Running backs Marshawn Lynch, Justin Forsett and Leon Washington squirted through running lanes for big gains during team drills the past two days, cutting off the crisp blocks of offensive linemen and getting into the secondary.
Veteran offensive lineman Robert Gallery says understanding the pace at which Cable wants his offensive line to play is essential for Seattle’s success running the football.
“He pushes guys,” Gallery said. “He wants you to push your body past where you thought it would go. I think that’s the biggest thing – just the mentality he wants you to bring to the game. And in the style offense that he wants for us to be successful, we’ve got to come off the line and strike people – play, after play, after play – and some people aren’t built for that. So if that’s not your deal, and you can’t learn to relish in that, it’s going to be a long camp.”
Cable’s trying to change the culture of the Seahawks’ running game, which finished in the bottom third of the league the past four seasons – including second-worst last season, averaging 89 yards a contest.
Cable received help from general manager John Schneider in the talent acquisition department. Three of Seattle’s five line starters are first round picks in Gallery (second overall in 2004), left tackle Russell Okung (sixth overall in 2010) and right tackle James Carpenter (25th overall this year).
Center Max Unger (second round in 2009) was the highest lineman drafted by Seattle that year, and right guard John Moffitt (third round this year) gives Seattle potentially one of the more talented offensive lines since the team’s Super Bowl run in 2005.
And Seattle’s bigger up front as well, averaging 6-foot, 5-inches and 316 pounds across the line.
“They’re huge,” Forsett said. “And that helps us out a lot for us to be able to hide behind those big linemen, and being able to shoot out into those creases. It’s going to be good for us.
“I’m happily surprised that we’re able to get this thing started early. And I think that’s a credit to Coach Cable coming in with his coaching, and getting his guys up front right, and Coach Sherm (running backs coach Sherman Smith) working on us in getting our steps right. We’ve meshed early.”
NATE WANTS TRYOUT
Former University of Washington star and Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nate Robinson attended practice Saturday. Robinson recently stated via Twitter his interest in trying out for the Seahawks, with the NBA in the middle of a lockout. And Seahawks coach Pete Carroll responded to Robinson’s request via Twitter by jokingly inviting him for a workout.
Well, Robinson was serious and took Carroll up on his offer, showing up for practice Saturday morning. But the Slam Dunk champion was just a spectator, watching the defensive backs from the sideline and talking with fellow former Husky Roy Lewis.
Robinson originally attended UW on a football scholarship and played cornerback for the Huskies for a year before concentrating on basketball.
“We got to talking and having some fun, and all of sudden he got serious about it,” Carroll said. “He would have come out and worked out in a second. He was ready to go – brought his cleats and all.
“But I had to pull him back a little bit. I didn’t want to be the one that stood in the way of the great career he could have in hoops and making all of that money and doing all that stuff by him getting banged up.”
Carroll said that he recruited Robinson coming out of high school and he was almost a Trojan.
“Oh yeah, we had him coming to SC,” he said. “But then he asked me, ‘Is it OK if I play basketball after my first year?’ And I said, ‘Yeah, as long as you play football.’ And he said, ‘No, I mean just play basketball.’ And I said, ‘No, that isn’t going to work.’ ”
BROCK RETURNS
Defensive end Raheem Brock practiced for the first time Saturday after recently signing a one-year deal to return to Seattle. And Brock was refreshingly honest when asked what brought him back to Seattle.
“Money,” he quipped. “I’m happy to be back. I feel like I had unfinished business here. I got started off good last year, and I’d like to finish off good.”
Brock said after posting a career-high nine sacks, his goal this year is to make the Pro Bowl by leading the league in sacks.
“I need to make a Pro Bowl,” he said. “I feel like I’ve done everything else. I’ve been to a couple Super Bowls. I’ve won a Super Bowl. And I’m trying to get to a Pro Bowl.”
EXTRA POINTS
According to a league source, the Seahawks placed wide receiver Deon Butler (leg), tight end Cameron Morrah (toe), defensive tackle Colin Cole (ankle) and defensive back Roy Lewis (knee) on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. That designation means those players are unable to play in exhibition games until they pass a physical with the team. … One player who has impressed the past couple days is third string quarterback Josh Portis. After struggling with accuracy and fumbled snaps the first few days of camp, Portis completed several impressive passes in Seattle’s morning practice Saturday, including a deep ball that rookie Ricardo Lockette jumped over Brandon Browner to retrieve in the end zone, and another long completion to Isaiah Stanback. “He’s very confident, and he’s really a talented kid,” Carroll said. “He’s got great feet. He’s got great delivery and a very strong arm. And he’s very poised about it. He’s just been a real pleasant surprise.” … The Seahawks will take the day off today and return to practice Monday afternoon.
Eric D. Williams: 253-597-8437 eric.williams@thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/seahawks
