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'Great Spirit' & Other Observations From Day 3 Of Seahawks Training Camp

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

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The Seahawks wrapped up their third practice of training camp Friday afternoon, a session that featured an increase in intensity, and trash talk, livening up the action.

Pads won't go on until Monday, Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said, but there was still some rather spirited action taking place even with minimal contact.

More on that, and other observations from Day 3 of Seahawks camp:

1. Macdonald liked what he saw from his players on Friday.

There's a fine line that football teams have to walk when it comes to practice for what is by its nature a violent sport. To prepare for game action, teammates need to go hard at each other, and sometimes tempers can boil over. But on Friday, Macdonald was impressed with the way his team walked that line on a spirited afternoon session that feature big moments for both the offense and defense, plenty of smack talk—to the surprise of no one, Devon Witherspoon led the way there—and the right balance of intensity and care for teammates' well-being.

"That was a great practice," Macdonald said. "A lot of great spirit, a lot of great competition. It's the right mix of, hey, we're getting after it, but we're taking care of one another, sharpening each other, talking some smack, all three phases doing a lot of great stuff. But obviously we're not close to being where we need to be, we know that, but for Day 3, just excited about the effort, the intent, and just the overall competition. That was a great day.

"It's the right mix… Right where we want it to be."

2. The Sam Darnold to Jaxon Smith-Njigba connection is looking good.

After Jaxon Smith-Njigba led the Seahawks with 100 catches and 1,130 receiving yards last season, there was no doubt coming into training camp that he will again be one of the offense's top playmakers in 2025, and with each passing practice, it is clear that he is building good chemistry with new quarterback Sam Darnold.

On Friday, Darnold hit Smith-Njigba on several intermediate and long passes, including a couple of impressive passes over the middle. There is still room for the offense to grow, but the connection between those two is encouraging early.

There was, however, one pass attempt to Smith-Njigba that didn't go so well for the defense, which brings us to…

3. Julian Love makes it two interceptions for Seahawks safeties in as many days.

Not long after Darnold hit Smith-Njigba on back to back plays, he went back to the Pro-Bowl receiver again on a deep crossing route, and at first glance, it looked like Smith-Njigba had a step on his man and would make the catch. Safety Julian Love had other ideas, however, dropping back into the passing lane to undercut Smith-Njigba for a leaping interception.

It was a similar play to safety D'Anthony Bell's interception on Thursday, one that showed why Macdonald's defense can be so challenging for opposing offenses. And speaking of Bell, he had another highlight play Friday, punching the ball away from a running back for a forced fumble.

4. DeMarcus Lawrence is a regular presence in the backfield.

In the earliest stages of his Seahawks career, Lawrence has made a strong impression with his work ethic and the influence he has on his younger teammates. But more than anything, the Seahawks signed the 12-year veteran and four-time Pro-Bowler to be a playmaker for their defense, and early in his first camp with Seattle, Lawrence very much looks like a player capable of doing just that.

On one of the first plays of the team portion of Friday's practice, Lawrence broke through for what would have been a sack if quarterbacks weren't off limit to contact, and he had several other pass rush wins throughout the day. Lawrence, who is also an elite run defender, shot into the backfield on one play to meet Kenneth Walker III almost as soon as he took the handoff.

5. Tyrice Knight looks like he's making strides in Year 2.

Linebacker Tyrice Knight had a very strong rookie campaign, taking over a starting role in the second half of the season, recording 88 tackles, three tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Joining newcomer Ernest Jones IV in the lineup, Knight was part of a defensive turnaround that helped the Seahawks finish the year strong on that side of the ball as the team won six of their final eight games.

But for as well as Knight played last season, he is looking early in camp like a player who could be on his way to making a Year 2 leap. Both in run defense and pass coverage, Knight looks decisive and fast, putting himself in position to make plays.

"He ended the season with a lot of confidence, knowing that he can play at a high level in this league," Macdonald said. "And I think he has a vision for himself and what type of player he expects himself to be, and he's doing all those things to take himself to that level—changing his body, having a great offseason, mentally being sharp. But that (position) room, the rest of our defense, yeah, good start, we've done a lot of great things, but let's step on the gas, man. We've got to take it to the next level every day, and T-Knight will be a big part of that."

Check out photos of the Seahawks roster heading into training camp.

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