Seahawks Camp Carroll: Day 19

Published on August 15, 2011 by Seahawks.Com News (Feed)     

A recap of the morning walk-thru at Seahawks training camp on Monday:

FOCUS ON

Russell Okung. On Thursday night, the team’s left tackle was taken to the locker room at Qualcomm Stadium on a cart after spraining his left ankle during the first series of the preseason opener. Today, Okung was back on the practice field.

Sort of. His handful of snaps came in the earliest portion of the 1 hour, 45 minute session that was held in the indoor practice facility at Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Rather than a helmet, Okung was wearing a Seahawks hat – backwards. Rather than full pads, he had no pads.

But the significance of his presence can’t be underestimated in his quest to get back in the lineup ASAP – but not so quickly that jeopardizes Okung staying in the lineup. He was able to jog to the drill. He even pulled and moved to his right on a couple of snaps.

When the walk-thru moved to the full-team drills, Tyler Polumbus took over at left tackle. He will start against the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday night in the preseason home opener at CenturyLink Field, and stay there until Okung returns.

But after what Okung showed today, that should be sooner, rather than later.

UNIT WATCH

Offensive line. The team put a lot of resources into upgrading this unit during the offseason. The top two draft choices were used to select tackle James Carpenter and guard John Moffitt, who are starting on the right side. Veteran left guard was signed in free agency to provide leadership and stability between Okung and center Max Unger. Tom Cable, the former Raiders head coach, was hired to oversee the line.

But how does the line look to the back who will benefit most from this makeover?

“My impression of them is they’re big,” Marshawn Lynch said after the walk-thru.

That they are, from the 6-8, 300-pound Polumbus; to the 6-7, 325-pound Gallery; to the 6-5, 305-pound Unger; to the 6-4, 319-pound Moffitt; to the 6-5, 321-pound Carpenter.

“But going against our (defense) you really can’t get the look that you’re going to see in a game,” Lynch said. “So it’s something I’m waiting to see how that forms up and jells together. But as of right now, I like what I see.”

PLAYS OF THE DAY

In a walk-thru? There were a few worthy efforts, and two tuned in by the defense stood out.

First, strong safety Kam Chancellor appeared with the suddenness of a jack-in-the-box – all 6 feet, 3 inches of him with his long arms fully extended – to make a leaping interception of a Charlie Whitehurst that was intended for wide receiver Isaiah Stanback.

Later, defensive end Raheem Brock reached up to grab a screen pass that Tarvaris Jackson was lofting to Lynch.

IN AND OUT

Tight end John Carlson continues to be sidelined and eight other players did not participate this morning: cornerbacks Kelly Jennings, Walter Thurmond and Byron Maxwell; wide receivers Kris Durham and Doug Baldwin; defensive linemen Jameson Konz and Pierre Allen; and offensive lineman Caz Piurowski.

Still on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, as they have yet to be cleared to practice: cornerback Roy Lewis, wide receiver Deon Butler, nose tackle Colin Cole and tight end Cameron Morrah.

Back after sitting out Sunday were defensive linemen Ryan Sims and Jay Alford.

UP NEXT

The players have meetings this afternoon and then are off tonight, as well as tomorrow. The next practice is Wednesday at 3 p.m. and it’s the final session of training camp that will be open to the public. You can register to attend here.

YOU DON’T SAY

“That was last year. That’s over with.” – Lynch, when asked about the running game ranking 31^st in the league last season

Seahawks.com Blog | Camp Carroll: Day 19 «.

Tags: Center Max, Draft Choices, head coach, Home Opener, James Carpenter, John Moffitt, Left Ankle, Locker Room, Marshawn Lynch, Minnesota Vikings, Minute Session, Offensive Line, Offseason, Polumbus, Preseason Opener, Qualcomm, Seahawks, Team Drills, Tom Cable, Virginia Mason