Pete Carroll Shares 3 Takeaways From First Week Of OTAs

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll met with reporters on Thursday following the first open day of Organized Team Activities (OTAs) to the media. Here are three quick takeaways from what he had to say: 1. Brian Schottenheimer's "In Total Command" Of The Offense The Seahawks made a change at offensive coordinator this offseason with the addition of Brian Schottenheimer. It's the first time the Seahawks made a change at the position since Darrell Bevell — who was relieved of his duties in January — took over for Jeremy Bates in 2011. Schottenheimer's upbeat and personal presence has been felt since his arrival, working with players and being upfront with them in getting them to develop “Schotty’s a really impressive coach," Carroll said. "He’s very hands on, he’s very active, he’s in total command. Whether it’s installing the offense or he’s coaching the quarterback, he’s very active, very energetic. There’s no space between something happening and Russ (Russell Wilson) getting critiqued. Russell has really responded to it, he enjoys the challenge of it. Schotty is challenging him to keep moving and growing as a quarterback. You look at all the years he’s been playing, but still there’s always been more growth, there’s always more to learn and understand and Schotty has opened the door to that for Russell. Hopefully we’re going to see the best version that he can put out there this time around because he’s been challenged more than ever. It’s an exciting relationship that we’re watching unfold.”2. He's excited about the group of running backs Seattle's running game the past two seasons hasn’t been up to Carroll’s standards, and it's an area he wants to get going in 2018. The Seahawks have been plagued by injuries at the position during that time frame but definitely have a unique group from a talent perspective to ascend back to the top of the league, from Chris Carson, to C.J. Prosise, to J.D. McKissic, to first-round pick Rashaad Penny. At OTAs, Carroll's been able to get an early look at the skills the group could bring. “I’m really excited about that," Carroll said. "It’s just feels different just to have everybody healthy and out there working and all. We had really high hopes for C.J. (Prosise) and we’ve seen Mike Davis play really good for us and we got excited about J.D. McKissic, and now to see Chris (Carson) back — he’s had a tremendous offseason — and to add Rashaad (Penny) there as well, it’s just a really fine group. They’re very versatile, there’s really kind of no restrictions on what they can do in terms of catching the ball and getting out of the backfield and in the kicking game and all kinds of stuff. It’s a really good group and it helps that they’re all healthy, it keeps their reps down and hopefully we can keep marching forward in a positive way and just keep growing. It’s the source of my excitement to see all those guys together because we’ve needed them. It’s been two years of really not having the group all together, so it’s pleasing." 3. Injury updates It's the midway point of the offseason, and although the Seahawks don't have any notable injuries, they have been slowing things down for some players. Kicker Sebastian Janikowski was absent Thursday but Carroll said he had a small hip problem and needed a little bit of rest. It's a similar situation with guard D.J. Fluker (knee), and Carroll said at this point in the offseason they just don't want to push guys too much to get right from their injuries with the season months away.

Pete Carroll Shares 3 Takeaways From First Week Of OTAs

Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll talked about new offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and more on Thursday.