Tag: 710 ESPN Seattle

Drew Lock’s personal coach: New Seahawks QB ‘really respects this game’

Here’s what he told Jake Heaps and Stacy Jo Rost about Lock’s game.

The Russell Wilson trade was tough to swallow for a lot of Seattle Seahawks fans. For some the deal may be irredeemable, but it would certainly help salve the wound if they are truly getting the best version of Drew Lock from the Denver Broncos.

For what it’s worth, Lock’s personal quarterback coach Justin Hoover believes that’s the case. He was a guest on ESPN 710 Seattle earlier this week. Here’s what he told Jake Heaps and Stacy Jo Rost about Lock’s game.

“I just saw him last week and I think he’s kind of rejuvenated and feels great mentally and physically. I think you’re going to get the best version of Drew Lock moving forward… He really respects this game and loves this game. For him, the respect of the game and recognizing the best version of himself… he just needs to get back to that point kind of between the ears, as a confidence part.”

Statistically, the best we have seen from Lock at this level came late in the 2019 campaign. After Denver’s starter Joe Flacco went down with a neck injury, Lock closed out the season as the team’s QB1 over the final five games. He posted a 4-1 record, totaling a 64.1% completion rate, seven touchdowns, three interceptions and a 50.2 QBR.

Lock followed that good work with a rough 2020 season, when he led the NFL with 15 interceptions. He also struggled in his three starts in 2021 when Teddy Bridgewater was injured, going 0-3 and totaling a 23.4 QBR. Ball security has been an issue for him throughout and he has 13 fumbles in just 24 games.

While the numbers aren’t pretty, there’s undeniable athletic potential at work, here. If Lock can cut down on his turnovers and the Seahawks embrace what he does well – mostly play action – he may yet become a solid starter.

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Russell Wilson said Seahawks would not have played a game this week

Seattle’s QB Russell Wilson said Seahawks would not have played a game this week to show support for Jacob Blake and protest systemic racism.

Following the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Wisconsin, sports leagues around the country, including the NBA, NHL, WNBA, MLB and MLS, have postponed or canceled games to show their solidarity in protesting systemic racism.

While the NFL’s season has yet to start, Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson believes the team would not have played this week had a game been scheduled.

“Yeah, for sure,” Wilson told 710 ESPN Seattle’s Danny and Gallant show Friday morning. “I think just witnessing what happened to Jacob and everything else and all the things that have added up to this, it’s devastating, truly devastating just to watch that and it’s not like this hasn’t been going on for years. That’s the scary part and sad part. The difference now is we get to see it every day because of social media and phones and everything else.”

The Seahawks were not slated to practice on Thursday, but many NFL teams that were, took the day off to show their support as well.

“I think what’s really disappointing is just knowing that we, as athletes, try to (make) a difference and sometimes people don’t want to listen and don’t want to recognize that that could have been us and that could be us,” Wilson said.

The Seahawks are set to practice at 2:00 p.m. PT on Friday afternoon.

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Seahawks defensive end L.J. Collier in better shape than last offseason

Seattle Seahawks defensive end L.J. Collier joined 710 ESPN Seattle and talked about his offseason ahead of his second year in the NFL.

Seattle Seahawks defensive end L.J. Collier joined 710 ESPN Seattle’s Tom, Jake and Stacy on Thursday to detail his offseason heading into the second year of his NFL career.

“I’m feeling good, man, I’m feeling great,” Collier said. “I’m in way better shape now and (have been) looking forward to this year’s camp. I’ve been having a good camp so far and I’m really enjoying it. I’m glad to just be able to be out there doing stuff with everybody else rather than be on the sideline watching.”

In his second year, the Seahawks plan for Collier to occasionally play defensive tackle in addition to his designated defensive end position. Collier expressed his satisfaction with this decision.

“I like it. I’m being flexible with both, so I’m just ready to be wherever they need me and I’ll be there and that’s just the whole point,” he said. “I really want to be able to play everything that way if they need a man up, I can be that guy.”

Collier stated that he will block out the noise from detractors and only focus on what he can control to help his team win.

“One thing about me is I’m going to be here, I’m going to play hard regardless of what people think of me,” Collier said. “And people can think what they want, that’s their opinion, they can say what they want. All I know is at the end of the day, I’m going to go out there and do whatever I can to help this team win and I’m going to play my hardest, I’m going to give my all . . . People have called me out my whole life and I’ve made it this far and I’m going to continue to go farther. I’m not happy with my situation, I want to do more, I want to go farther. I haven’t proved anything and I have a lot to prove.”

Fans can only wait to see what the on-field results of Collier’s offseason will look like.

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Pete Carroll: Russell Wilson will be the best he’s ever been in 2020

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll joined 710 ESPN Seattle to discuss quarterback Russell Wilson and what he will be like in 2020.

