Seattle Seahawks
Richard Sherman still perfecting his craft
Richard Sherman remains confounded by quarterbacks who try to throw fade routes against him. Sunday’s misguided attempt came from his pal Russell Wilson during the third day of the Seattle Seahawks’ training camp.
Wilson dared to throw up the sideline to a streaking receiver. Sherman remained perfectly positioned and tipped the ball away. Strong safety Jeron Johnson almost followed with an interception. Johnson was a hair late arriving.
Continually richer and more famous, Sherman appears the same on the field at the start of camp: patient, boisterous and lethal.
“I’m always working on discipline within the defense,” the cornerback said. “I think every day we are working on discipline — being disciplined with our eyes, being disciplined with our feet, our angles, our technique — and that’s something’s that’s never perfected. You always strive for perfection, and you never get there. So that’s something I’m always working to perfect, and that’s something everyone else is doing, as well.”
Still just 26, Sherman is not an “old guy” by any measure. He’s entering just his fourth season, but in the Seahawks’ locker room, that puts him in the middle on the team’s experience scale.
“It feels different,” Sherman said. “You feel more comfortable with the environment, comfortable with the surroundings obviously, the playbook. The game is slowed down. You’re seeing things happen that you know is going to happen, but no, you don’t feel like an old guy yet.
“I got to get three or four more years before I start feeling like an old guy. I think we are starting to get where we need to be chemistry-wise and the secondary on defense, and I think we have a great thing going.”
Training camp continues without running back Marshawn Lynch, who is holding out. Sherman sounded a lot like coach Pete Carroll did Friday when asked about Lynch. They want him there, but if he doesn’t come, they’ll find a solution and move on.
“I feel good about it; I think he will be fine,” Sherman said. “I think whichever decision he makes, I will be fine with. I think he has put his work in, and if he comes back ready to play and ready to go, then that’s what it will be. I’m sure he is in shape, and I’m sure he will take his 300 or 350 carries that he takes and be our workhorse. And if it’s his time, then other guys will step up, and we will go out there and play.”
Lane hopes to cash in big at nickel back
Jeremy Lane appears a near-lock as the full-time nickel cornerback, a position he shared a year ago with Walter Thurmond, who has since left.
“I’m approaching camp with an attitude like ownership,” Lane said. “I’ve got to own that spot. I feel like I’ve got a fair opportunity this time. I’m the first one up. All I’ve got to do is own it.”
One of the keys for Lane in training camp: He wants to improve on making the catch when his interception opportunities come.
“I’ve got to work on my hands and make them a little bit better,” he said.
Also, Lane was a coverage beast last year on special teams — a role he’s hoping to replicate.
“I plan on dominating on special teams,” Lane said.
Linebacker Wright plowing forward
Linebacker K.J. Wright is in the final year of his four-year rookie contract. There is some thought the Seahawks might try to extend him during or shortly after training camp.
When reminded his contract is coming to an end and asked if he thinks about it, Wright laughed.
“Nope. Not at all,” Wright said. “I’m going to come out here and just do my job every day. If they want me, they’ll find a way to keep me here, and if not, I’m going to play my hardest for the team, and when it comes down to it, we’ll see what happens. That’s something I’m not focused on at all. I’m just worried about practicing and getting back to the Super Bowl.”
Wright said there was no discussion with the team about a new contract over the summer.
EXTRA POINTS
Percy Harvin was back and a full-go Sunday after being rested Saturday. “We just want to work our way into camp in a mode to make sure we don’t overload him early,” Carroll said. “(We’re) trying to figure out what kind of a workload he can handle.” … Running back Christine Michael “banged” his shoulder, according to Carroll. He sat out the second half of practice, but Carroll said Michael should be ready for practice Tuesday. ... Rookie wide receiver Kevin Norwood has a sore foot, which has been bothering him since organized team activities in mid-June. Carroll said they decided to rest him until Tuesday to see if that makes him feel better. “He had an old surgery in high school, and we have checked it all out,” Norwood said. “There are no big concerns with it, but he does have a sore foot, so we are resting him.” … Rookie defensive tackle Jimmy Staten was out because of a hyperextended knee and pulled hamstring. … Carroll said left tackle Russell Okung (foot) is about two weeks from returning. ... DT Jesse Williams’ time off yesterday was just that. Carroll said they were resting him and that he looked great his first day out. Williams missed last season because of knee problems. ... The trio of players who had offseason surgery — Kam Chancellor, Malcolm Smith and Bruce Irvin — remained out.
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