The Seattle Seahawks held a mock game at Lumen Field yesterday instead of their regular training camp practice.
Here are a few takeaways from those who were present.
1
Drew Lock outperformed Geno Smith
The biggest story of the day was that Seattle’s quarterback competition finally showed some signs of life. Geno Smith has been leading the battle throughout the offseason but yesterday Drew Lock was the clear winner.
Lock began the game by completing his first 12 passes – a good omen if there ever was one. He finished 19/27 with one touchdown and no turnovers. Meanwhile, Geno Smith went 11/20 and was lucky to avoid an interception on an underthrow to Marquise Goodwin on third and long.
Seahawks' mock game is over. Good, efficient day for Drew Lock while mostly working with the No. 2 offense vs. the No. 1 defense. He went 19 of 27 with a TD pass and no turnovers. His five drives ended with two TDs, a field goal and two punts. Geno Smith was 11 of 20.
— Brady Henderson (@BradyHenderson) August 6, 2022
Even better, Lock did this work despite having a significant disadvantage in the competition category. Lock was playing with the second-team offense against the starting defense.
Lock now with his 5th series of game, against with backup offense against starting defense.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) August 6, 2022
This is only one practice so we shouldn’t look too much into it. However, at the very least Lock should have earned himself more reps with the starters.
2
A Richard Sherman appearance
Before the game began, the Seahawks got a visit from one of their franchise legends: former cornerback Richard Sherman. He was spotted chatting with head coach Pete Carroll during warmups.
Sherm's in the house 🏠 #SeahawksCamp x @boeing pic.twitter.com/k41itfEwFR
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) August 6, 2022
Sherman had been estranged from the team that drafted him for a few years after an ugly divorce in 2018, so it’s good to see him around again.
3
Darrell Taylor and Tariq Woolen flashed
Two of the team’s most-important young defenders came to play. Outside linebacker Darrell Taylor showed off his speed when getting to the quarterback.
Darrell Taylor as left outside LB continues to be a problem for 1st and 2nd-team RTs, TEs during this Seahawks training camp. Just faster off the edge, flying into the backfield with relative ease onto the QB
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) August 6, 2022
Meanwhile, cornerback Tariq Woolen continued to match wide receiver Marquise Goodwin, arguably the fastest player on the team. Woolen almost had a pick on Smith’s third-and-18 underthrow.
Tariq Woolen has been with WR Marquise Goodwin all camp. Geno Smith way underthrown ball with Woolen maintaining inside coverage throughout, nearly INT on 3rd and 18 after Colby Parkinson held Darrell Taylor steaming free off the edge in Seahawks mock game
— Gregg Bell (@gbellseattle) August 6, 2022
Woolen also flashed on special teams as a gunner.
Tariq Woolen showing off the speed as a gunner on the punt team. That could be a great role for him… Oh, well he went out of bounds for a penalty. Still flying down the field though.
— John Boyle (@johnpboyle) August 6, 2022
4
Jamal Adams at WLB
One of the issues Seattle’s defense had last year was strong safety Jamal Adams being asked to do things that are not on the sharper side of his skillset – namely dropping back into coverage against slot receivers and tight ends.
Yesterday, the defense changed things up by employing three safeties – with Josh Jones taking the No. 3 spot. That allowed Adams to drop down and play at weakside linebacker.
Seahawks using Jamal Adams right now as essentially a weak side linebacker, with Josh Jones in as a third safety.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) August 6, 2022
Make all the blitz-boy jokes you want. If Adams is used correctly he’s one of the most impactful defensive backs in the sport.
5
Solid day for Jason Myers
One of the points of concern for the Seahawks this year is at kicker, where Jason Myers struggled last season after a perfect 2020 campaign.
Good news: Myers connected on all three of his field goal attempts yesterday.
Jason Myers 45-yard field goal and he is 3-3 on the day. And Pete Carroll calls the mock game over at that point. Seahawks 17, Seahawks 13.
— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) August 6, 2022
The team brought in a kicker for a workout recently but did not sign him.
6
Only one minor injury
The Seahawks came out of the mock game with a relatively clean bill of health. Only one player suffered a minor injury. Head coach Pete Carroll said afterwards that defensive end LJ Collier tweaked his elbow.
Pete Carroll said LJ Collier "tweaked his elbow a little bit," but otherwise the #Seahawks came out of their mock game clean, injury wise.
— John Boyle (@johnpboyle) August 6, 2022
Otherwise, the team went unscathed.
The Seahawks will practice again today at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time, but it will likely be a low-key affair the day after a game.
