Seahawks Training Camp Observations: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Eskridge Shine on Day 1
RENTON, Wash. - Bringing the doldrums of the offseason to an end and ushering in the official return of football, the Seattle Seahawks hit the practice field for the first day of training camp in front of hundreds of boisterous fans on the berm at the VMAC.
As expected on the first day of a new season, plenty of miscues happened between the lines, including a couple of botched shotgun snaps and uncharacteristic drops leading to interceptions. But overall, coach Pete Carroll was fired up to see his team hit the ground running and pick up where they left off at the conclusion of a successful offseason program.
"To see these guys come out and move as they did today, they worked really hard to get here," Carroll told reporters. "I'm really fired up about that because we don't want that to be an issue and it isn't... With this bunch of guys, we're so excited about it. I'm really feel blessed to be part of it. Things worked out well today, the guys were quick, we did a lot of stuff on both sides of the ball, we were able to install because the offseason was equipped for these guys to do so, and we're off and going."
What went down at the first camp practice? With a pair of speedy receivers leading the way, here are five observations from Wednesday's open session:
1. Screens - yes, screens - stood out as the biggest positive to kick off camp festivities.
While the Seahawks ranked in the top 10 in scoring offense in 2022, they continued to struggle mightily running screen plays, a chronic issue that has hampered the team's offense throughout the Carroll era regardless of who plays quarterback and who calls plays. With only two games left last year, they ranked dead-last in the NFL with a dreadful 13 percent success rate on screen plays despite having one of the most talented skill position groups in the NFL.
As Carroll made sure to point out in his post-practice press conference, big plays on offense need to be taken with a giant grain of salt in the first handful of training camp practices, as teams aren't allowed to tackle and contact is prohibited by NFL rules. Still, even in non-contact situations where the defense isn't actively tackling, executing on screens has been a rare occurrence for Seattle, which made Wednesday's explosion of successful screens such a pleasant surprise.
During the Seahawks 11-on-11 scrimmage time, first-round pick Jaxon Smith-Njigba got the party started on a slot bubble screen, showing off his elite quickness and acceleration shooting through the teeth of the defense after the catch to delighted cheers from the crowd. Only a few plays later, tight end Colby Parkinson got in on the action snagging a well-executed tunnel screen for a 20-plus yard gain. Capping off the flurry of explosive plays, Dee Eskridge ripped off a 40-yard gain on a bubble screen of his own, showing off his blazing 4.3 speed racing to the sidelines.
Until Seattle finds a way to improve success on screens in actual games, expectations need to be tempered considering the team's ugly track record in that department. But with two capable after the catch maestros in Smith-Njigba and Eskridge as well as capable tight ends and running backs for screens, there's viable reason for optimism as evidenced on the field - at least for a day.
2. Eskridge and undrafted rookie Matt Landers provided the biggest fireworks offensively on opening day.
Away from their trio of long gains in the screen game, fans also were able to witness a few deep passing plays that went for six during Wednesday's scrimmage time, but they didn't come from the usual suspects DK Metcalf or Tyler Lockett. Early in the first team session, Landers, who averaged nearly 20 yards per reception in his final collegiate season at Arkansas and became known for his big play tendencies as a vertical threat, created instant separation on a deep crosser and quarterback Drew Lock hit the speedy 6-4 receiver in stride, allowing him to coast for a 50-plus yard touchdown reception.
Later in the session, Lock again torched the defense deep, this time connecting with Eskridge in a contested catch situation on a crossing pattern. The former second-round pick, who has been hampered by injuries in his first two seasons, pulled the football away from the defender and was off to the races, scoring from 60 yards out with a rain of applause from the berm. Adding in a nice diving catch, it was easily Eskridge's best practice as a Seahawk with a pair of lengthy scores showcasing his home run-hitting ability and explosiveness in space.
3. Depth at cornerback was on full display with projected starters Riq Woolen and Devon Witherspoon inactive.
Hours before Seattle took the field, reports surfaced from Adam Schefter of ESPN indicating the team was in the midst of a contract impasse with Witherspoon, who wasn't in attendance and now stands as the only draft pick in the entire NFL who remains unsigned. Meanwhile, though he has made great progress and likely won't be out for long, Woolen landed on the PUP list to open camp as he continues recovering from minor knee surgery, leaving the team short-handed at cornerback.
But even with Woolen and Witherspoon out, the Seahawks still fielded a formidable secondary with Mike Jackson and Tre Brown playing the boundary positions and Coby Bryant back healthy in the slot. Despite having limitations on playing the football, Jackson picked up where he left off as a starter a year ago early in the scrimmage period, swatting a pass out of Metcalf's hands for an incompletion on a slant route. Later in the session, Bryant got his hands on the ball for a pass breakup defending an out route, drawing praise from defensive backs coach Karl Scott from behind the play.
After selecting Witherspoon fifth overall, the Seahawks have a wealth of riches at cornerback that stacks up favorably against any team in the NFL. Wednesday's practice demonstrated that impressive depth with three players in Jackson, Brown, and Bryant who could start for a number of teams. Following several seasons of playing musical chairs, it's a good problem for Carroll and his staff to deal with, as they will have arguably the best reserve options available in the entire league if injuries strike.
4. Newcomers - and returning veterans alike - contributed with standout plays for Seattle's defense.
Without the ability to tackle or play aggressive coverage, it can be challenging to assess defensive players in the first week of training camp before the pads come out. But several new faces - and one not-so-new one - emerged as standouts to open camp on Wednesday, starting with safety Julian Love. Sporting his No. 20 jersey in front of fans for the first time, he registered a pass breakup early in the scrimmage and then benefited from a fortuitous bounce when Metcalf couldn't handle a crosser thrown by Geno Smith over the middle, snagging the deflection for his first interception with his new team.
In the middle of the defense, as echoed by Carroll post-practice, Bobby Wagner's presence back in his No. 54 jersey already paid dividends for Seattle's defense. Returning to his post at linebacker as if he never left for a season in Los Angeles, he could be seen barking out calls and taking players such as free agent signing Devin Bush off to the side for on-field instruction. He also set a positive example as he has for more than a decade, chasing down plays sideline to sideline even in his 12th training camp.
Up front, at the other end of the spectrum career-wise, rookie outside linebacker Derick Hall made several nice plays positioning himself to make tackles off the edge and in the backfield. The second-round pick also won a couple of times in the pass rushing department, including walking back tackle Stone Forsythe into the pocket for a quick pressure, making a solid first impression as he battles for playing time in a competitive edge rushing group.
5. Veterans on the PUP list appear to be close to returning from injury, albeit with unique timetables.
In addition to the Witherspoon news, the Seahawks placed six players on the physically unable to perform list before practice, including safety Jamal Adams and linebacker Jordyn Brooks. These moves were expected with both star defenders coming off significant knee injuries, while it also wasn't surprising to see defensive tackle Bryan Mone or Woolen deactivated to start camp coming off knee surgeries of their own.
Though Carroll wasn't willing to guarantee that Adams or Brooks would be ready for Week 1, he indicated that both players came to camp in "really good shape" and they expect them to make it back right. With the season opener still more than a month away and plenty of time left to ensure they are fully healthy, however, Seattle won't rush either player back into action as they continue to round back into football shape. The same can be said for Woolen and tight end Noah Fant, who each underwent minor knee procedures and have progressed to full-speed running.
At this early juncture, it's far too early to know when Adams, Brooks, and the rest of Seattle's veterans on the PUP list will be activated and back participating at practice. But based on Carroll's comments, optimism - though somewhat guarded - remains that the majority of those players will be back at some point during camp once they receive clearance from the team's medical staff.
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