Before getting into Curtis’ notes, a heads up that at 3pm PT Rob, Adam & Robbie will be doing a live stream:
This is an article by Curtis Allen…
Yesterday’s Fan Fest was another great exercise by the team. Whereas last year’s event was more of an extended practice session, this year saw the team scrimmaging more and getting closer to the ‘Mock Game’ format that Pete Carroll employed in his last few seasons.
After warming up and doing some position drills, the team scrimmaged in set spots on the field. Typically, the starters on both sides would run a few plays, then the backups and then the third unit. Then they would run drills, such as a Red Zone drill with just the Quarterback, receivers and defensive backs. Then toggle back to scrimmages at another area of the field.
It was a thorough exercise and followed a lengthy padded practices yesterday. It appears the intent is to get the starters a healthy dose of work as things ramp up to more game action. Mike Macdonald confirmed that we will not see the starters play against the Raiders in the first preseason game.
Macdonald mostly kept the starters together. Darnold, Charbonnet, Smith-Njigba, Kupp, Barner, Arroyo and an offensive line of Jones-Zabel-Oluwatimi-Lucas were all present for just about every starter snap. At Right Guard, Bradford started and got about 60% of the snaps then moved to the second unit as Jalen Sundell got 40% with the starters. Tory Horton got a share of work with them and Robbie Ouzts came in for some plays.
The offense maintained its momentum from yesterday’s practice. The Offensive Line is starting to look more complementary and they did not allow the very talented Defensive Line to dictate the line of scrimmage. This was not a dominating performance by any means – at times they struggled to establish the run – but far closer to the ‘adequate/not terrible’ goal most of us had set in our minds for this upcoming season.
Like yesterday, this was a day where both sides had fantastic plays but the offense came out ahead. Tight coverage by Devon Witherspoon, Riq Woolen and Nick Emmanwori yielded some errant throws and batted balls. But Darnold also had some great precision throws for completions that were just better than the defensive backs’ efforts.
The run game was very active and similarly an even match with a slight favor to the offense. Zach Charbonnet had several impressive runs. And not necessarily big gains but he demonstrated a knowledge of the system and what is developing in front of him. On one nice run he patiently waited for Grey Zabel to clear his path and then darted through the hole. Another, Ouzts lined up and was the lead blocker who pretty well hammered Jamie Sheriff and cleared the way.
The tackles looked very good. Josh Jones and Abe Lucas were able pass protectors and more than willing in the running game. Mike Jerrell took most of the reps at Left Tackle with the backups and looked good as well.
That is not to say the Defensive Line had nothing to say about the situation. More than once, Charbonnet had the ball handed to him and had nowhere to go as they had gotten through and disrupted the offense’s intentions. Demarcus Lawrence was playing like we envisioned – bringing some toughness to the edge position and being a factor in the running game. He regularly either got into the backfield or set the edge and forced the runner inside where teammates were waiting to tackle him. The offense tried a jet sweep and Lawrence immediately sniffed it out and made the play for no gain.
On the whole, I would say the offense is well ahead of where they were at this point last year. Not only are most of the position battles on the Offensive Line coming into focus – I would say Oluwatimi has the center job mostly secured and Bradford is the lead horse at Right Guard with Sundell making a push – the smoothness and chemistry with which the whole unit operates is much more pronounced.
Let’s talk a little about the running game. Ever since Klint Kubiak and his assistants were brought in, we have been hearing and talking quite a bit about getting back to the running game.
I wanted to point out that this offense in 2024 had a very pass-centric attack. Their 37/63 run/pass split was one of the NFL’s most extremely unbalanced offenses. That may lead us to think that the offensive needle is going to shift wildly back the other way, with the running game taking the brunt of play calls.
That is not so. Klint Kubiak’s offenses have been right about the middle of the league in terms of run/pass splits. Last year in New Orleans, they had a 43/57 split. In 2021 in Minnesota they had a 41/59.
They regularly passed the ball, it was just far more balanced and the defense was able to rest.
There are going to be games where they pound the rock. But understand, these elements of the offense are going to work together and Kubiak will have no issue game planning for Sam Darnold to have a bigger role throwing the ball to his talented group of receivers as he sees the need.
Another feature of this offense that could be a great under-the-radar asset is they do not give the ball away easily. The Saints were tied for 11th in the NFL in giveaways last year with rookies Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener playing half the season at Quarterback. In Minnesota with Kirk Cousins running the offense, they were the #1 in team in the NFL with fewest giveaways.
Combine a balanced offense that does not cough up the ball with a defense with Top-five potential and the Seahawks are going to be one tough out week after week.
Ken Walker was sidelined yesterday and today with what Mike Macdonald described as foot soreness. Just some maintenance to keep him from further injuring himself. This once again throws into sharp relief the idea that Walker struggles to stay healthy. I think I am ready to endorse the idea that Rob has expressed that Charbonnet should be the starter and Walker should be the guy who can come in and break things open after Charbonnet tenderizes the defense a bit with some tough running.
Other Notes
— Jalen Milroe probably had his best day. He did not have a ‘catastrophically bad’ play in this session. He threw behind the receiver on a Red Zone crosser, and floated a pass to Ouzts in the flat that set him up for a good smack when he should have put more zip on the ball. But that’s about it. He had several gorgeous deep throws, finding Tyrone Broden often. He also found Plumlee on a deep post route that fell right into his waiting hands. They did let him run the ball on some designed plays, and watching him run is something to behold.
— It looks like Tory Horton will be involved in the return game. He took punts and kickoffs again in practice. With his impressive performances in camp this week, it feels like he has a spot reserved for him if he keeps his effort up. I could see him being a primary return man in his rookie year and having some snaps with the offense to keep the defense guessing.
— Before we get too excited about the offense, remember that this defense has been running some basic schemes. There are some new wrinkles showing up – one snap saw Leonard Williams on the left edge next to Jarran Reed, and Woolen and Witherspoon continued to swap sides – but Mike Macdonald and Aden Durde have yet to go full mad scientist and unleash some crazy combinations on the offense. Success at this moment in time is a function of the offense getting in rhythm and gelling. They will most certainly have struggles at times running the ball and picking up game-level blitzes, stunts and the like. For me, their progress to this point is earning my patience.
— Jacardia Wright showed some burst and speed with the third string offense with some good runs today. He looked like a player they might think about adding to the Practice Squad.
— AJ Barner has been a low-key effective member of the offense this offseason. In a Red Zone drill he had Emmanwori draped over him and caught the ball. They hand fought as he came down to get his feet in bounds and Barner won that play by hanging onto the ball and ripping through Emmanwori’s attempts to knock it out of his hands.
— Mike Macdonald noted that Christian Haynes has a pectoral injury, which is why he did not get any scrimmage reps yesterday and today. Talk about an injury coming at the worst possible time. Haynes had been trying to get a foothold in either the Center or Right Guard position. That said, if they feel comfortable with him at center, he might have secured a roster spot. If Jalen Sundell wins the Right Guard job, there is that chance that both Oluwatimi and Sundell will get hurt in a game. So, they may lean towards Haynes as valuable depth.
