1. The offensive progression is evident.
Throughout organized team activities and minicamp, the Seahawks defense often got the better of the offense over the course of any given practice. And that was to be expected. After all, the defense, which returns 10 of 11 starters from the end of last season, was one of the best in the league in the second half of last season, and is back enjoying the benefit of continuity, both from a personnel standpoint and in Mike Macdonald’s scheme. The offense, meanwhile, is starting over with a new coordinator, Klint Kubiak, starting quarterback, Sam Darnold, and several new pass catchers, including veteran receivers Cooper Kupp and Marquez Valdes-Scantling.
And while the defense might still be ahead of the offense early in training camp, that gap is closing as the offense continues to grow.
A day earlier, Macdonald said the offense is “right on schedule” and there were plenty of impressive throws from Sam Darnold to show that progress.
The work done in OTAs and minicamp are the biggest reason for that improvement, but what also helped the offense hit the ground running in camp were the informal workouts Darnold organized with receivers and tight ends in Southern California during the break between minicamp and training camp.
“It speaks to the connection,” Macdonald said. “We talk about 12 as One around here, and it isn’t like I was going to Sam telling him to get the guys together, and that was totally driven by Sam and the rest of the guys. I don’t know how many routes they ran, or how well it went, but it’s just important for them to be together, talk through those things, and I think it sets them up to have a better start to camp, and that’s really important.”