The first sizable casualty of training camp?

by: Chris Sullivan

Frank Hughes is reporting that Red Bryant was absent from practice today, and when prodded, Holmgren “actually seemed a bit concerned.” It sounds like my favorite beast from the Lonestar State has injured his knee and it could be serious. Hughes is saying that it sounds like there will be an MRI to check everything out.

UPDATE: Clare Farnsworth is reporting that the preliminary results on Red’s knee tests are bad, and he may need arthroscopic surgery to repair damage to his left knee. Final results should be coming within a couple of days. We’re rooting for you, Red! (Thank you Zed for the link in the comments).

If anything else develops, we’ll update you guys as soon as we hear it, but it will likely be a couple of days before we know anything. Do bear in mind that this almost certainly means no Red Bryant at the scrimmage on Saturday. Womp wah.

Also, the comment server seems to be having some trouble today, slow in showing comments and not registering them on the main page where it would normally say “Comments (3)” it just says “Comments”. They are being posted though, just seems like a little delay. It appears now that comments don’t show up unless you leave one, so, y’know. Do so if you want to see the comments. hah. ~END~

Brandon Mebane Write-up

by: Chris Sullivan

Friend of the blog, Danny O’Neil has another quality write-up, this time on my favorite addition to the Seahawk Family of 2007 – Brandon Mebane. The quotes in this thing are just fantastic, read the whole thing, but here’s a sampling:

“Remember when Fred Flintstone used to work at the quarry?” guard Mike Wahle said. “There were all these gigantic rocks sitting around. That’s like Mebane when you run into him.”

So, here’s a question for you guys out there in Seahawkland: Who will be the biggest Seahawk addition this year? I think everyone, other than me, would say that Kerney had the biggest impact on the team last year, but I think Mebane was a not-too-distant second place. Will it be Carlson or Jones? What about my boy Red Bryant? What do you think? ~END~

Morning Practice Discussion Thread

by: Michael Steffes

Hello, daily readers. I have gotten hung up with some non-football related stuff that demands my attention. Especially because I am leaving town next week. Don’t worry the blog will still be updated regularly while I’m gone.

As for today, not so much. I started this thread so that all of you could fill in practice updates and discuss, if you want. It is entirely possible there will be other writers posting, but they have day jobs. So you get this! Enjoy. I will see you on the flipside. Maybe we will have something fun to discuss tonight! Thanks. ~END~

ESPN Commits Caption Failure

by: Mike Parker

I take back everything negative I said about ESPN. Clearly, they know exactly what they’re doing, as they’ve just proven in not one but two separate photo captions from Seahawks’ training camp this week:

The first is available here, and incorrectly lists Logan Payne as “Logan Ryan.” (At least the ladies are gonna love Payne’s GQ stubble in that one.)

The second is here , and it lists Deion Branch as Deion Grant, and then a factual inaccuracy about Grant’s health. (At least that’s consistent given the Deion mix-up to begin with.)

Good to know ESPN knows what they’re talking about, huh? Excessive Seahawk Pigeonholing Network, indeed.

On a less-disgruntled note, here’s a great write-up on Steve Vallos by Clare Farnsworth. Some of you have been mentioning how it’s great that Vallos is getting some reps with the first-team offense in because of the insurance policy value he’ll hold if anything else happens to Spencer or Gray, and I couldn’t agree more. -END-

Center Position, Clearly an Issue

by: Michael Steffes

It has been tossed around here for several days, but the Seahawks center crisis is getting some notice. PFW has posted this blurb. Essentially, it covers the facts. Spencer and Gray are out, Vallos and Wrotto are getting the snaps. This should be remedied in a week or so. In the meantime, I thought I would give you my impressions.

Clearly the team would benefit from having Spencer taking reps with the rest of his starting mates. Gray sitting out doesn’t bother me a bit. He knows the line calls. He has seen every situation before. Spencer doesn’t have that luxury. However, in the grand scheme of things, I consider the Hawks fortunate. Ask Tony Dungy and Peyton Manning.

In a way, having Vallos take the first team snaps is really good for the team. While it is nice that the Seahawks have a first round center, a rarity, it is not a necessity that centers come from great pedigree. In fact, often guys like Robbie Tobek end up in the Pro Bowl, despite his QB making fun of his athletic ability. In a way, having Vallos take all these snaps helps create an insurance policy. If Spencer doesn’t get it, or gets hurt, at least there is some familiarity. In a best case scenario, Vallos shows the coaches he is one smart cookie and capable of running this line. Now then we would have some depth, right. If you want more on Vallos, Clare Farnsworth has done a nice piece on him for tomorrow. Check it out.

