First impressions of new Seahawks at rookie minicamp — including from their new coach
The first days on the field of the Seahawks’ new Mike Macdonald era showed their new coach values players who are versatile, fit — and have thick skin.
Veteran Seahawks are describing their new coach as “very blunt.” Macondald was exactly that while giving his first on-the-field impressions of Seattle’s top choice in last week’s NFL draft, defensive tackle Byron Murphy II from the University of Texas.
Some — including Seahawks general manager John Schneider — have likened the relatively short (6-foot), 297-pound Murphy to imminent Hall of Famer Aaron Donald, at least in body type.
Macdonald was not doing that this weekend while talking about the 16th-overall pick during Seattle’s rookie minicamp.
“Tough to really truly evaluate because of the tempo, but overall, a good start,” Macdonald said of Murphy. “We’re not going to crown him right now like he’s the next best defensive tackle of all time, but we’re really excited about it. He shows all the bend and the strength at the point of attack and acceleration.
“Need to get in a little bit better shape, so we can get through a whole practice and fly around like we expect him to.
“But he understands that just like the rest of these guys. It’s so hard to stay in this elite shape the way the calendar is set up.
“So, he’ll get there. But we’ll be pushing them, in the meantime.”
If Murphy had any hard feelings about his new coach being tough, the rookie was smart enough not to voice them publicly.
In fact, he said the opposite.
“I feel like there are some things I need to work on. I’m still learning,” Murphy said. “I’m still getting into the groove of things
“I love Coach Macdonald. I feel like he is very demanding. I feel like I want to play for a coach like that, a coach that pushes me and wants me to be great. I love it.”
Through three weeks of offseason team meetings and conditioning drills plus three days the rookie were at team headquarters this past weekend, Macdonald is pushing everyone.
Veteran Seahawks left tackle Charles Cross has called the 36-year-old former Baltimore Ravens defensive coordinator “very blunt.”
“He brings tenacity to the building,” Cross said late last month.
“He wants to get the job done.”
This past weekend at rookie minicamp, the job was indoctrinating Murphy with seven other draft picks, plus 17 signed undrafted free agents, plus 30 tryout players trying to earn contracts on Seattle’s 90-man offseason roster.
Seahawks teaching, Tyrice Knight learning
Macdonald and his 21 new Seahawks assistant coaches did a ton of teaching during the rookies’ practices.
During Friday’s drills in shorts, no pads and helmets, offensive line coach Scott Huff asked a staffer how much time was left in a training segment. Told 7 minutes, Huff took time to explain to Christian Haynes, the third-round pick from Connecticut who will get a chance to start at right guard this year, exactly how he wanted Haynes’ hands to hit the blocking sled in a drill.
Outside linebackers coach Chris Partridge began an edge-rushing drill around a hula hoop placed on the grass explaining footwork to Murphy, then the violence with which he wanted Murphy to strike the blocking pads Partridge was wearing around his arms.
The coaches evaluated Tyrice Knight, Seattle’s fourth-round pick, at inside linebacker. Knight played both inside and outside linebacker at the University of Texas-El Paso. He had 15 1/2 tackles for loss last season playing inside backer and freelancing into opposing backfields for UTEP.
Macdonald says it’s likely Knight trains at outside linebacker once veteran inside men Tyrel Dodson and Jerome Baker start on-field drills later this month. The Seahawks signed Dodson from Buffalo and Baker from Miami to one-year contracts to be their starting inside linebackers in a 3-4 this year. Macdonald, a former linebackers coach with Baltimore, has said Dodson is likely to start out as the defensive signal caller at middle linebacker.
When the Seahawks drafted Knight, Macdonald said he wants the rookie to improve on squaring up to blockers and ball carriers close to the line of scrimmage before he plays inside linebacker.
Seattle is starting over at the position after letting Bobby Wagner (to Washington) and Jordyn Brooks (to Miami) leave in free agency this offseason.
“I’m honestly looking forward to the next day to keep stacking days on days and make a better name for myself,” Knight said.
Saturday, Macdonald noted mistakes Knight made as new defensive coordinator Aden Durde put in more of the playbook with the rookies.
