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10 Things We Learned From Day 1 Of Seahawks OTAs

Key takeaways from Day 1 of Seattle's Organized Team Activities.

The Seahawks held their first set of Organized Team Activities (OTAs) on Tuesday, a voluntary, non-contact practice session featuring veterans and rookies at Renton's Virginia Mason Athletic Center.

Here's 10 things we learned from Day 1 of Seattle's OTAs:

1. The Practice Tempo Has Been Adjusted

The Seahawks have been penalized practice time by the NFL in the past for violating on-field contact rules permitted during offseason workouts. Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll, who addressed the media after practice, said he and his staff have made a concerted effort to abide by the NFL's offseason guidelines.

"We made a big effort the last couple weeks here to understand better - we can all get better - about the OTA tempo and all that we've had some issues with in the past," said Carroll. 

Carroll said he brought in Jon Ferrari from the NFL's management council to show instructional film to Seahawks coaches ahead of the team's OTA schedule.

"I thought we did a great job today and we're off to a great start," said Carroll. "That's just one day, but we want to do this exactly the way it's supposed to be done. We push sometimes and we practice so hard here that we missed the tempo a couple times, so I'm glad that we've got off to that kind of start. Guys have really took to the lessons of it and had a really exciting day. We're off and running."

2. Cliff Avril, Jimmy Graham & Russell Wilson Were Absent

Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril, tight end Jimmy Graham, and quarterback Russell Wilson were all away tending to personal issues on Tuesday.

Avril and Graham suffered losses in their families over the weekend and Wilson flew to Miami to be with Graham. The Seattle signal caller was joined by Vice President of Player Engagement Mo Kelly. The pair hopes to visit Avril, too, Carroll said.

3. Earl Thomas' Timeline

Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas didn't participate in Tuesday's on-field work as he continues to rehab from the offseason surgery he had on the shoulder he injured in this past January's NFC Championship against the Green Bay Packers. Carroll said the team is targeting training camp for Thomas' return.

"He looks great," Carroll said. "They're really fired up about his return and the rehab work he's done already, so it looks like it should be no problem. We'll have to wait and see once he gets back out there."

4. Who's Throwing The Football

With Wilson away and last year's backup quarterback Tarvaris Jackson still an unrestricted free agent, Tuesday's quarterback reps were split between B.J. Daniels and R.J. Archer.

Carroll called it a "big day" for Daniels, who was working at wide receiver toward the tail end of 2014.

"He jumps right back, kind of how it might happen somewhere down the road," said Carroll. "So it's good work for him."

Archer, who signed in Seattle this past February and participated in the team's three-day rookie minicamp earlier this month, has impressed Carroll and the Seahawks coaching staff.

"We've really been happy with him," said Carroll. "He's been right on the installation. He hasn't had any problem at all commanding the huddle or the communications, the checks, all of that stuff. He's really on it. Very competitive kid, too. He's got a nice arm and he's done a good job. This is a great opportunity for him, a tremendous opportunity for him these next couple days, whatever it is, to just feel what it's like to be running the show. Quarterbacks need to sense that and he's grown up being the lead guy and I think he'll take full advantage of this."

Carroll said nothing has changed in the team's free-agent talks with Jackson and the Seattle coach wouldn't commit when asked whether or not the Seahawks need to add another arm this offseason.

5. Robert Turbin's Road To Recovery

Running back Robert Turbin, who had hip surgery this offseason, is expected to be ready for training camp, Carroll said. The original timeline the team gave was for Turbin to be ready by the start of the 2015 season.

"Hopefully we'll see him in the next couple of weeks sometime here so we can check up on him," Carroll said of Turbin, who's training "up north" according to the Seahawks head coach. "But all reports are great and he's had a very successful surgery and recovery so far, so we're pleased about that."

Seahawks begin Organized Team Activities at Virginia Mason Athletic Center as rookies and vets alike take the practice field for the first time this season.

6. Christine Michael Will See A Lot Of Work

With Turbin on the mend and incumbent starter Marshawn Lynch not in attendance for the start of the team's voluntary workouts, third-year pro Christine Michael is in line to get a lot of work as offseason practices continue.

"This is a great time for him to just settle in and be comfortable with the spot, getting all the featured reps and all that," Carroll said. "He'll have a camp that will really call on him to take charge of the camp and he'll get all of the preseason work, save some, so this is a fantastic time for him. This is his time."

Carroll cited consistency and durability as areas of improvement for Michael moving forward.

"I think just coming back, have a good game and come on back and have another one, stay with the workload, handle the bumps and the bruises that come," said Carroll. "He's an exciting back. He's so comfortable now. I can't imagine we don't see him at his very best when we come back out and get to the real camp."

7. Alvin Bailey Lost Weight

Seattle saw starting left guard James Carpenter sign with the New York Jets in free agency this offseason. The coaching staff has said it sees Alvin Bailey as the next-man-up at the spot if the team were to play a game right now.

Bailey reported to the first day of OTAs visibly slimmer than he was a season ago. Carroll said Bailey had been in the 350-pound range for "a long time." The team currently lists him at 320 pounds.

"I think it's a great statement that he's ready for this opportunity," said Carroll. "I think he realizes his shot."

8. Lemuel Jeanpierre Saw First-Team Reps At Center

The Seahawks lost starting center Max Unger to the New Orleans Saints this past March as part of the trade for Graham. Taking over starting snaps for the veteran center on the first day of OTAs was Lemuel Jeanpierre, who re-signed with the Seahawks this offseason.

"We start off based on experience," Carroll said of Jeanpierre, who started games in place of an injured Unger last year. "He's been around and played in a lot of games for us and done well. He helps other guys play well. He's the best-versed at our system and he's taken a real leadership role there with the young guys."

One of those "young guys" also seeing reps at center is rookie Kristjan Sokoli, a college defensive lineman the Seahawks selected in the sixth round of the 2015 draft to play center. Sokoli worked extensively at the spot during the team's rookie minicamp and saw even more time at the position on Tuesday.

"To see Kristjan in there at center is pretty important," said Carroll. "We'll leave him there until there's reason otherwise because he needs every snap he can get. He had a very good day today."

9. Jesse Williams Is Scheduled For Surgery

Carroll revealed Jesse Williams will undergo kidney surgery this Thursday, May 28. The Seahawks defensive tackle was recently diagnosed with Papillary Type 2 cancer.

10. Who Sat Out

Joining Thomas on the sidelines on Tuesday were wide receivers Chris Matthews, Kevin Norwood, and Paul Richardson, cornerbacks Jeremy Lane and Tharold Simon, defensive tackles Tony McDaniel and Brandon Mebane, running back Rod Smith, and fullback Will Tukuafu.

Carroll said Matthews and Norwood should return to work in the next couple of days, while McDaniel's injury doesn't appear to be serious.

Richardson (knee) and Lane (arm, knee) could each be ready for training camp, Carroll said, but the team will be cautious bringing them back to full speed. Mebane, meanwhile, is also expected back for training camp after a torn hamstring sent him to injured reserve last year.

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