Seahawks begin training camp under Mike Macdonald

  On a moderately sun-splashed Wednesday afternoon, the Seattle Seahawks started their first training camp under head coach Mike Macdonald.  Optimism, excitement, and focus abound. What would one expect under a new regime? Training camp brings the Seahawks one step closer to the preseason, one step away from the regular season. Following training camp, Macdonald stressed the importance of building a solid foundation off the field and a tempo-based practice regimen.

“The first thing it does is it reflects the confidence in how fast we’re playing, and the clarity, and how much guys know and how well they know it, “ said Macdonald. “ I just told the team we finished practice a bit under budget in the spring towards the end, which indicates how well we’re operating as a team on both sides. Today, we finished right at the marker, so that’s something that we’re going”.

Macdonald likened the fanfare associated with the first day of training camp to Christmas.

“It’s like Christmas, man. Like I say, you walk out of here, and it’s just a special place. This is the only place in the world that is like this. You pinch yourself that you have this opportunity to be here with these people and take advantage of this opportunity. So, here we are, and it’s a blessing.”

PRACTICE WAS CRISP AND YES TEMPO

As has been the case all offseason, the Seahawk’s practices have been crisp, intentional, and purposeful.  That is not a knock on practices under  Pete Carroll, more of an indictment on Macdonald’s intentionality about putting his stamp on the organization.

ROSTER SHUFFLING BEFORE PRACTICE

There was some good news on the injury for the  Hawks.  Linebackers  Jerome  Baker,  Tyrel Dodson, and cornerback Lance Boykin passed their physicals on Tuesday, which cleared the way for their full participation on Wednesday.  Guard Anthony Bradford and receiver  Dee Williams also passed their physicals, and Dodson, Baker, and Boyin were removed from the PUP list and cleared to practice. Before Wednesday’s practice, the Seahawks signed guard Ilm Manning. And released guard Tremayne Jr to make room for Manning.

UNABLE TO PRACTICE

Several players continued with their rehabilitation programs and did not participate on Wednesday. Abraham Lucas, Cameron Young, and  Jerrick Reed II did not practice as they continued their individualized rehabilitation programs. At the same time, he is running full speed.  McDonald’s did not have a specific time for when Lucas would return.

“The thing with Abe that’s tough is the guy works incredibly hard, so it’s a process right now. Timetable: I can’t tell you, but we’re looking at it. We’re trying to get there as fast as we can. I think it’d be fair to say that we’re hoping it’d go a little faster up to this point, but we’re in the process of bringing him back.”

 According to McDonald, Reed II and  Young are diligently working on getting on the field but was unclear on a specific return date.

“Those guys are on a little bit of different timetables, but Cam Young is here, he’s working hard. I’d say he’s a week or so out without putting myself married to a certain date, but he looks good. Again, all these guys have individual plans that we’re adhering to, so we’re confident he’ll be back sooner than later, “  added Macdonald.” J-Reed (Jerrick Reed II) looks great. The guy’s working his absolute tail off. We’ll see; that’ll be a little later than camp.”