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Seahawks OTAs: Observations

By Ben Renner

Nov 13, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Seattle Seahawks strong safety Kam Chancellor (31) exits the field after the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Seattle Seahawks defeated the Patriots 31-24. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 13, 2016; Foxborough, MA, USA; Seattle Seahawks strong safety Kam Chancellor (31) exits the field after the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Seattle Seahawks defeated the Patriots 31-24. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Seahawks ended their seventh and final Organized Team Activity (OTA) of 2017 Friday. It’s still only June, but implications from OTAs will affect further Seahawks roster building and makeup.

The Seahawks are now finished with their OTAs after closing their seventh and final round Friday. Up next for them is mandatory minicamp, starting Tuesday.

It will be all hands on deck then, but there were a few notable observations in OTAs that will either ease or increase pressure on several players headed into training camp and beyond.

Kam Chancellor is Back, Earl Thomas Rests

Strong safety Kam Chancellor practiced hard in drills, not avoiding contact (on dummies, but still) and breaking up passes in scrimmages. Meanwhile free safety Earl Thomas was held out of workouts Friday.

Head coach Pete Carroll held a 70-minute practice session before the players left for a weekend off ahead of mandatory minicamps Tuesday. Thomas watched the first two OTAs open to the media. Carroll said Thomas expects to be ready for training camp in late July as he recovers from a broken leg last December.

Chancellor is also hoping to get a new contract, the same contract he’s been angling for since his notorious holdout in 2015. Most signs from general manager John Schneider and Carroll indicate they intend to re-sign the hard-hitting safety, repeating they want to lock down their core guys.

Continuity at Offensive Line

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Continuity is only good if it continues to be good, but the Seahawks offensive line is at least getting a chance to gel or possibly even synergize. Other than the left guard, which has rotated with presumed starter Luke Joeckel limited throughout OTAs, the Seahawks first string offensive line has remained constant with George Fant at left tackle, Justin Britt at his customary position at center, Mark Glowinski at right guard, and Germain Ifedi at right tackle.

The Offseason Continues

We’re a long way from Week 1 at Lambeau Field, but indications that wide receiver Tyler Lockett, Chancellor, Thomas, and others will be at full strength before training camp are encouraging.

Next: Is Russell Wilson the Best QB in the League?

If the Seahawks don’t see any ill effects of last year’s broken legs (Lockett–who missed time at OTAs but also plans on returning in training camp–and Thomas) or locker room schisms, they and their relatively easy schedule could be going deep into the postseason.

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