OTA's ramp up for Seahawks as veterans show up for workouts

Tre Brown, Aashari Crosswell 6-8-21

RENTON -- The practice field at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center was far more populated on Tuesday that it has been for previous days of Organized Team Activities for the Seattle Seahawks.

Russell Wilson, Bobby Wagner, DK Metcalf and many more prominent players were back on the practice field as veterans have reported for voluntary workouts after jointly skipping the early stages of offseason workouts. While several veterans such as safeties Quandre Diggs and Jamal Adams, tackle Duane Brown, wide receiver Tyler Lockett and running back Chris Carson remained absent, there was a far more complete roster taking part in Tuesday's practice session.

For Wilson, Metcalf and other offensive players, it begins their time together to work on learning the new offense being brought to Seattle by new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron.

"It's a new offense, so there's a lot of different new things to learn," Metcalf said on Tuesday. "That's one reason why we're here in OTAs is just to get our feet wet in the offense, try to take care of as many mistakes as we can early so during training camp it's going to be smooth sailing."

Metcalf described the offense Waldron is teaching as "intricate" and that it will be a departure from the team has run offensively prior to Waldron's arrival.

"It's a lot of different kinds of routes that people haven't seen from either team that he's coached," Metcalf said. "So I'm just excited to get to work with him and get to hone in on those other skills."

Waldron takes over as offensive coordinator from Brian Schottenheimer, who held the job the past three years before being let go at the end of last season amid "philosophical differences" with head coach Pete Carroll. Metcalf said his early impressions of Waldron have been positive.

"He's a hungry coach, that's what I like about him," Metcalf said. "He's always trying to learn something new, not only about the players, but about the game of football and about offense. He's always coming up with new ways to try to get his playmakers the ball."

Metcalf said that more veterans that were absent for Tuesday's practice are expected to join the team later this week ahead of next week's mandatory mini-camp.

Michael Dickson gets pizza to celebrate new contract:

Punter Michael Dickson signed a four-year contract extension with the Seahawks last week and had a pizza night with his girlfriend to celebrate the accomplishment.

"We talked about it that morning like 'oh let's get pizza tonight' and then signed the deal and I was looking forward to pizza all day so we're getting pizza. Let's do it," Dickson said.

Dickson was entering the final year of his rookie contract with the team coming off a really strong 2020 season. In fact, Dickson said he felt his performance last season surpassed that of his rookie season in 2018 when he was named a first-team All-Pro.

"My year last year, stats-wise, definitely better last year," Dickson said. "I had some goals written down and, if you include the playoff game, I hit all of my standards of goals that I wanted to hit stats-wise. It was a more sustainable year the way I approached it. I really want to carry that into this year. I've been carrying it through the offseason."

Dickson said the new contract was an exciting moment for him and a big accomplishment for his career.

"Yeah, I'm pumped," Dickson said. "That was the dream. ... I really wanted to get to the Seahawks and then they drafted me and that was a dream come true and to know that I can spend another 4-5 years here is just the best thing that could have happened to me, for sure."

Notes:

Players not in attendance: FS Quandre Diggs, DE Carlos Dunlap, WR Tyler Lockett, RB Travis Homer, RB DeeJay Dallas, RB Chris Carson, SS Jamal Adams, FB Nick Bellore, OT Duane Brown, DT Al Woods, DE Benson Mayowa, DE Aldon Smith.

Players in attendance but not participating: WR D'Wayne Eskridge, RB Rashaad Penny, RB B.J. Emmons, WR Cade Johnson.

With so many running backs not in attendance or sitting out, the duties fell to Alex Collins and Josh Johnson for the short practice session.

Photo Credit: Seahawks defensive backs Tre Brown (No. 22) and Aashari Crosswell (No. 39) go through drills during a practice as part of the team's Organized Team Activities on June 8, 2021. (photo by Curtis Crabtree / Sports Radio 950 KJR)


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