Seahawks camp day 11: Olu Oluwatimi challenged in ‘open’ center competition; more scraps

Olu Oluwatimi’s summer is getting hotter.

The Seahawks’ fifth-round draft choice from 2023 entered this Seattle training camp on the inside track to becoming the team’s first multi-year, full-time starter at center since Justin Britt in 2017 and ‘18.

Two weeks into camp, two veteran NFL centers are threatening to push Oluwatimi off that track.

Nick Harris, the former All-Pac-12 center for the Washington Huskies, was snapping to quarterback Geno Smith on Monday with Seattle’s first-team offense in 11-on-11 scrimmaging. The 11th practice of camp was the first time Harris was on the starting offense over Oluwatimi.

Seattle signed Harris, 25, from Cleveland on a one-year contract in free agency this spring.

The Seahawks also have been negotiating with free-agent center Connor Williams. The Miami Dolphins’ starting center the last two seasons is trying to come back after tearing an anterior cruciate ligament in his knee in December. He visited Seahawks headquarters late last month.

Williams, 27, was a second-round pick by Dallas in the 2018 NFL draft. He started four seasons for the Cowboys at left guard.

Coach Mike Macdonald has said if Williams were to sign with the Seahawks it would be as a center.

Monday on the Joe Rose Radio Show, Miami-based agent Drew Rosenhaus said he anticipated reaching an agreement between his client Williams and the Seahawks within the next three days.

“He’s healthy,” Rosenhaus said on the South Florida-based show of Williams being less than nine months out from his torn ACL. “He’s going to be able to play in the first game.”

The Seahawks’ opener is Sept. 8 against the Denver Broncos at Lumen Field.

ESPN reported Williams is also visiting with the Baltimore Ravens.

Recently signed undrafted rookie Jalen Sundell had been the third center. Then Monday Sundell was getting second-team reps while Harris was with the first-team offense.

After the shuffling at center in practice Monday, The News Tribune asked Macdonald where the competition stands at that anchor position for the offensive line that is key to Seattle’s season.

“It’s open. It’s open, yeah,” Macdonald said. “Nick’s done a nice job. He’s pushing Olu. ...

“It’s open.”

Oluwatimi seemed to sense last week he still had work to do to earn the starting job. He told the TNT on 93.3 KJR-FM radio last week he lost about eight pounds “of fat” from last season to prepare for this training camp.

“I came into this season, really into the off season, just knowing that I had to get in better shape, kind of get my weight to where I wanted to get it to,” said Oluwatimi, whom the team lists at 6 feet 2 and 309 pounds. “And then just try to be more confident at the line of scrimmage, being more confident in my technique, being more confident in the scheme and knowing what’s going on, just changing my study habits a little bit to allow me to play a little faster.

“You know, that Year 1 to Year 2 jump is hopefully going to be really good for me.

“But that really doesn’t matter. It’s about how I go to work each day, what I do, how I get the people in the O-line room to follow me.”

More fighting

This training camp is more physical and chippy than in previous summers under former coach Pete Carroll.

Riq Woolen is all for that.

Woolen went from 2022 Pro Bowl cornerback as a rookie to benched at one point late last season because of his lack of tackling and physicality. He said last week he added strength for the 2024 season through more emphasis on weight training this offseason.

“Honestly, I just felt like last year was a great year for me,” Woolen said. “To some people, they may have their own opinions But those the same people that’s not playing the game.

“So, it’s OK with me. I feel great and I feel like this year will be even better.”

Woolen is making daily points to show he intends to tackle this season. Monday, his point was the most pointed yet in camp.

Lead running back Kenneth Walker ran with the ball to the left sideline early in 11-on-11, full-pads scrimmaging. Woolen came up hard and slammed into Walker. It was supposed to be a no-tackling scrimmage.

Instead of tackling Walker, Woolen grabbed Walker’s face mask. He held on. Walker did not appreciate that, at all. He pushed back at Woolen. Woolen jumped at Walker along the offensive players’ sideline. Woolen and Walker grabbed and threw each other to the ground.

Officials, teammates, coaches and whistles then intervened.

As they went back to their huddles for the next play, Woolen continued to yell at Walker. And he gestured angrily to the offensive players on the sideline.

In the previous practice, Saturday at Lumen Field, safety Marquise Blair picked up wide receiver Dee Eskridge following his reception and body slammed him to the turf. The crowd of a few thousand fans roared. Safety Coby Bryant flew in to join the scrap. Offensive players went at Blair and Bryant. Defensive starters ran off the sideline into the scrum. Cornerback Devon Witherspoon wisely put on his helmet as he ran into the fray.

For the second time in two post-practice interviews, Macdonald was asked about the physicality and even fighting among players.

“I love the competitor. I love the spirit, all that,” the coach said. “We need to take care of one another.

“If we get into a scrap here earlier, that’s understandable.”

The Seahawks will finally get to hit another team Saturday. They play their first preseason game, against the Los Angeles Chargers in Inglewood, California.

George Holani stands out

Late in the scrimmaging, undrafted rookie running back George Holani from Boise State ran over, Mack-truck style, rookie cornerback Nehemiah Pritchett. The fifth-round pick stayed sprayed on the turf near the goal line as Holani ran on.

Macdonald said Holani is making a push against 2023 draft choice Kenny McIntosh to become the third running back this season. Walker and Zach Charbonnet are the returning top two backs.

“Kenny’s getting pushed,” by Holani, Macdonald said.

Tre Brown shines

Cornerback Tre Brown continues to make plays.

The starter on the left side opposite Woolen when Witherspoon has been inside at nickel most of camp had one of the best one-on-one coverage reps against DK Metcalf possible.

In a coverage drill from the 5-yard line with the offensive going in, Brown angrily jammed Metcalf in the chest plate of his shoulder pads with a two-hand shiver at the snap. Though the 5-foot-10 Brown is six inches shorter and 45 pounds lighter than the 235-pound Metcalf, Brown’s blow knocked Metcalf off his route.

Metcalf then got back on path down the right sideline into the end zone. Brown stayed inside Metcalf with his back in his chest as he tracked Geno Smith’s pass. It fell incomplete because Brown never gave Metcalf the chance to catch it. The official right on the play rightly ruled it a clean play.

“Yeahhhhh!” Witherspoon yelled in celebration from a few yards away.

Injuries to starters

Defensive end Dre’Mont Jones missed his eight consecutive practice with a hamstring injury Macdonald had said was minor.

Starting inside, weakside linebacker Jerome Baker missed his third consecutive practice. He also has a hamstring injury. Macdonald said Saturday he wasn’t sure when Baker would return.

Baker’s absence has meant rookie fourth-round pick Tyrice Knight has been the new starter next to middle linebacker Tyrel Dodson.

Starting right tackle Abe Lucas remains out indefinitely. He has yet to practice since offseason knee surgery.