What we learned on day one of the Seahawks OTAs

RENTON — The Seahawks could know more about Chris Carson’s status later this week, while the team also welcomed a new receiver on Monday and detailed a new role for a key young defensive player.

These are among the things we learned Monday during the team’s first OTA (Organized Team Activity) at VMAC.

The team learns more about Carson while Penny treats her hamstring

Seattle didn’t have one of its top two veterans on the field for Monday’s OTA.

One was expected – Carson, who is in rehab after undergoing neck surgery last year. One thing was more of a surprise at this point, if not necessarily a problem – Rashaad Penny, standing on the sidelines addressing what coach Pete Carroll said is “a little hamstring that’s still tight.”

That left the bulk of the work on running backs to veterans DeeJay Dallas and Travis Homer, and rookie second-round pick Ken Walker III.

Not knowing if Carson will be available this year contributed to Walker, who turned 41, being drafted^St total.

Asked about Carson, Carroll said Monday, “Chris is here. I’ll know more later in the week. I don’t have an update for you.”

Carroll has previously said the team likely wouldn’t know anything definitive about Carson until training camp, and it’s unclear whether Carroll’s statement Monday meant more clarity on his long-term status could come soon, or just a routine update.

Carson is in the second season of a contract signed in spring 2021 that includes a guaranteed $5.5 million. Seattle could save $3.1 million against the cap if released.

Seattle re-signed Penny in March to a one-year deal worth $5.47 million after he ended the 2021 season on a rousing note, finishing with an NFL-high 6.3 yards-per-carry average.

But Penny has also dealt with numerous injuries in his career, playing 37 games in four previous seasons and just 13 in the last two years.

This story makes any hint of injury for Penny a bit eyebrow-raising. But it’s also only May, and Carroll noted that Penny has been able to do some conditioning work.

“We’re just making sure he’s okay,” Carroll said. “He is training and training very well today – he runs and flies around. But not willing to go where he can’t control the pace.”

Seahawks add a fast receiver

Seattle officially signed receiver Marquise Goodwin, 31, on Monday, and he competed in the No. 15 jersey.

Carroll noted that one reason for bringing Goodwin is his familiarity with Sanjay Lal, who returned to the Seattle coaching staff this offseason as receiver coach and passing coordinator. Lal coached Goodwin at Buffalo for two years in 2015-16. Carroll also raved about the speed of Goodwin, who was a two-time NCAA long jump champion and an All-American in track and field at the University of Texas and made the 2012 Olympic team, and ran the 4.27 40 in the 2013 combined .

“Well we have some background on him as Sanjay has coached him before and they have a relationship which has given us some insight,” Carroll said. “He’s exceptionally fast, he’s a gifted athlete, he came here on day one and he’s still proving he can fly. He’s a really disciplined route runner and he’s also a guy who’s played all the spots, so I think he’ll add something, firstly with what he brings to the sport, but also with his background, his make-up and its versatility. I hope it rubs off on other guys when he goes through it. I am not asking him to be a mentor to anyone but Sanjay will use him accordingly to demonstrate and do things that he has trained over the years for the Marquise to do. I’m always happy when someone brings something unique, which historically this guy is very, very fast. We played against him and that’s why we have respect for him. We really thought seriously about designing it at the time, so we’re glad we did it.”

Brooks handles defensive play-calling duties

While Cody Barton stepped in as center linebacker and called the games when Bobby Wagner missed all but one play of the final two games of the 2021 season, those duties will now fall to third-year linebacker Jordyn Brooks.

Carroll confirmed Monday Brooks will wear the green dot on his helmet, indicating he has the communications device to relay game calls from coaches to players on the field.

“He has to call the shots and make the adjustments,” Carroll said.

Brooks and Barton played on the inside lines with the first-team defense throughout Monday practice, although their roles have changed somewhat from last season with the move to a scheme that favors a 3-4.

Remarks

• On May 14, Carroll received an honorary doctorate from the University of the Pacific. “It was very special,” said Carroll, who graduated in 1973 with a BS in business administration and in 1978 with a masters in physical education. “Really proud to be a part of it.”
• Rookie cornerback Coby Bryant missed practice to attend to a personal issue, but Carroll said he should be back on Wednesday. beginner’s corner Tariq Woolenwho was training on the field during rookie minicamp with a hamstring problem was able to do some work on Monday.
• OTAs are voluntary and among those who did not participate Monday were veterans of the Guard Gave Jackson and defensive tackle Al Woods. When asked about her absence, Carroll said they would be back for mandatory mini-camp next month. Excluding Jackson, fourth-year player Phil Haynes worked with offense #1 on the right guard. The rest of the beginning offensive line was the No. 1 pick charles cross at left tackle, Damien Lewis at the left guard, Austin Blythe in the middle and Jake Curhan with the right tackle. Pick in the third round From Lucas worked with the second team at right tackle and sophomore Stone Forsythe with the second team at left tackle.
• A handful of other injured players were also absent, including WR DK Metcalfcollateral Quadre Diggs, Jamal Adams and Marchioness Blair and corner backs Tre Brown. Carroll said Adams, Brown and Diggs will be present at the June 7-9 minicamp.