Camp is About Chemistry

In a previous post, I discussed injuries with the main focus on their impact as far as who will make the team. An additional aspect that is proving to be increasingly important is team chemistry. Steve Hutchinson’s replacement needs to develop chemistry with the rest of the line, Walter Jones in particular, in order for our line to maintain the continuity that is critical to success. Also, the most obvious need for rapport comes in the passing game between the quarterback and his receivers.

In discussing Hutchinson’s likely replacement, Floyd Womack, at the first mini-camp, Walter Jones said, "These camps help to know how he sees the game. Me and Hutch, we had an understanding how we blocked things. Floyd is a guy I haven't played with, so we need that time together" (this comes from an article by Clare Farnsworth). As Mike Sando reported, Womack missed practice today as a precaution after he suffered some soreness in the triceps tendon that sidelined him for much of last season. He also pointed out that, "Womack has missed game or practice time because of injuries to his quadriceps, triceps, calf, heel, toe, knee, ankle, hip, hand and head. All since entering the league in 2001." Given that the players are not really hitting each other yet, it is not encouraging that he has re-aggravated the same injury. It was only one practice, but if he continues to be sidelined by various ailments throughout camp, then it is Tom Ashworth that will develop chemistry with Walter Jones, and Tom Ashworth that will be starting at left guard to replace Steve Hutchinson. As Sando also noted, today at camp "Womack rode a stationary bike off to the side while Tom Ashworth worked overtime at left guard (Ashworth played left guard in every line combination I saw)." If this keeps up, then it does not look good for Womack starting.

At the wide receiver position, I previously noted how detrimental it was for Skyler Fulton to be missing these passing camps, and I used D.J. Hackett as the counter example from last season. "Someone to think about here is D.J. Hackett. When he came in last season after all the injuries to our WRs, Matt Hasselbeck was much more comfortable throwing the ball to him because they had worked together in camp" (from post on June 8). Four days later, Hackett made me look really smart when he talked to Mike Kahn at Seahawks.com. "Last offseason we worked together a lot and that made a big difference," Hackett said. "The year before I didn’t work at all with Matt, but last year he had a lot more confidence in me once the season started because we had worked together. This year it should help even more." Ben Obomanu has had the chance to get some work with Hasselbeck and Seneca Wallace, while Skyler Fulton made his first appearance today (he was basically just given a tour by Gibran Hamdan). He has missed a lot of valuable time and will be even more pressed than he already was to impress coaches during training camp. If he suffers even minor injuries in training camp, he basically has no chance to compete for a spot. Receivers coach Nolan Cromwell gave the impression that the Seahawks might only keep five receivers when he discussed Ben Obomanu without much enthusiasm, considering he is almost certaintly leading the race for the sixth spot on the depth chart. However, if they do keep six, then Obomanu should have another leg up on Fulton due to his speed. The aforementioned article by Mike Kahn also discusses the role D.J. Hackett poses as a vertical threat. Obomanu is considerably faster than Fulton and probably has the fastest 40-yard dash time of all our receivers (From NFL Draft Scout, Powered by the SportsXchange: Obomanu – 4.45, Burleson - 4.51, Hackett – 4.53, Jackson - 4.58, Warrick - 4.61, Fulton - 4.67). Most of the other Seahawk receivers are yards-after-catch guys, so Obomanu could help bolster our vertical passing game. If he continues to get work with Hasselbeck, he could find himself in situation similar to D.J. Hackett last year if we get hit with the injury bug.