite having Brett Favre.”

Warren Moon, the Hall of Fame QB and analyst for radio broadcasts of Seahawks games, likes Stanford’s Andrew Luck, and Mike Freeman at CBSSports.com tells us why: “Last year, Warren Moon predicted Cam Newton would shock the NFL, and prove to be one of the best quarterback prospects we’ve seen in a long time. Moon was right. In fact, whatever Moon has said to me about quarterbacks, it’s proven correct. Maybe that’s because he’s one of the best to ever play the position. He was right about Newton and what he says about Andrew Luck bodes well for Luck. Moon, like he did with Newton last year, has been tutoring Luck. Moon thinks the Colts are getting a player that ‘doesn’t have any weaknesses. None. Here’s the thing about Andrew that people need to realize. He does things better than almost any prospect I’ve ever seen. Does he do anything out of this world? No. But he does everything really well. Few quarterbacks actually can do that.”

The beat writers who cover the team took a field trip to the Nike campus last week and filed reports for Sunday on the Seahawks’ new-look uniforms.

O’Neil at the Seattle Times focuses on the design, as created by Todd Van Horne and his staff: “One of the first things you notice about the Seahawks’ new uniforms is one of the last things that Todd Van Horne brought up. He didn’t mention the feathers for a good 23 minutes. Nike’s global creative director for football and baseball talked about the stretch-woven fabric, the aluminum belt buckle and the fact the jersey numbers actually stretch before the conversation turned to the uniform’s appearance. This is significant because while Nike has a reputation for revolutionary designs, appearances aren’t the only innovation in Seattle’s new uniforms. You need to look deeper, turn the uniform inside-out, so to speak, to see how much effort and expertise went into it. ‘Everything we’re going through is to help them succeed within their athletic endeavors,’ Van Horne said. ‘We often say what’s next to the athlete’s skin is almost the most important thing.’ ”

Williams at the News Tribune offers a behind-the-scenes look at the tour: “Nike offered a rare, behind-the-scenes glimpse at the research and development aspects the company used in designing the team’s new uniform to Seattle-area reporters this week. That tour included an afternoon spent in Nike’s research and innovation arm – appropriately located in the Mia Hamm building on the picturesque campus located on 190 acres dedicated to building higher functioning athletic wear. ‘Seattle was the one team that wanted all the innovation that we had, and wanted to reinvent their uniform as an extension of their brand at the same time,’ Van Horne said. ‘I know as neighbors here in the Northwest, we were really proud of that, that they were the ones that raised their hands first.’ ”

Here at Seahawks.com, we continue our series of articles previewing the draft with a look at the defensive linemen: “When the Seahawks go shopping for defensive linemen, they hang in the aisles not necessarily frequented by other teams. That’s because they play fast and furious at the “Leo” end spot with 254-pound Chris Clemons, who has produced back-to-back 11-sack seasons during his first two years in Seattle; but big and bold at the five-technique spot with 332-pound Red Bryant, who returned one of his two interceptions last season for a touchdown in addition to daring teams to run his way. At tackle, they moved Brandon Mebane from the three-technique to the nose last season and all he did was lead the NFC interior linemen in tackles; with the length and leverage of 6-foot-6 Alan Branch taking over at the spot Mebane vacated. The efforts of this foursome are a big reason the Seahawks ranked ninth in total defense in 2011. But coach Pete Carroll wanted more heading into free agency, and wants still more entering next week’s NFL Draft.”

There’s also a closer look at the D-linemen in this draft class, as well as a Q&A with Whitney Mercilus.

We’ve also starting looking at the top draft choices by round in franchise history. You can check the selections for the late rounds, seventh round and sixth round.

The best-ever No. 6 pick in the first round of the NFL Draft? It was Walter Jones, who came to the Seahawks with that selection on 1997. Says who? Elliott Harrison, in this photo essay at NFL.com: “The sixth spot in the order has produced some guys who imposed their will on games … James Lofton (1978), John Riggins (1971) and Floyd Little (1967) were all picked just outside of their respective draft’s top five. But none of them — or any sixth pick — dominated the way Jones did. The former Seahawks left tackle was a nine-time Pro Bowler and at one time was the very best in the game.”

The Seahawks receive a B for their free-agency activity from Alex Marvez at FoxSports.com: “The Seahawks did a far better job than Miami in courting Green Bay quarterback Matt Flynn, who will now compete with Tarvaris Jackson for a starting spot. The re-signing of running back Marshawn Lynch and defensive end Red Bryant insured Seattle will keep two of their best players. … The Seahawks must hope they’ve made a better talent evaluation with Flynn than Jackson and Charlie Whitehurst. Both were backups from other teams that failed to cement themselves as starters when given the chance in Seattle.”

With the NFL to announce the 2012 schedule today, Mike Sando at ESPN.com has some simple requests for the Seahawks, including: “Fewer earliest possible kickoffs, please. Seattle played five games at 10 a.m. PT last season. The Seahawks actually won two of them, but teams traveling West to East have long complained about the challenges associated with playing so early. They would much rather play later no matter how well certain Western teams have fared in these games at various times.”

Here at Seahawks.com, we look at the start of the team’s offseason program, which began with a series of screening tests: “The Seahawks’ offseason program began Monday, but not with the pop of shoulder pads or even a tweet from coach Pete Carroll’s whistle. What the players did on their first day back after an extended break – complements of the new CBA which ended the 136-day lockout that erased the offseason last year – was complete a series of screening tests that will allow head strength and conditioning coach Chris Carlisle and his staff to personalize the weight training that will be Tuesday. ‘They say it helps them know what your body can and can’t do, and give them ways they can help improve you,” said Lemuel Jeanpierre, who started the final four games at right guard and another at center last season. ‘Different people have different needs, like maybe with your flexibility. So you go in there and try to give them your best, because we know what’s coming up this offseason.’ ”

Tony Ventrella also takes a look at the activity in this video report.

Jason Cole at YahooSports.com takes a look at the offseason to this point, including the winners and losers in free agency and the best free agents still available: “In an offseason dominated by a Hall of Fame quarterback and a Pro Bowl defensive player changing teams, not to mention a raging controversy about bounties, important issues still linger going into next week’s NFL draft. One is a premier quarterback negotiating what will likely be the biggest contract in league history. Another is a top all-around running back working out a new deal under the threat of sitting out the season.”