Seahawks Mini Camp Provides Glimpse of Future

We’re midway through the June mini-camps and everything has gone according to plan for the Seattle Seahawks. Chris Gray, Darryl Tapp and Deion Branch all had family issues for excused absences last week.
Particularly eye-catching this week was fourth round draft choice Baraka Atkins, the defensive end from Miami. He spent the bulk of the time during 7-on-7 and two-minute drills in the backfield chasing the quarterback. His size and speed are unmistakable. Third round pick Brandon Mebane also played well, but didn’t stand out as much because of his position.
Top pick Josh Wilson continued to progress, as did second-year corner Kelly Jennings. But it was veteran Marcus Trufant who stood out among the defensive backs. He consistently made plays, sometimes spectacular in nature. The new energy in the secondary – with the additions of Deon Grant, Brian Russell and coach Jim Mora remains unmistakable.
On the offensive side of the football, Matt Hasselbeck is getting stronger, Shaun Alexander looks fast and in great shape at running back, with wide receivers D.J. Hackett and Bobby Engram looking particularly good. Ben Obomanu has progressed after spending most of his rookie year on the practice squad, and Nate Burleson has made plays as well. Of the rookies, Joe Fernandez, Logan Payton, Chris Jones and Courtney Taylor have been very involved. Jordan Kent is slowly getting healthier from his foot injury and adjusting to the offense.
It was good to have Chris Spencer getting healthier and playing in drills at center, while Floyd Womack went back under the arthroscope to clean up his knees and Ray Willis – while improving more than they had even imagined in the switch from tackle to guard – broke a finger, but just patched it up and played.
Also, the team remains particularly conservative bringing back the rehabilitating Patrick Kerney, Jordan Babineaux, Michael Boulware and Mike Green. In other words, so far, so good as the second and final week of the June mini-camps unfolds Monday and runs through Thursday.
Then it will be to the individual players to see who sticks around for the seven weeks before training camp begins.