Seattle Seahawks Training Camp: What’s New This Season

You are not going to be asked to run wind sprints, do the Oklahoma drill or carry a veteran's pads. You have no excuse to not be excited about Seahawks training camp, starting on July 25 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center.

Here is what is new at this year's camp:

Quarterback

There is no competition for the starting job, unlike last year's three-headed competition between Russell Wilson, free agent Matt Flynn and deposed starter Tarvaris Jackson. This year's quarterback drama will exist solely on whom among Jackson and Brady Quinn will earn the backup spot. The loser of this battle will likely be sent packing. The other element to keep an eye on is how well Wilson can develop a strong rapport with new offensive toy Percy Harvin, while continuing his timing with his other main receiving options: Zach Miller, Sidney Rice, Golden Tate and Doug Baldwin.

Running Back

The new wrinkle among this group is a new No. 3 back: second-round draft choice Christine Michael. Marshawn Lynch will remain the starter and hopefully be rested and ready for week one. Michael could push second-year back Robert Turbin for playing time. Both should see plenty of preseason action. At fullback, rookie Spencer Ware may very well force veteran Michael Robinson off the roster.

Receivers

Percy Harvin, late of the Minnesota Vikings, is expected to assume the No. 1 receiver role in Seattle. Consequently, expect to see Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell devise numerous ways to use Harvin's unique skills, while Seattle's other receivers adjust to being less of the offensive focus. The tight ends begin and end with Zach Miller. Rookie fifth-round draft pick Luke Willson may be asked to play a big role.

Offensive Line

All five starters from last season return: left tackle Russell Okung, left guard Paul McQuistan, center Max Unger, right guard J.R. Sweezy and right tackle Breno Giacomini. Oft-injured former first-round draft pick James Carpenter and reliable James Moffitt figure to be key backups again.

The Seahawks did not invest in top-rated rookie linemen in the 2013 NFL Draft. Three of Seattle's four seventh-round draft picks were offensive lineman, but none figure to make much of an impact and are mostly long-shots to make the opening day roster.

Defensive Line

In contrast to the offensive line, the Seahawks' defensive line will have many new elements this season. Starters Red Bryant, Brandon Mebane and Chris Clemons return. Alan Branch and Jason Jones moved on to other teams. In their place, the Seahawks brought in former Tampa Bay Buccaneers starter Michael Bennett and former Detroit Lions starter Cliff Avril to compete at defensive end. Veteran Tony McDaniel was also brought in to provide depth at defensive tackle.

Seattle's top two defensive draft choices were defensive tackles Jordan Hill (third round) and mammoth Jesse Williams (fifth round). Both have a chance to receive a great deal of playing time as part of the defensive line rotation.

Linebacker

Former rush end Bruce Irvin will now be tried at strong side linebacker, in competition with last year's nominal starter, Malcolm Smith. Second-year standout middle linebacker Bobby Wagner and weak-side linebacker K.J. Wright return as starters. Irvin's four-game suspension to start the season does not help his chances to overtake Smith.

Secondary

The rich got richer. Starters Richard Sherman, Brandon Browner, Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor return to repeat Seattle's formidable defensive backs crew. Veteran Antoine Winfield joined in the offseason, adding a veteran presence that can take on nickel coverage. Rookie fifth-round cornerback Tharold Simon figures to compete for a dime back role and will try to make his mark on special teams. Long-time Seahawks cornerback Marcus Trufant followed former Seahawks Defensive Coordinator Gus Bradley to the Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason. 

Coaching

With Bradley now the head coach in Jacksonville, Seattle re-hired Dan Quinn to serve as the new defensive coordinator. Quinn was the DC at the University of Florida in 2011 – 2012 and was the Seahawks' Defensive Line Coach in 2009 – 2010. Head Coach Pete Carroll is now in his fourth year with the Seahawks.

Special Teams

Kicker Steven Hauschka returns. He will face competition from first-year kicker Carson Wiggs. Long-time Seahawks punter Jon Ryan also returns with no training camp competition. Seattle may have a new long snapper, having recently claimed Kyle Nelson off waivers from San Francisco to compete with Clint Gresham.