The Seahawks completed their final open practice. All Seahawks practices are now closed to the public. On the field, there was good news for the team’s tight end. Noah Fant returned to practice after passing his physical. Fant had a bothersome knee injury that hampered his performance in the latter part of the season. The nagging knee injury forced Fant to have off-season knee surgery.
I”’m feeling good and just trying to get all of the technique back, running the routes, and things like that, said Fant after his first training practice of the season.
COMPLETE NOAH FANT QUOTES
(On his second year in Seattle) “I wasn’t practicing at first. I was recovering from some stuff. It’s gone well so far. Getting used to having the pads on, running routes with Geno (Smith), and all of that stuff is a process through camp. It’s going good though.”
(On Geno Smith being the undisputed starting quarterback) “We know who our guy is this year whereas last year we were in between the two. It’s getting those quality reps and trying to get ready for the season.”
(On how long it’s taking for him to get to where he wants to be) “I’m still getting there, to be honest. It’s a process. I try to use up every single day until that first game. I try to be as clean as possible and get there. It’s still a process. I’m not there yet, but still working and getting there.”
(On if he feels physically back) “I wouldn’t be out here practicing if I wasn’t right. The training staff has taken care of me. Pete (Carroll) has done a great job of helping me out and taking care of me. I’m feeling good and just trying to get all of the technique back, running the routes, and things like that.”
(On if he feels limited) “I’ve been full-go, doing it all, and feel good.”
(On if he’ll play in a preseason game) “I’ll leave that up to the coaches and their discretion. I’m never going to turn down playing, but my main focus is being ready for Week 1 when we face the (Los Angeles) Rams and going from there.”
(On the tight end group) “I think it mixes up the offense. It kind of gives you multiple routes and directions you can go. I think all of us have the mindset to contribute as much as possible and go from there. I think it’s a good thing though.”
(On the confidence level of the tight end room) “I think the cohesion in our room is good. I think we all like playing and having fun with each other. I think it’s one of those things where we all are just looking forward to having another year together and going from there.”
(On being in a contract year) “It’s something that’s real; it’s there. My biggest focus is to make as many blocks as possible, catch as many passes as possible, and break as many tackles. That’ll put me in a good position if I’m able to do those things. All of the rest, some things are out of my control and some things are in my control. I just have to take advantage of my opportunities on the field and go from there.”
(On the character of the tight end room) “The tight end room is always a fun and laid-back group but has to get down to business. We’re in the trenches with the o-line, we have to catch passes and kind of have to do a little bit of everything. You can never be too high or too low, you just have to be ready to work every day and catch whatever is thrown at you, anything involving the game. I think that’s the biggest thing that describes our group.”
(On Drew Lock) “I think Drew (Lock) is doing great, to be honest. I think he’s grown a lot since he’s been here, just today he made this crazy, it was like a 40-yard, 50-yard pass for a touchdown. I mean he’s impressed me a lot. Coming in as rookies together to where he is now is like light years. So, he’s improved a bunch and I’m super happy for his improvement and I think the sky’s the limit for him. I think on this team we know our roles right, but I definitely have confidence in him and obviously, Geno (Smith) is our starter also.”
(On how Charles Cross and Abraham Lucas look this year) “Yeah, I mean, just in camp alone they’ve made things a lot easier. They know all the calls, they’re making the calls, and they’re communicating all those things, As a rookie, sometimes you get in positions where it’s like you have tons of things to worry about and it’s tough on the field as they’re going. But those guys are ready, those guys have put the work in and they’re making the calls out there communicating doing all these things. And it made things a ton times easier and they’re just going to keep climbing and climbing and getting better and better with that. Sky’s the limit for both of them, they’re both great players and I’m happy to have them next to me they make my life a lot easier.”
(On who the best trash talker is in the NFL) “I’d have to say, the guy that I deal with every day is Quandre Diggs. Other than that, I haven’t had too many trash talkers but Quandre is always saying a piece or two. So I’ll have to give that to him.”
(On Quandre Diggs trash talking style) “Just constantly talking, he’s just constantly got something to say. But in a good way. He’s constantly pushing his teammates and there’s not one specific thing that he says. He’s just constantly in your ear so it’s just one of those things.”
(On what he thinks about joint practices) “I mean, that’s kind of a double edge sword. I’ve had joint practices when I was in Denver. I liked them, I think that you still get those reps in games against other teams. So, it’s just depending on what coaches like, and obviously Coach Carroll or whoever it was who decided that we weren’t going to do that. I’m perfectly good with that either way. I think there are benefits and downsides to it.”
(On what he liked about joint practices in Denver) “It was a good change up, different guys. Guys coming to your facility or you’re traveling to somebody else’s facility. It’s a good change-up in the middle of camp. So I think that was the biggest thing.”
