Seahawks Training Camp Begins on Thursday

For all the Seattle Seahawks fans who have been waiting training camp begins on Thursday July 24. Temperatures are expected to be in the upper eighties into the nineties so brings back memories when the Seahawks used to train in Cheney Washington. 

The main thing going on this season will be seeing a lot of new faces beyond just the rookies and college free agents. You could say the old guard is gone and the Seahawks are raising up new ones. No longer we will be seeing players like Michael Bennett, Richard Sherman, Jimmy Graham who were traded, released or became free agents signing else where along with the retirement of Cliff Avril and Kam Chancellor because of career ending injuries. So we will be seeing a different look on the defense line well as tight end, a different safety, and cornerback.  The tight end position will be more of use at blocking to improve the running game although we will see an occasion pass thrown to them as well. It would be nice to see a running back to lead the team in rushing yards instead of quarterback Russell Wilson who is one player that is returning this season. The wide receiving position will not be a lot different other than the absence of Paul Richardson who signed a free agent contract with the Washington Redskins. The Seahawks will have the return of Doug Baldwin and Tyler Lockett along with a few other youngsters to compete for playing time. 

The running back position will be different with the release of Thomas Rawls who didn't have a very good season last year or the year before. It will be first round pick Rashaad Penny and last year seventh round pick Chris Carson competing for the majority of playing time. Carson missed most of last season however was the most successful runner when playing early on in the season. We will see whether the running game problem had to do with the backs or the offensive line. I expect it was the line because very few runners could have gained yards behind it except maybe Marshawn Lynch. With a new offensive line coach along with offensive coordinator we hope to see a good improvement to the line this year. Since the defense won't be as good as years past it is important that the offense get's going earlier in games instead of waiting until the second half. I am not saying it will be a bad defense just not up to the caliber it has been. We will have to see though of course.

The first pre-season game will be on August 9 in Seattle against the Indianapolis Colts. The second  pre-season game against the Chargers in Los Angeles has been announced to be carried on the NFL network for all of you who live outside of  the area. These games will be interesting because of the new faces whether they will make the final roster or not. Go Hawks!