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll joined 710 ESPN Seattle’s John Clayton on Friday to discuss quarterback Russell Wilson; specifically, enhancing his role in the team’s offense going forward.

Carroll praised Wilson as he usually does, stating that he is the best he has been throughout his entire career going into 2020. He also stressed the importance of having a balanced team and explained how Wilson factors into that equation.

“Russell is at the best of his game that he’s ever been and his command, his control and understanding of everything we can put forth on him allows him to be, I think, at the best he’s ever been,” Carroll said. “… And we want him to have more opportunities to be the factor of the game and control the game. But John, in just football in general, that doesn’t mean that you throw the football all the time to do that. We need to be a really good, functioning team that’s hard to beat because we’re so good at the things we do. That means that you have to have balance in your game.”

Carroll acknowledged the clamor from fans to “let Russ cook,” but assured them that Wilson will be at the top of his game if there is a season in 2020.

“We’re not going to take anything away from Russell’s ability to produce – we want to maximize his opportunities,” Carroll said. “So whatever this ‘Russell cook’ thing is about, I don’t know what it’s about, but he is at his best, he is in the most command he’s ever been, and he and (offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer) and the offensive staff have worked this offseason to a point where we’re ready to unveil it, the best version of us. And that means the best version of Russ.”

Wilson will need to be at his best for Seattle to even have a chance at making it to Super Bowl LV. 12s will hope that they will indeed see the best version of him.

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Seahawks coach Pete Carroll willing to delay start of camp to be safe

Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll is more than willing to delay the start of training camp to ensure all COVID-19 protocols are in place.

Most states are experiencing rises in COVID-19 cases and businesses are once again starting to shut down. The National Football League, however, is pushing full-steam ahead, planning for the start of training camps at the end of the month.

While everyone wants to see sports back in action in some form or another, safety for all involved should be the number one concern.

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll is willing to wait out a delay to the start of training camp to ensure the proper protocols are in place.

Carroll joined 710 ESPN Seattle’s John Clayton on Friday and explained his stance on the issue.

“We want to be as smart as we can when we make these choices in the season as we go forward and if we need more time to get it done, I hope that we’ll take it,” Carroll said. “If we need to postpone the start of camp coming up and we could use that to our advantage, I think we should do it.”

But as of now, Carroll hasn’t heard differently from the league and will plan for the July 28 start date as safely as he can.

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Why tight end Greg Olsen will be a great 3rd-down option for Seahawks

Former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jake Heaps stated on 710 ESPN Seattle that new tight end Greg Olsen will be great on third downs.

With the addition of Greg Olsen, the Seattle Seahawks’ tight end unit has a veteran player alongside Will Dissly who could see a lot of passes thrown his way.

Former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jake Heaps discussed how Olsen will play into Seattle’s plans in 2020 on 710 ESPN Seattle’s Tom, Jake, and Stacy. Heaps predicted that Olsen will lead the Seahawks in receptions at the tight end position ahead of Dissly next season.

“You write this down, Tom, and I hope you write this in Sharpie, because I know who’s going to lead the team in receptions (at tight end) in 2020,” he said. “The person who’s leading the tight ends in receptions in 2020 is none other than your significant signing in Greg Olsen.”

Heaps said Olsen has solid potential primarily as a third-down option for Seattle.

“I’m a big believer in Greg Olsen, a big believer of his impact and I think he’s going to have a really good influence on this team in terms of what he’s going to be able to provide in third-down situations,” Heaps continued. “And to me, look, Will Dissly is a tremendous football player that I know everybody is excited about, but the reality is this: In my mind, Will Dissly will absolutely be on the field on first and second downs, and he could be on the field on third down if you’re in 12 personnel, meaning two tight ends (are) on the field. But if you’re asking one tight end to be part of the formation in third down, I’m putting Greg Olsen there every single time.”

We will see how Olsen fares as a member of the Seahawks come September, provided the coronavirus pandemic subsides by then.

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Joe Thomas expresses concern over Seahawks offensive line for 2020

Former Cleveland Browns offensive lineman Joe Thomas joined 710 ESPN Seattle and expressed concern about the Seahawks offensive line.

Former NFL offensive lineman Joe Thomas recently joined 710 ESPN Seattle and gave his thoughts on the Seahawks offense heading into the 2020 season.

Thomas expressed his concern regarding the offensive line and the lack of collective experience among the unit.

“It would definitely be concerning to me if I was a Seahawks fan, especially considering the shortened offseason,” Thomas said. “When you’re talking offensive line play, it’s all about experience, it’s all about playing together, being in the system for a long time. Having those changes takes time to get things figured out, it takes time to get on the same page because there is a lot of nonverbal communication that happens at the line of scrimmage before the snap.”

Thomas emphasized that the Seahawks must give quarterback Russell Wilson opportunities to work his magic on the ground and through the air by gaining consistent yardage in the running game to keep the defense guessing.

