The Seahawks began the teams last phase of the offseason with Tuesdays minicamp. The Seahawks are holding their mandatory three day mini camp this week. After the minicamp players will be on their own until the start of the mandatory training camp in July. Here are some key takeaways from head coach Pete Carroll press conference with local media.
EXCUSED ABSENCES
Several players were given excused absence from Tuesday’s practice and non bigger than Jamal Adams and running back Chris Carson. Carroll made it clear that both were player’s excused absences were due to family matters. Carson’s significant other is expecting a baby.
“He’s got a family thing that he’s working on that he needed to be there,” Carroll said Carson and regarding Adams Carroll had a similar response. “He’s got a family thing that he’s working on that he needed to be there,”
Defensive end Aldon Smith was the third player given an excused absence but Carroll did not give any specifics as to why he was not at practice. Three other players were held out of practice due to injuries. Running backs Rashaad Penny, Travis Homer, and rookie wide receiver D’Wayne Eskridge all watched from the sidelines. According to Carroll Penny had “ a little something cleaned up on the knee he injured in 2019.” Carroll said Homer has a calf injury and Eskridge has a big toe issue that flared up. All three players are expected to be ready for training camp in July.
CONTRACT WATCH
With Jamal Adams entering the final year of his contract any missed practice or lack of participation excused or not is going to raise eyebrows at the very least. I would add Duane Brown to the contract watch list. More on him in a moment. Both are valuable with the difference being the Seahawks paid a King’s ransom for Adams in acquiring from the Jets last season.
In case you forgot it the Seahawks sent the Jets two first-round picks (one in 2021, one in 2022), a 2021 third-round selection and safety Bradley McDougald for Adams, and a 2022 fourth-round pick. Adams in turn transformed the Seahawk’s defense and set an NFL record for sacks by a safety. Adams will be looking for top defensive player money. So far everyone is playing nice in the sandbox.
“It’s been ongoing and it’s been amicable throughout,” he said. “We recognize that he’s a fantastic football player. It’s a big contract process, but I know he knows he’s been treated with a lot of respect, and he’s been very respectful towards the club as well. They’ve been good talks, and just hasn’t been able to get settled at this point, but it’s coming. We expect him for camp and everything, it should be fine.”
Asked if he expected a deal to be finalized before the start of camp, Carroll said, “I don’t know that, but I know we’re counting on him being back at camp, and he wants to be at camp too, so we’re going do everything to make that happen.”
As for the 35 year old Brown he is entering the final year of the three-year $32.5 million extension he signed in July 2018 after his trade from Houston. The five time Pro Bowler is entering his 14th year in the league and one has to wonder how long can he be effective. Best guess is two years max. The Seahawks have done a good job of load management with Brown limiting his practice days.
“He’s a big part of what we’re doing and we’re counting on him being with us and we’ll look down the road together and we’ll see what’s the right thing to do,’’ Carroll said. “… We would love for him to be with us. If he wants to keep playing, we want him to keep playing.’’
BIGGEST TAKE
The contract situations are worth watching but they will get done soon or late. And yes the sooner the better. More troubling is the nagging injury to Penny who is also in his final year. Will he get a chance to show the team he is not injury-prone? Is Eskridge’s big toe issue an aberration or a sign of things to watch? With plenty of time before the training camp report date of July 27th, there is plenty of time for the players to lick their wounds.
