3 & out: Takeaways from Seahawks' first training-camp scrimmage

Enrique Guevara, 8, of Renton, Wash., reacts as he has his face painted by Mercedes Luna, left, at a public session of Seattle Seahawks NFL football training camp, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016, in Renton, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren) less Enrique Guevara, 8, of Renton, Wash., reacts as he has his face painted by Mercedes Luna, left, at a public session of Seattle Seahawks NFL football training camp, Saturday, Aug. 6, 2016, in Renton, Wash. (AP ... more Photo: Ted S. Warren/AP Photo: Ted S. Warren/AP Image 1 of / 126 Caption Close 3 & out: Takeaways from Seahawks' first training-camp scrimmage 1 / 126 Back to Gallery

RENTON -- The Seattle Seahawks wrapped up their second four-day phase of training camp on Sunday with their first scrimmage at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.

The starters overcame a sloppy start to beat the reserves 20-10, but the final score really didn't matter. The scrimmage served as an opportunity for coaches to evaluate players and units in game situations for the first time, nearly a week before the team kicks off its preseason schedule at Kansas City on Aug. 13.

"This is a good work day for us," head coach Pete Carroll said afterward. "This is kind of a culmination of the first phase (of training camp), and I'm really anxious to see the film and see how we did and see what the guys look like."

Sunday's scrimmage, which numbered over 70 plays, had plenty of highlights, including a couple of fly-bys by the Blue Angels during their Seafair routine over Lake Washington.

Here are our biggest takeaways:

1. O-line shuffle continues

Sunday's scrimmage continued the trend we saw earlier in the week, with players being moved around along the first-team offensive line -- particularly at the tackle positions. Garry Gilliam and J'Marcus Webb started out on the first team at left and right tackle, respectively, but Bradley Sowell had series at each spot. Rees Odiambo started out as the second-team left guard, but saw some action at both tackle spots as well.

The interior of the first-team line was consistent for most of the day, with left guard Mark Glowinski and right guard Germain Ifedi playing all of the first-team snaps, and center Justin Britt playing with the starters for all but one series. Afterward, Carroll said the line was ahead of where he thought they would be at this time, particularly inside.

"I really like what they've done," Carroll said. "(Glowinski and Ifedi's) combination with Britt, it's been an impressive camp so far. I'm surprised that they're together. They're communicating really well. Justin did a great job in the offseason. He and Glow worked out that whole time, so they seem to be on the same page. Germain ... he's a fantastic prospect. So we have really high hopes."

Saturday's signing of former All-Pro guard Jahri Evans seems to indicate the team wants to add more depth to the interior of the line, but it might signal an eventual move for Ifedi back to right tackle, the position he played at college at Texas A&M.

"That may come up here down the road a little bit, but not right now," Carroll said of moving Ifedi outside. "We want him to really dig in a right guard. We certainly know that he can (play tackle). We just don't want to confuse the issue right now. We want to really get him to focus.

"But before camp's over, he'll play some right tackle for us."

2. Mixed day for Collins

The Seahawks were thin at a couple of positions due to injury on Sunday, none more so than running back.

Christine Michael, who had been working with the starters with Thomas Rawls on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, did not play due to illness. With Rawls (ankle) and draft picks C.J. Prosise (hamstring) and Zac Brooks (hamstring) also out , it left just three running backs available to carry the ball: fifth-round pick Alex Collins and recent signings Cameron Marshall and Troymaine Pope.

Collins had a good day on balance, scoring the game's first two touchdowns, which included a long reception for a score from No. 2 quarterback Trevone Boykin after Collins worked himself open around midfield as Boykin scrambled. He later scored on a 3-yard plunge with the first-team offense.

Collins' one misstep came early on when he fumbled at the end of a play that might or might not have been over. Regardless, it was ruled a fumble and resulted in the scrimmage's lone turnover. Collins, whose ball-security issues in college at Arkansas were well known to Seattle, had been doing a good job of avoiding fumbles, according to Carroll.

"He's done great. That's the first time the ball's come out," Carroll said. "We're doing everything we can to knock it out, too. We've been pounding on these guys every day."

The position will be getting some reinforcements next week, as the team activated Rawls from the PUP list Sunday after he passed a physical. Brooks should also return soon, but Carroll all but ruled out Prosise for the preseason opener.

3. Strong battle at SAM

The battle for the starting strongside (SAM) linebacker position looks like it will go well into the preseason, if not all the way through it.

Veteran reserve and special-teams regular Mike Morgan started the day playing the spot, which had been manned by Bruce Irvin for the past three seasons. But third-year pro Cassius Marsh also got some first-team snaps.

Afterward, however, it wasn't Morgan or Marsh who earned the highest praise from Carroll, who singled out the third player competing for the spot: converted defensive back Eric Pinkins.

"I think probably the biggest surprise is Eric Pinkins is really doing well," Carroll said. "He's the fastest guy. He's kind of the flashiest. ... His coverage skills are really good. He's been very physical, and he looks very good at special teams as well. He's an exciting player for us."

Carroll said Pinkins would play "a ton" in the preseason as the Seahawks attempt to settle on a starter in a competition that looks simply too close to call at this point.

And out...

-- Carroll gave several updates on other injuries, saying he expected safety Kam Chancellor (groin) and defensive tackle Jordan Hill (groin) to return soon. Defensive end Frank Clark, who participated in position drills, but sat out the scrimmage while nursing a calf injury, should also be back a full strength after the team's day off on Monday.

-- Wide receiver Tyler Lockett led the team with seven catches on the day, including a third-down conversion on the sideline and a 12-yard touchdown from Russell Wilson on fourth-and-1.

-- Defensive end Cliff Avril had three sacks on the day and an additional tackle for loss. Linebacker Bobby Wagner also added a sack.

-- Wide receiver Kenny Lawler had two sliding catches early in the scrimmage and one more that was negated due to penalty.

-- Cornerback Tye Smith impressed while playing outside, more than holding his own against wide receiver Jermaine Kearse. Smith was physical enough to earn a mild reproach from Kearse after the second of two deep balls aimed Kearse's way fell incomplete. Kearse eventually caught a long corner route from Wilson, but it came while working against Stanley Jean-Baptiste.





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