“(Saturday), we had a little bit of an install. So there was a couple mental errors that we want to chase,” Macdonald said.
The new coach has been using “chase” and a synonym for “correct.”
“Again, the intent is there (with Knight). The attention to detail is there,” Macdonald said. “Keep working on all the movement, playing like a linebacker in the NFL. ...
“And he sees that. So we’ll go to work on it.”
Knight appreciates Macdonald’s direct approach.
“He’s someone who is straightforward. He’ll get to the point,” Knight said. “He has a good side, but you’re probably not going to meet that yet. But he’s pretty straightforward.
“I know he expects the best of me, and I respect him for that. I think we’ll get along pretty well.”
Nehemiah Pritchett, D.J. James begin
Seattle’s two rookie cornerbacks from Auburn began their NFL careers in different roles.
Fifth-round pick Nehemiah Pritchett was outside at cornerback. That fits his long, 6-foot, 188-pound frame — and his speed (4.36 seconds in the 40-yard dash).
Sixth-round choice D.J. James practiced mainly inside as a nickel, slot cornerback.
James is the lightest player on the Seahawks’ 90-man roster, at 170 pounds. That’s five pounds lighter than James weighed at the NFL scouting combine in early March.
It’s actually seven pounds heavier than the weight he played at while mostly outside at cornerback for Auburn and Oregon.
The Seahawks had 185-pound Devon Witherspoon make the Pro Bowl as a rookie last season while starting games at outside cornerback and moving inside to nickel on passing downs. Witherspoon is a ferocious tackler who aggressively charges into the line, belying his size.
It’s a new defense now in Seattle. Time — and perhaps James’ progress learning nickel this spring and summer — will tell if Macdonald is going to keep playing Witherspoon at two positions inside and out this fall.
James said Saturday: “It’s going really well playing inside nickel and playing outside corner. Just adjusting to playing more inside, as well. But it’s going really good. I’m learning. They’re helping me learn. I’m adjusting well to it.”
Asked if James will practice exclusively at nickel, Macdonald said: “No.
“Depends on how we can handle it and all that, but the goal is (for James) to be to be both (outside and nickel).”
On guard(s)
Haynes was a right guard for 49 consecutive starts at UConn. That’s where he played this weekend in Seattle’s rookie minicamp.
Haynes is not the only new Seahawk lineman coaches are trying at guard, their position of greatest need on offense if not the team.
Sixth-round pick Sataoa Laumea played two years at guard then the last two at right tackle at the University of Utah. At the Senior Bowl showcase for NFL scouts in January he was a guard.
The Seahawks list the 6-4, 319-pound Laumea as a tackle-slash-guard. He played left guard with Haynes at right guard this weekend.
“I’m willing to learn,” Laumea said. “So if they want me outside, I definitely trust Coach Huff to coach me up to play tackle, if he needs me. In my career I have definitely been more comfortable on the inside. I feel like at the Senior Bowl I moved back inside after two years of not playing (there) because I do feel comfortable.
“But, I am willing to learn to play wherever they need me.”
Mike Jerrell, the third of Seattle’s three picks in round six this year, played right tackle at the University of Findlay. Huff had the 6-5, 309-pound Jerrell playing guard during the rookie minicamp.
“It felt good playing at guard,”: Jerrell said. “Everything happens so fast. I feel like it’s the same thing as playing tackle. It’s just that everything is right there in front of you, obviously, going up against a bigger guy.
“I think my speed and length at guard helps me a little bit. I didn’t really have too much trouble, just getting adjusted to it.”
The Seahawks lost starting left guard Damien Lewis to a Carolina in a $53 million free-agent deal this offseason. They let the contract of starting right guard Phil Haynes expire after last season.
They signed 2021 Pro Bowl left guard Laken Tomlinson, 32, last month, but to only a one-year contract.
“There’s some things that we’re going to be working on for those guys,” Macdonald said of Huff and his offensive linemen. “But just like with everybody on the team, we’re kind of chasing those details.”
This story was originally published May 5, 2024 at 4:14 PM.
