Preseason Week 1
The Seahawks' preseason opener against the Las Vegas Raiders ended in a tie, 23-23 and Thursday night's matchup was a chance for rookies and young starters to get their taste of real action. Rookies shined in their NFL preseason debuts and young starters vying for a roster spot added to their cases.
Rapid Reactions: Seahawks Tie With The Raiders In Preseason Debut
There was, of course, Pete Carroll, the Super-Bowl-winning coach of the Seahawks for 14 seasons, back in town in his new role as the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, and trying to establish a new unofficial record for pregame hugs. Joining Carroll on the trip was Raiders quarterback Geno Smith, who spent the past three years as Seattle's starting quarterback. There was Michael Bennett and Cliff Avril on the sideline and Michael Robinson in the booth, all on hand as part of the preseason broadcast team. And then there was Marshawn Lynch, being his always-unpredictable self, working the sidelines as a photographer during the first half.
Rookies Walked Away With Personal ‘Wins’ But Know There's Still More To Learn
As is the case with almost all preseason games, it's a chance for rookies and players further down the depth chart to put good things for themselves on tape. Seattle's rookie draft class, along with some undrafted rookies did just that, two of them coming up with touchdowns to contribute to the 23-23 tie against the Las Vegas Raiders. The score of the game though is far less important than what the rookies did on Thursday night at Lumen Field, though.
"Those boys played physical," third-year cornerback Devon Witherspoon said. Like coach Mike Macdonald alluded to earlier this week, most starters, including Witherspoon did not play.
Seahawks Offense Plays 'Good Complementary Football' In First Game Under OC Klint Kubiak
Two offensive plays into their first preseason game, the Seahawks showed what they want to be on offense this season.
With rookie fullback Robbie Ouzts in front of him as a lead blocker, George Holani took a handoff from Drew Lock, bounced the run outside behind Ouzts' block, and scampered 19 yards for a first down. Later in the first quarter, with the Seahawks again in I-formation—a staple in football for decades but a rarity in today's NFL—Ouzts again threw a key block as Holani raced 24 yards for a touchdown.