I like training camp, but I look forward to producing original content again. I've never been comfortable commenting on someone's commentary. The first step towards that starts tomorrow. I'm driving up to Seattle with my wife to watch the Seahawks intrasquad matchup. I'll come notebook in hand and will file a detailed report Saturday afternoon.

Seahawks Insider

This was an interesting practice, which ended with a two-minute drill in which both the first team and second team offenses scored game-winning touchdowns. Both offenses were bailed out by nice catches by their tight ends right up the middle of the field, John Carlson for the first team and Joe Newton for the second team.

The first team was facing a third and 5 when Matt Hasselbeck made a perfect pass over Carlson shoulder for the first down. Three plays later, Hasselbeck found Leonard Weaver on the left side for an eight-yard TD.

Good to see a Joe Newton mention, especially positive, especially with the second team. I would guess he's quietly a good step above Jeb Putzier. Putz sounds like he's lost the fire and I wouldn't be surprised if he ends his NFL career after getting cut. I mean, if he gets cut.

This is a good fingernail portrait of Seattle's 2008 passing offense. At its best, it will efficiently drive down the field, at its worst it will be slow, inexplosive and uncoordinated. For those in very deep FF drafts, remember Weaver will see a lot of touches this season.

Ben Obomanu continues to work out as the third receiver, alongside Engram and Burleson. To me, Obomanu looks solid and like he is getting more comfortable each day. Obomanu beat Lofa Tatupu on one downfield route, but Hasselbeck underthrew him and 51 was able to knock away the ball.

Obomanu looked lousy last year, but the kid is hard working and a decent deep threat--if. If he can fight for the jump ball, get separation and show better poise under pressure. Don't buy into any nonsense about a third year receiver jump, but Obomanu could make modest improvements and become serviceable.

Seahawks Blog

The center-QB exchange was a big issue this morning. No. 1 center Steve Vallos, who is there because Spencer and Gray are out, accidentally tripped QB Matt Hasselbeck on a play coming out from under center, which had Hasselbeck limping for several plays thereafter. No. 2 center Mansfield Wrotto, a true guard, struggled on the exchange with QB Seneca Wallace three times.

Vallos and Wrotto are not centers. And though we think of snapping the ball as one of the more fundamental skills in football, if you've never done it before, and now must opposite some of the fastest first-step defensive tackles in football, you're going to screw up. A lot. So, it's not ideal that Vallos and Wrotto are playing center, but detailing their daily struggles isn't adding much. Hopefully Vallos or Wrotto improve, the team needs a second string center not named Chris Gray, but there's just no way to improve without screwing up a bunch.

Talkin' Hawks

Hasselbeck was 4 of 6 in directing the No. 1 offense to its score – a pass into the left flat that fullback Leonard Weaver ran in for a 6-yard score. The key play was Hasselbeck laying a beautiful pass over linebacker Leroy Hill to rookie tight end John Carlson for a 27-yard gain on third-and-4.

Wallace was 5 of 7 in producing a score for the No. 2 offense – an 8-yard pass to wide receiver Joel Filani. The big play was almost a mirror image of the one turned in by the No. 1 offense, as Wallace displayed impressive touch on a pass that dropped over linebacker David Hawthorne to tight end Joe Newton for a 25-yard gain on fourth-and-8.

A nice detailed and dynamic description of the aforementioned 1st and 2nd team scoring drives.

PLAYER OF THE DAY
Carlson. Again? Again. The second-round draft choice continues to stretch the field, and catch the ball.

The best example of this was his big third-down catch in the two-minute drill. But Carlson also worked the middle well while making a couple more receptions.

His best play, however, might have been burying linebacker Matt Castelo with a solid block in a red-zone drill. Carlson has shown from his first practice that he can get open and catch the ball. What he needs to continue to show is improvement in his blocking.

Poor Matt Castelo, huh? Carlson can block, but doesn't block consistently. Burying a guy is nice, but a flashy block doesn't make up for a missed block. Nevertheless, Carlson is good, real good, and each positive report is a big "+" to the Seahawks passing offense. Like I said, I expect Carlson to be the story of the preseason. He will get lots of snaps, lots of touches and playing against a mix of starters, backups and scrubs should have some very nice games.

Update II:

Talkin' Hawks

This merits mentioning...

INJURY REPORT
The training staff is shutting down Pro Bowl defensive end Patrick Kerney until his strained left calf heels. The calf has bothered Kerney since the first practice Friday morning, and it acted up again at the start of the Sunday morning practice.

because fans should expect nagging injuries and a decline in play from Patrick Kerney in 2008. That doesn't mean he won't be good. That doesn't mean he can't be great. Kerney defied expectations last season. It means we shouldn't let one great season create a new baseline for expectations going forward. Kerney is 31, and even before tearing his pectoral in 2006, had recorded just 11 sacks in his previous 25 games. At that rate, that's about 7 sacks over 16 games. I'd be satisfied if Kerney can do that in 2008.

. . .

Update: The rest of the reports roll in with smidgen left to be said.

