We’re going to do a live stream at 2:30pm PT on Sunday to discuss the game and the pre-season but for now, here are some notes…

It was a sloppy defensive performance by most of the backups, with the Browns gaining 17 passing first downs and dominating time of possession by 11 minutes. However, several players flashed and the starting unit made an impression in their only series.

There’s absolutely no doubt that Seattle’s best defensive group, combined with Mike Macdonald, will create a vastly improved unit this year. We’re yet to see Macdonald at his most creative. It’ll be fun to see what he can cook-up against a rookie quarterback in week one.

There will be difficult decisions in the coming days. Dee Williams has shown well as a return man but he doesn’t really offer much other than that. They tried him at cornerback late on and he gave up the last touchdown of the game. Dee Eskridge, for all his faults, might be able to offer more as a receiver and gadget player. He might’ve timed his punt-return touchdown perfectly in terms of boosting his chances of staying on the roster. I’m not sure anyone will sign Williams away, so he might be a stash for the practise squad. Is his return ability that good that it gets him on the 53-man roster alone? I’m not convinced.

Laviska Shenault could shove both of them out, of course. He might not be the same level of returner but he can do a lot for the team as a runner/receiver. Plus the block he had today on the Kenny McIntosh touchdown run was sublime.

It was interesting to see Mike Morris play as many snaps as he did today and throughout pre-season. My read on this is either they feel like he needs the conditioning/reps — or he’s perhaps more on the bubble than people realise.

Two sacks and three QB hits tonight for UDFA Jamie Sherriff showed why the Seahawks were so willing to move on from Darrell Taylor. As the ‘next man up’ off the edge, Sherriff has shown he can do a job. He’s also cheap — and even if he doesn’t make the roster, assuming he sticks on the practise squad — he’ll always be there to provide depth when needed. Unfortunately with Uchena Nwosu suffering a knee injury, that could also be a boost for Sherriff who just looks like a great fit for Macdonald’s defense. If he makes the team, it’ll be a remarkable story. He’s certainly someone to root for this week.

It was great to see the togetherness of the group, especially celebrating the Kenny McIntosh touchdown run and the Eskridge return.

McIntosh and George Holani should both be kept for me. The Seahawks need running back depth and they are two players who showed they can play in the league.

It’s clear that Anthony Bradford has won the right guard job. I’m not sure how to feel about this. The Seahawks drafted a pure right guard in round three this year and he couldn’t beat out Bradford? It already seems like they’re trying Christian Haynes at the left guard spot to try and provide depth — but we saw how that messed with Damien Lewis’ comfort levels. Given the Seahawks reportedly looked into trading up for the left sided Cooper Beebe — and considering the other attractive options available in the late third round — I hope Haynes doesn’t just end up being a backup.

It was great to see Ryan Grubb really attack the Browns on offense with that first drive and they looked like a fine-tuned machine. I think we’ve seen a hint at what the Seahawks are going to be like there — and they showed they can run the ball too. It was an exciting glimpse into Grubb’s vision.

Brady Russell, Jake Bobo, McIntosh and Holani —- I think these four players have a chance to end up providing really useful depth this year and could find a knack to make some key plays. I’ve got a feeling Russell could end up being a bit of a find for the Seahawks — he has the traits, the clutch-ability as a catcher, he’s a very willing blocker and he just has the personality of a NFL tight end.

Not many defenders played very well late in the game but Mario Kendricks and Patrick O’Connell had a good go. I think Tyrice Knight has done a good job during pre-season overall. Nehemiah Pritchett and DJ James showing a mix of potential but also some errors.

This has been a very positive pre-season experience. The new staff has breathed life into the franchise and like everyone, I’m very much looking forward to the new season. I suspect there will be teething problems at times — but that’s OK. This is year one of a project that will likely take some time. However, the signs are all positive that the franchise is heading in the right direction.

I’ll finish with this — someone who has been around the Seahawks staff this summer reached out to me this weekend and spoke extremely positively about his experience and the future of the team under their guidance. Just passing that on.

Also, I noticed Trey Lance threw five interceptions today for the Cowboys. I’m still amazed that two people with the track record of Kyle Shanahan and John Lynch traded what they did for Lance, having reportedly not even scouted Patrick Mahomes as they intended to try and sign Kirk Cousins as a free agent. I can’t even believe there was even hype for Lance as a first round pick, frankly. It never made any sense at the time and it’s even more baffling today.