On Monday, we listed what I learned from the Seahawks’ mandatory minicamp. Tuesday, we’ll spell out the stickier stuff that I’m still trying to figure out starting with who Seattle will start at quarterback when the season begins:
Who’s starting at quarterback?
Geno Smith has the lead, Pete Carroll said last week, echoing what offensive coordinator Shane Waldron said earlier this offseason. Experience is cited as the reason for his current advantage over Drew Lock. Smith is entering his second year under Waldron while Lock is in his first year under Waldron. Now it’s worth noting Lock has a fair amount of experience in picking up new offensive schemes. Waldron is his sixth different offensive coordinator in his last eight seasons going back to college Missouri. Seriously. He had three different coordinators and QB coaches in college, Waldron is his third different OC in the pros.
My best guess: Smith begins the season as Seattle’s starting quarterback, but Lock assumes that role by mid-October.
2. Is Jamal Adams going to hold up?
If I was a shameless optimist I would try and sell you on the idea that Adams having two of his fingers fused would lead to an uptick in his interceptions. I’m not that optimistic, though I will say it’s unlikely to lessen the number of picks given that he has four in his five seasons. While Adams is not yet cleared to practice, he took part in the Seahawks’ walk-throughs last week and he should be ready for training camp. The question is not whether he’ll be ready to play when the regular season begins. He will be. The questions is whether he’ll remain able to play over the course of this season.
He has underwent surgery on the same shoulder after each of the past two seasons, which is not encouraging for a guy whose signature is his hitting ability. There’s no doubt Adams will be back for next season. The question is entirely one of his effectiveness and durability. If you’re looking for precedent, defensive end Patrick Kerney suffered a torn labrum in his left shoulder in a wild-card playoff game in 2007 and reinsured the shoulder midway through the 2008 season. He came back to play 15 games the following year before retiring. There’s a significant difference in age, though. Adams was 25 when he underwent the first of those shoulder surgeries for the first time, Kerney was 31.
My best guess: No, and I hate that I feel that way. I love the way Adams plays, but you look at the plays he was injured on the past two years, and it doesn’t exactly instill confidence that he’s going to be more resilient going forward.
3. Is this the year Seattle’s tight ends live up to the offseason hype?
Carroll singled out Noah Fant last week, saying the tight end Seattle acquired in the Russell Wilson trade has had perhaps the most spectacular offseason of anyone. Then Carroll said Colby Parkinson is becoming a trusted target while Will Dissly has proven himself as a more-than-capable blocker and productive receiver. It’s almost enough to convince you Seattle’s tight ends will be difference makers this season. And then you remember that’s what we always say this time a year. We did it last year when Seattle signed Gerald Everett from the Rams. We did it the year before with Greg Olsen. Then there was Jimmy Graham in 2015, and hell, I can remember writing about Kellen Winslow in 2012 and he didn’t even make the regular-season roster. You know the old saying, “Four times bitten, fifth time shy.”
My best guess: Yes. This year Seattle’s tight ends will play a larger role in the offense than ever under Carroll, which is saying something because Graham set receiving records for the position. But let’s face it, throwing to the tight end was not Wilson’s strong suit so I’m forecasting a heavy does of two tight end sets with Fant and Dissly with Parkinson proving himself a strong receiving threat.