Anyway, I know you have been dying for my 2 cents on the centers, so there you have it. ~END~

Moon Avoids DUI….. Again

by: Michael Steffes

Warren Moon, HOF QB, and Seahawks broadcaster has pleaded guilty to negligent driving. Moon will have to spend either two days in jail, or five days of house arrest. He is lucky. This is his second offense like this. Please Warren, Seahawk fans love you, no more. Danny O’Neil has the article. ~END~

Mack Strong Likes New Backs

by: Michael Steffes

Mack Stong was back at camp today. Not as a coach, and not getting ready for the season. Strong will be part of the FSN coverage of the Hawks. He will also be blogging for Seahawks.com every once in while.

He says that he is forcing himself to look at the Seahawks will a less optimistic, more critical eye. After these comments, I would say he might be having trouble with the transition, but maybe he is right. He should know.

First…“The personnel in the backfield is as good as any in the NFL, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it guarantees success.”

And…“That backfield is more talented than it’s been in years, with a mixture of youth and veteran leadership.”

Make of this what you will, it is probably a bit misplaced. But like Mack says, it is not about talent, it is about chemistry. This backfield should fit this team much better than the one of the last two seasons. ~END~

Who is #5 on the Defensive Line?

by: Michael Steffes

I touched on this briefly yesterday and it is getting some attention this afternoon. The fifth defensive linemen is one of the really interesting position battles to be watching right now. In fact, I am sure that teams around the league are watching it as well, wondering who might become available.

Tubby hasn’t gotten on the field yet, but two who are our there are Larry Tripplett and Howard Green.

Danny O’Neil mentions that Tripplett was getting a lot of penetration today. On a side note, I appreciate that Danny includes this type of info, because he mentions it was Tripplett’s penetration that led to DD Lewis laying wood on Julius Jones. Often, it is not the person who makes the big hit that does more than his job, but someone else who worked their tale off to set it up.

As for Howard Green, Frank Hughes mentions that he practically swallowed Justin Forsett today after coming through the line unblocked. He also mentions another sequence in which the line played poorly, however this is contradicted by Gil Haskell who said he liked the way the line run blocked today. Haskell also threw some praise TJ Duckett’s way, which is becoming almost as common as someone mentioning Logan Payne.

Both reports mention Charlie Frye looking good, despite an interception to Kevin Hobbs. Frye is going to be fine. I am interested in what all of you going to the scrimmage have to say about his play.

One other thing of note, is that Will Herring remains on the non-football injury list. This is going to become a problem. Linebacker was thin group to begin with, and Herring was supposed to take a key role on special teams. If this isn’t resolved soon, start taking note of teams where a veteran linebacker may become available. Also, Wesley Mallard, who would fill both roles as well, is not practicing. ~END~

Here Comes the Payne

by: Mike Parker

Every day since the start of training camp, my man-crush on Logan Payne has grown exponentially.

Dave Boling just gave me today’s reason why.

I know I have yet to see him play, as most of us still do, but I’m beginning to believe the hype surrounding this mysterious kid who was signed off the practice squad during the playoffs last year. The enigma of it is part of the intrigue, I think, but it’s also a massively comforting feeling knowing that we’ve got something of a secret weapon on our hands going into Week 1.

That is, of course, if Payne shows us he’s as good on gameday as he is on the practice field.

I don’t know about everyone else, but I’m personally banking on The Human Vacuum, as he’s suddenly being called, to make the #3 or 4 receiver spot on the roster.

Needless to say, with him and the rest of the explosive new faces in blue & green this year, Saturday’s scrimmage is going to be one hell of an exciting moment. -END-

Got Wall Space?

by: Michael Steffes

I just thought that I would alert all of you Fathead fans that they have FINALLY updated their Seahawks selection. They now are offering one Matt Hasselbeck in a life size wall graphic that will complete any Seahawk fans room. The best part… its not permanent. Bring it to your friends houses on Sunday afternoon. Here is the link to Fathead. Just follow it to the Seahawks section. As always, if you use this link, or the ad on the right side of the screen to purchase your #8 Fathead, you will be helping to support Seahawk Addicts in all their endeavors.

This is a good time to remind all of our wonderful readers that this site tries its hardest to be self sustaining. That means we need your help. Using Expedia, Seattle Teams Store, Stub Hub, and Fathead to make purchases helps put money in the SA bank account and goes to help us continue to expand the site. Podcasts now, who knows what is next, but regardless I am sure it will cost mucho dinero, so anything you do helps. If you can’t purchase anything, well than just check out what our sponsors have to offer. Thanks. ~END~