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Seahawks Rookie Offensive Lineman Terry Poole: "I Can Tell My Game Is Developing Already"

Catching up with rookie offensive lineman Terry Poole during the first week of Seahawks training camp.

When Tom Cable heads into the NFL Draft each spring, the Seahawks assistant head coach/offensive line coach is armed with a list of "seven or eight" pre-draft targets.

Terry Poole, who Seattle took in the fourth round (No. 130 overall) of this year's draft, was one of Cable's marks, and through the first week of the team's 2015 training camp, Poole - a 6-foot-5, 323-pounder out of San Diego State - has been working at both guard and tackle under the offensive line guru.

"He's a great teacher," Poole said of his relationship with Cable, who he said he grew up a fan of living in the Bay Area. "He coaches you straight up, no B.S. He gets you right, no doubt. I can tell my game is developing already. I've just got to stick with it and keep going."

A junior college transfer from Monterey Peninsula, the Seaside, Calif. native Poole started all 25 games he played in at San Diego State. Twelve of those starts came at right tackle in 2013 and the other 13 came at left tackle during his senior season. Poole compared his jump from JUCO football to Division-I to the jump players experience going from Division-I to the NFL.

"Everybody in the NFL is good," Poole said. "In D-I you have a couple people that might not be as up to par as everybody else, but everybody in the NFL is bringing their A-game all the time."

For many rookies the mental aspect of the game can be most taxing. Poole agreed, noting he's using the early stages of training camp to get used to the League's increased tempo, different terminology, and expanded playbook.

"I'm playing guard and tackle, so just grasping that," Poole said. "But it's been a pretty good experience so far. I feel like I'm doing pretty good about learning the playbook. Everything is going to come together."

Helping welcome Poole to the League was another former Aztec in Eric Pinkins, who the Seahawks picked up in the sixth round of last year's draft. The two players were friends at San Diego State and remain close now that both of their careers are rooted in the Pacific Northwest.

"We ate dinner a few times at a couple places in Seattle, nice places," Poole said. "We went to the beach one time. We come to the facility together on our days off and go in the cold tub, hot tub, steam room, and all that stuff together, so it's cool.

"He's showed me how to be a professional," Poole added. "It's just good having him here. We motivate each other big time."

With the 130th pick the Seahawks choose Terry Poole from San Diego State.

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