“I think what Seattle wants to do, especially with a great quarterback like Russell Wilson, is be able to establish the run,” Thomas said. “Force the defense to come up on the line of scrimmage to try to stop the run. It gives Russell so many opportunities to try and extend the play and throw the football down the field. If you eliminate the ability to run the football because you’re getting tackled for loss or you’re getting leakage on the offensive line too consistently because guys haven’t played together and aren’t understanding the nonverbal communication that has to happen, that’s going to be a trickle-down into the passing game and it’s going to hurt Russell.”

He summed up Seattle’s need in a nutshell.

“For Seattle to be successful they need to have a stout offensive line that can get the ball down the field running the football and open things up for the big plays with Russell Wilson’s arm.”

It is enticing to anticipate the potential for the offense in 2020. As long as Wilson is upright, Seattle has a chance in just about any contest.

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John Clayton: Russell Wilson is recruiting Antonio Brown to Seahawks

710 ESPN Seattle’s John Clayton reports that Seahawks quarterback is recruiting free agent wide receiver Antonio Brown to the team.

710 ESPN Seattle’s John Clayton reports that Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson is recruiting free agent wide receiver Antonio Brown to the Emerald City.

Clayton said the Seahawks have prioritized other positions, but are open to adding another pass-catching target for Wilson, and another potential advantage is Brown’s friendship with Seahawks backup quarterback Geno Smith.

“It’s pretty clear the Seahawks want to run the ball even more this year,” Clayton said. “They have loaded up at tight end and tried to stay big along the offensive line. But it’s not out of the question for the Seahawks to add another wide receiver. According to sources, Wilson would love to add Antonio Brown. Brown is also close with backup QB Geno Smith, whose one-year contract with the Seahawks was finalized Wednesday.”

However, Brown was run out of town by three teams in a remarkably short amount of time due to disorderly conduct and behavior, and Seattle already has two star wide receivers in Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf. It seems unlikely that the Seahawks will pursue Brown, but anything is possible in the NFL.

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Coach Pete Carroll admits his optimism can impact his draft scouting

Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll recently admitted on a podcast that his optimism can negatively impact his draft scouting.

Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll recently joined The Ringer’s Flying Coach podcast and made a critical admission about himself and his scouting abilities.

“I’m such an optimist . . .  I see something that really excites me about a guy and I don’t have to see him play great all the time,” he said. “If I can see enough stuff then I think I can tap into it. I’m a little bit of a victim of that in recruiting and all that because maybe I’m too optimistic about that. Basically, they are what they are and then you develop them and you try to add to it, but I kind of fall (victim) to that.”

710 ESPN Seattle’s John Clayton chimed in, stating Carroll overestimates the abilities of himself and his coaching staff at times.

“The one thing is Pete is very optimistic and he’s very positive and he thinks that with his coaching and his coaching staff that he can get these guys to reach the best level,” Clayton said. “In many ways he has and in some cases, hey, you aren’t going to hit on everything, and I don’t think there should be any reconsideration of anything with what you do as far as Pete’s coaching because you can see the success. He’s in the playoffs just about every year, he’s now trying to build everything for a Super Bowl run. So you’re not going to be perfect, but hey, that’s the way football is.”

Seahawks fans hope that Carroll’s optimism about his players in this year’s draft will be justified in the 2020 season.

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Jake Heaps says Russell Wilson’s MVP case will depend on schedule

Former Seattle Seahawks quarterback Jake Heaps stated on 710 ESPN Seattle that Russell Wilson’s MVP case will depend on their schedule.

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson is considered to be one of the primary NFL MVP candidates for the 2020 season, provided it is not shut down by the coronavirus pandemic.

Former Seahawks quarterback Jake Heaps stated on 710 ESPN Seattle that the team will have an easier start to the season than last year and that Wilson’s case for MVP will depend on the schedule as a whole.

“The beginning of it is going to be relatively easier than what they had last year, in my opinion, and then the ending is going to finish out pretty well,” Heaps said. “When you talk about MVP conversation for Russell Wilson and how you’re going to build that, it’s going to come through the middle at the heart of your schedule.”

However, Heaps opined that the Seahawks’ 2020 schedule is no cakewalk and that Wilson excelling during the team’s four primetime games will be crucial.

“You’re going to be playing some of the hardest teams in the NFL,” he said. “The Arizona Cardinals, the San Francisco 49ers, the Buffalo Bills, who have a great defense, the Los Angeles Rams, the Arizona Cardinals and (the Philadelphia Eagles). You’re going to have quite a few primetime games during that stretch and run as well, so that’s going to be a really key part. You’re talking about MVP race? Well, you’ve got to perform during that stretch.”

Wilson is in the midst of his prime, and the Seahawks must capitalize on that before it is too late.

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