For the first time, this off-season Seahawks quarterbacks Geno Smith and Drew Lock spoke to the media. For the moment the two are locked in a tight battle to pick up where Russell Wilson left off. I say for the moment because until week one there will be questions on whether the Seahawks are bringing someone else to compete for the starting position.
On Wednesday it was just the Lock and Smith show after practice.
DURING PRACTICE
The mini-camp format as expected is standard. The team participates in a closed-door walk-through with no helmets for about 45 minutes. Practice is then moved outside beginning with a team stretch that is followed by individual unit drills. Four field goals are attempted starting from about the 35-yard line and moved back 8-10 yards. Then the fun begins with offense vs defense minus linemen from both units.
Smith and Lock are getting about the same number of reps with Smith getting more reps with the first unit. Coaches have said that is due to Smith’s familiarity with the offense.
OVERALL OBSERVATIONS
Smith’s presence with the offense is unmistakable. He has an awareness of where each player is. His confidence is also visible when dropping back and scanning the field. Lock to his credit has a good awareness of where the players are and delivers the ball in a zip-like fashion. Both have shown an ability to deliver the ball downfield and be surgical when delivering intermediate passes to the tight end and running backs.
HEALTHY COMPETITION
Both understand that the quarterback battle will not be won in June or July. Maybe August if there is a separation between the two. Doubt that will happen as coaches will want to see both players perform in game like conditions meaning both will get long looks in the preseason. Despite the high stakes of winning the quarterback battle both understand the importance of building each up for the sake of the team.
“Drew’s cool as heck man. I love Drew to death. Just getting a chance to know him, he’s got a lot of swag, he’s a young guy, he can throw it, he’s got all the ability in the world. He’s very smart, and just one of the guys. He’s one of the guys, he’s got a great feel for the locker room, guys love him, love talking to him. You see him rapping Jeezy and all that cool stuff, so he’s just one of the guys, man, I really like Drew.”
Smith on competing with and against Lock
“We both understand that we’re both trying to be the starter for this team. We’re not stepping on each other’s shoes, we’re not getting mad at one another. It’s just, ‘All right, he took it that day, I took it this day. I broke us down this time, he broke us down this time.’ They need to hear both of us, they need to feel both of us. It’s been really nice, it’s been really easy. I appreciate the way Geno has handled it, and I hope he appreciates the way I’ve handled it as well.”
Lock on competiting with and against Smith
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