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Elite QB Play & Other Observations From Day 3 Of Seahawks Training Camp

News, notes and observations from the third practice of Seahawks training camp.

Training Camp Observations - Day 3

The Seahawks were back on the field Friday for their third practice of training camp, one that featured some bright spots on both sides of the ball, and, in what is becoming a trend early in camp, one that featured a lot of positive moments for the first-team offense, particularly in the passing game.

With that in mind, here are five observations from Day 3 of Seahawks camp:

1. Geno Smith is "on an elite level" to start camp.

Almost as soon as the offense took the field for the 11-on-11 portion of practice, Geno Smith found DK Metcalf running free and hit Metcalf in stride for a long touchdown. Those two would connect repeatedly throughout practice, including a couple of touchdowns in red-zone drills, and Smith made plenty of other big plays throwing to his other targets, including a deep completion to Jaxon Smith-Njigba, a highlight-reel touchdown to Tyler Lockett (more on that below), and a couple of absolute lasers over the middle of the field for completions.

There's a lot of work to still be done before the start of the season, but so far Smith and the rest of the passing game have looked outstanding while learning a new scheme under offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb.

"Geno looks great," defensive lineman Jarran Reed said. "He looked great last year. I think he looks so focused this year. His timing is good, his reads are good. Everything he is doing right now is elite. I think he is on an elite level right now. I'm so excited to see what our offense has to bring this year."

2. Tyler Lockett's spectacular touchdown catch was the play of the day.

DK Metcalf is a highlight machine, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba looks poised for a breakout season, but even with those two players shining, don't sleep on the longest tenured member of the team, Tyler Lockett. Heading into Year 10, Lockett is looking as dangerous as ever, finding ways to get open for third down conversions, and as has been the case throughout his career, making spectacular grabs on sidelines and in the end zone.

On Friday Lockett turned in the play of the day, despite objections from the defense who didn't agree with the call, hauling in a diving touchdown reception on a pass from Smith. On the play in question, Smith lofted a pass over the outstretched hands of cornerback Tre Brown, who had tight coverage, and Lockett secured the ball going to the ground just as he went out of bounds. The play was ruled a touchdown, though there was a bobble as Lockett went down and it was very close as to whether or not he regained control, pinning the ball to his shoulder, before he was out of bounds. Either way, it was a spectacular grab in a career full of them.

3. McClendon Curtis continues to show his versatility and value.

During most of the offseason workout program, McClendon Curtis worked at right guard, frequently with the No. 1 offense as Anthony Bradford, a 10-game starter last year, was sidelined by an injury. But with Bradford back and with rookie Christian Haynes expected to compete there as well, Curtis has gone back to tackle, the position he played after joining the team last season. And with Abraham Lucas on the PUP list and George Fant getting a day off, Curtis found himself once again in the starting lineup.

"That's so valuable for an offensive line," guard Laken Tomlinson said. "Being able to play either tackle, guard, or going from right tackle to left tackle, you just never know. I've been in a ton of offensive lines where you never know, somebody goes down and someone needs to step up, having that next man up. And honestly, if you have someone like that in the line who just comes in, who won't skip a beat, who is in operation in the offensive line and in the offense, it's fantastic. So I super appreciate that from him as well."

4. A healthy Uchenna Nwosu is back to wrecking plays.

For his first season and a half with the Seahawks, outside linebacker Uchenna Nwosu established himself as one of the team's most valuable players on defense, so it was hardly a surprise that the defense took a step back when he went down with a season-ending pectoral injury midway through last season.

Nwosu has been back for a while, taking part in offseason workouts, but as the tempo increases in training camp, his playmaking ability is showing up even more. On one such play Friday, Nwosu shot past a would-be blocker and into the backfield nearly as soon as the ballcarrier took the handoff for what would have been a tackle for a big loss were the defense actually tackling.

"Uchenna has great leadership, he's a great player on the edge," Reed said. "He's that physical player on the edge that can rush the passer. I think we missed that a lot last season. No knock on the other guys that stepped up for us last season, but Uchenna is a huge part of our defense and it's great to have him out there."

Reed elaborated on Nwosu's game, saying "Just the physicality that he has on the edge. Being able to knock tight ends around, being able to be quick enough to move swiftly enough around tackles, you don't see that especially a guy like Uchenna to come out and do that. It's great to have him out there. I love playing with him."

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5. Welcome back, Marquise Blair.

Marquise Blair signed with the Seahawks on Friday, returning to the franchise that drafted him in the second round of the 2019 draft. As would be expected for a player on his first day of camp after missing last season due to an Achilles injury, Blair was limited in his work load Friday, but his teammates, especially those who were around when Blair here from 2019 through training camp in 2022, it was great to see him back.

"I really think the world of Marquise," quarterback Geno Smith said. "I'm happy he was able to battle through some injuries. When I saw him in the locker room, everyone was just so excited, all the guys who have been here with him. we know what he went through to get back, and we're wishing him the best. I can't wait for him to get out on the field and keep showing his stuff."

Added Reed, "Blair is a great player. He's a hard hitter. We like physical players around here, getting back to Seahawks football."

Reed noted he has worked out in Miami with Blair in recent offseasons, saying "That guy works hard. I think he deserves the opportunity in this league, especially here, to come back and play football again."

The Seahawks held their second practice of training camp on July 25, 2024 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.

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