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What We Learned at Seahawks Training Camp From Rookies Jarran Reed and Alex Collins

Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed and running back Alex Collins share their take on rookie life in the NFL.

Defensive tackle Jarran Reed, the team's 2016 second-round draft pick, and running back Alex Collins, who Seattle drafted in the fifth round, each met with the media following the sixth practice of Seahawks training camp at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.

Here's a few things we learned from each of the Seahawks rookies:

Jarren Reed

"You've Got To Listen To Learn"

Reed, who helped lead the Alabama Crimson Tide to victory in the College Football Playoff National Championship game last season, was asked about going from being his team's alpha dog to competing for a starting spot during his first year in the NFL, where he's learning from veteran players like Ahtyba Rubin, Jordan Hill, Michael Bennett, and Cliff Avril.

"It's a respect factor," Reed said. "You've got to listen to learn. These guys have been playing this game a long time and they can't do nothing but help us, help us all to get better. So whatever those guys say and tell us to do we are listening. That's why all the rookies are in full effect. Those guys have a lot of wisdom, especially on the defensive line we got numerous amount of talent. We have some Pro Bowlers on the defensive line, some nine and ten year guys. Those guys help me a lot."

It's Important To "Show Them What You've Got"

Up front, Friday's workout was fairly tame compared to the passion that came out on Thursday. But Reed said the physical interactions and occasional dust-ups with the offensive line have done nothing but make him and the defensive line better, adding "I think it is important that you come here, you show them what you've got because they respect that."

"It's a very competitive game, playing in the trenches, especially at the line of scrimmage," said Reed. "You've got to be physical, you've got to be tough. That is just the game and how it goes. The game is played in the trenches, won in the trenches if you ask me. Our offensive line makes us better if you ask me and we are trying to make them better as well." 

Alex Collins

What Defines a Seahawks Running Back

For the first time since 2010, the Seahawks will begin the regular season without running back Marshawn Lynch, the team's longtime starter and "Beast Mode" ball carrier who retired this offseason. From Collins to veteran Christine Michael to second-year pro Thomas Rawls and rookies on the mend like C.J. Prosise and Zac Brooks, the players in line to replace Lynch differ in both size and playstyle. But the group works to possess a trait that Collins said defines a Seahawks running back.

"I'd say definitely toughness," said Collins. "Our coach [Sherman Smith] likes to look at it as we set the tone and the tempo for the team. Everyone feeds off the running backs. We've got to run down the field and get the defense chasing. We set the tone, so I embrace that and our group embraces that. That's just what we try to do every day. We try to come out hard and fast and we've just got to have that edge about us. That's what we try to bring to the table."

The Veteran He Relies On Most For Advice

Collins said he relies on "all" the veterans for NFL advice, but specifically called out one player in quarterback Russell Wilson as who he's looked to most for help through the early stages of training camp.

"I look at Russell the most because he's the leader of the offense, and especially with his calls and everything," Collins said. "I just want to know how he's thinking so we can get on the same page."

Look through the best photos from the sixth day of training camp held at Virginia Mason Athletic Center. 

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