Seahawks Blog:

Courtney Taylor's hamstring is not pulled. It's not tweaked. It's not dinged or any of those other words that football coaches throw around to imprecisely diagnose an injury.

Taylor's hamstring is tight, however, which is why coach Mike Holmgren said the receiver was taking it easy toward the end of Monday's morning practice.

Meh. This will be the story with Taylor, unfortunately; he's talented and skilled but takes more than his share of bumps. And suffers. Hopefully his game won't suffer when it matters. This sounds precautionary and I expect Taylor back tomorrow.

Seahawks Insider:

Newly signed Bryan Gilmore also had a tough day, dropping a few passes, including one on a deep flag pattern.

Methinks it's his hands.

Owen Schmitt's feistiness came out on one play when he continued to block Brian Russell and the two got into a minor scuffle, slapping each other in the helmet a few times before separating. This is what Schmitt is going to make his name doing, antagonistic toughness. He also caught a swing pass and lumbered through the secondary, David Hawthorne bouncing off him when they made contact.

This stinks of perfunctory Owen Schmitt coverage. Well, you asked for it. He got into a fight with Brian Russell and "lumbered" into z-string linebacker David Hawthorne. We all want Schmitt to be great because he's a Hawk and because he does stupid thing like thrash his head with his helmet, but let's let Schmitt be great before we call for reports of his greatness.

. . .

To be updated as reports roll in.

Dave Bolling is first in with a look at one-on-one blocking drills.

In the past, only Mack Strong had much luck. The drill this year was a real eye-opener. Leonard Weaver stonewalled Lofa Tatupu, and then absolutely flat-backed Leroy Hill. I know, I know ... you don't believe it. Brothers and sisters, I saw it with my own eyes.

Everybody knows Weaver has some rushing and receiving talents, but the challenge for Weaver was to block. And if he didn't learn how, he wasn't going to get much time on the field. It's obvious he's taken this challenge head on. Julius Jones then did a great job against Julian Peterson.

Unfortunately, pass blocking wasn't really Weaver's weakness and he displayed significant prowess last season. Weaver's weakness is run blocking, specifically squaring up and exploding into a block while on the move. So, while it's good to see Weaver kicking ass pass blocking, that's not the stride he needs to take.

The guy who really showed up was back T.J. Duckett, who may have had his best practice as a Seahawk. He looked very strong up the middle...

As I've said, as long as Duckett does enough in training camp and in the preseason to be trusted with carries, he'll produce. After all the brouhaha about Justin Forsett looking better than Duckett in mini-camps, it's encouraging to see someone recognize that a quick, scatback out of pads is probably going to outperform a bruising interior rusher in non-contact drills, but it doesn't mean Duckett is slow or destined to be cut.

Logan Payne continues to be a real training camp star.

Payne is undoubtedly an excellent practicer, but the fawning over his play is betrayed by some simple facts. Whenever questioned about Seattle's four young wide receivers and who will emerge, the answer is almost always Courtney Taylor. Then Ben Obomanu. Then mention of Jordan Kent's athleticism/pedigree/growth as a wide receiver. Then praise about Payne. Not Payne will produce, just praise.

Payne didn't produce last preseason. If we look at all passes targeting Payne, 8, and then apply "The Hidden Game of Football" adjusted yards per attempt  (pass yards + 10*(pass TD) - 45*(interceptions thrown))/(passing attempts) formula, Payne tallied -1.25 yards per target. Payne wasn't targeted in Seattle's final two preseason games.

Despite being highly polished, Payne spent all of 2007 on the practice squad. Before the playoffs, Seattle signed him off the practice squad, but despite Payne suffering no injuries and the Seahawks suffering many, was never targeted or even activated.

Payne is your classic hard working, humble, white guy overachiever that gets mad pub around practice time but struggles to make the club. I wish him all the luck in the world, hope he proves me wrong-wrong, but for those expecting Payne to explode on the NFL this season, you're probably deluding yourselves.

Offense/Defense

Split End	Slot	Left Tackle	Left Guard	Center	Right Guard	Right Tackle	Tight End	Flanker
Nate Burleson Ben Obomanu Jordan Kent	Ben Obomanu LoganPayne	Walter Jones Sean Locklear FloydWomack	Mike Wahle Rob Sims MansfieldWrotto	Chris Spencer Chris Gray Steve Vallos	Rob Sims Chris Gray RayWillis	Sean Locklear Ray Willis SteveVallos	John Carlson Jeb Putzier Will Heller	Bobby Engram Courtney Taylor DeionBranch

Fullback	Quarterback	Running Back
Leonard Weaver Owen Schmitt David Kirtman	Matt Hasselbeck Seneca Wallace Charlie Frye	Julius Jones Maurice Morris TJ Ducket JustinForsett

Leonard Weaver

Stats

Highlights

Lowlights

Outlook

*Includes all games minus Week 10, Divisional Round and the second half of Week 3 and the first half of week 1.

Highlights

10/14/07

Leonard Weaver offered some small antidote to our rushing woes by way of receiving. When the ball hits his hands he's off, proving a mismatch for New Orleans linebackers. His ability to be a true threat out of the backfield gives Seattle's split-back and to a lesser extent I-back formations new life. With Pittsburgh, and in the early going, New Orleans sitting on our receivers deep, Weavers' ability to explode from underneath could provide an invaluable scheme buster.

