Day 5 Rewind

by Brock Huard

After 5 days of watching Camp Mora I can confidently say there are more 11-on-11 team drills than any camp I have been around in the NFL. These team periods are ratcheting up the intensity, increasing the level of competition, and providing the coaches and management department a wealth of evaluative film. And here’s what I saw during the 2 plus hour padded practice at the VMAC:

1.I can’t get away from the defensive line drills, and either can Jim Mora. There is something special about watching 270 to 330 pound men move so violently and aggressively. And this is no knock on Dwain Board or Larry Brooks, the two D-line coaches over the last ten years in Seattle, but Dan Quinn has cranked up the volume and effort level with this group. Mebane was back and disruptive, Kerney continues to impress, Redding is a genetic freak, and Nick Reed, though well undersized,has a real feel for the game.

2.CJ Wallace likes to hit, he has an ability at the point of impact and in a very small space to detonate on a ball-carrier, whether it was Joe Newton on Saturday night or FB Dan Curran this afternoon.

3.Offensive Line Coach Mike Solari has a lot of work ahead of him over the next four weeks. Of any unit on this team, the offensive line feels the most vulnerable to me, especially as I see Walter Jones walking gingerly and players shuffling into different spots. Hasselbeck feels just as I do and told us today point blank, the best offensive lines are those that are the closest, those that bond and work as one. Can this group gel? Who will take the reins and bring this group together? Spencer and Sims must take the next step in their career and gain the trust of their peers and QB? Watch this group closely through camp, I will be.

4.Ken Lucas is making his presence felt, and is at his best closer to the line of scrimmage.

5.This afternoon brought the first full contact drill of camp and it was goal line 11-on-11. Reminded me of something Tom Moore, offensive coordinator in Indianapolis was always say, “The Goal line situation is like two guys going into a phone booth, and only one’s coming out.” What came out of today’s drill was some nice play action pass by both the 1’s and 2’s and impressive displays by both Duckett and Redding, two of the most physically gifted and unique talents on this roster.

6.Five days in and no sign of camp legs, the guys are still moving well and this schedule gets them off their feet. Day six will be a test, hump day to the week, and two practices with the first kicking off at 8:30.

7.Lastly, I must reiterate what Sarkisian said today about the facilities at the VMAC. The place has no equal in the NFL, it is almost surreal to sit on hundreds of feet of waterfront with immaculate fields and facilities. Sarkisian was blown away, flattened by the perfection in design and efficiency of the entire space. Cafeteria, training room, weight room, meeting room, film room, indoor facility, the complex really allows this team and staff to focus on the task at hand and it’s certainly not lost on those that work there or get the chance to visit.