11/18/07

Weaver had a fantastic half, and though he's not quite Strong's equal as a run blocker, he's so far better as a rusher and receiver that he's a net upgrade. Weaver busted some heads on his one run, but it was the play where he turned an improvised Beck dish into a drive changing third down conversion that I want to break down. It's 3rd and 5 on the Hawks second to last drive of the half. Seattle is split four wide, with Weaver in the backfield. The Bears bring pressure, Beck escapes, scrambles left, sees Weaver open and delivers a low line drive. Weaver grabs the pass, knocks Trumaine McBride out of his shoes, stays in bounds with a graceful tip toe and nets 8 yards and the first. What makes this play so exciting is the combination of sure hands, power and grace that Weaver displays. Few receivers in the league can blow up a DB one moment and then tiptoe inbounds for a first the next. Gold Star.

11/25/07

Weaver put an end to the madness and blocked a blitzing Witherspoon on a crucial third down conversion. Weaver has improved tremendously as a run and pass blocker since the preseason contest against the Pack.

12/9/07

On the fourth play of the Hawks' second drive, Clancy Pendergast cued up a nifty little five man blitz. Four interior rushers stunted into the line, creating confusion and occupying all five primary blockers. That allowed Matt Ware to come free from the outside edge. Unfortunately for Ware and the Cards defense, Leonard Weaver had his blocking shoes on. Ware is 6'2, 214; a somewhat large DB. That made it all the more fun to see him shot into the air. The funniest part, Weaver blocks Ware and then looks bemused by the results - like he's awed by his own strength.

1/5/08

Weapons Grade Plutonium: A lot of things went right to allow Weaver to rush 17 yards for the score. Foremost, Weaver is an excellent rusher for a fullback. After the snap, Spencer pulls out, but doesn't engage his man. Nevertheless, his presence still functions as a pick, which Weaver exploits perfectly, running behind Spencer until he has a clear angle to the right then cutting towards the sideline. That's where Engram is performing a very determined downfield block. Not dominant and maybe not even legal, but the officials were extremely permissive of holds, and what Engram did was by no means the the worst display of holding I saw in this quarter. (That would be Stephon Heyer grabbing a hold of Kerney's jersey and then falling backwards to the ground, taking Kerney with him.) At this point it's all up to Weaver to smell endzone, and he's does so admirably. Even getting airborne to cross the pylon.

Lowlights

10/7/07

Weaver badly blew a block on Alexander's lone meaningful rush. First play, first Hawk drive of the second half, and the type of blown block that gives you chills. He didn't whiff squaring up against a defender or get caught in traffic, he just ran into his own O-Line, right into Chris Gray's back, so that once Alexander bounced the ball outside, as he's wont to do, Weaver was behind Alexander.

1/5/08

Weaver: Right now, Weaver is a better rusher and receiver than Mack Strong ever was. That's not dig on Strong either, who had some solid seasons. What Weaver can't compare to Strong on is awareness. As a blocker, Weaver runs readily and makes solid contact. Because of his feet and overall strength, Weaver has the potential to be a very good blocker, but he just doesn't always know who to block. That's pretty crucial, of course. On the 3rd play of the Hawks 3rd drive, Morris was dialed up to run off tackle. The Skins' Marcus Washington is walked up to the line, clearly positioned for a run blitz, or a read/react run blitz, but Weaver, whose lead blocking out of the "I", runs past Washington and engages an irrelevant DB. Washington shoots in untouched and Morris eats it for a loss of 3. Good discipline by Mercury here to not attempt to escape a broken play, but the result still effectively kills the drive.

Outlook

Mike Holmgren is an execution coach. He’s not flashy or innovative, but uncompromising and disciplined. Execution without innovation is a Honda Accord. Innovation without execution is an Edsel. Execution without innovation is Philip Roth. Innovation without execution is your bespectacled roommate that loiters coffee shops, two books apparent (a heavily dog-eared A Reader’s Manifesto and an immaculate as a slab of marble 77 Dream Songs), with alcoholic affectations and a thousand blank notebooks. But though uncompromising dedication to execution has earned the former schoolman a spot in the Hall, it’s not without blood. Slippery speed back Ahman Green springs to mind.

Leonard Weaver nearly suffered Holmgren’s wrath. Had the Walrus still been the man with the phone, Weaver may not have survived the preseason. Had he not, it would have been a debilitating loss. Weaver is a talented rusher and receiver with developing blocking skills. His execution is still primitive, but he’s a recently converted tight end faced with an abbreviated learning curve. As sure as his imperfections glared under the hot August sun, his passion and potential burned through the cold winter months. Weaver has a fistful of talent and the soul of a hustler. It’s too bad this might be his final season in Blue. So, with Owen Schmitt aboard, does Seattle unleash the scariest power package in the NFL (Burleson, Schmitt, Carlson, Weaver and Duckett) or do Weaver’s rough edges force him to the periphery? Execution is irreplaceable, but so is talent.