Greetings from New York/New Jersey (I’m writing in New York, but on information gathered across the river at the Seahawks’ team hotel). Fair warning, I flew here on a red eye, so there’s a distinct possibility of me writing something completely nonsensical at some point.
Anyway, Pete Carroll and a handful of players met with the media Monday afternoon, here’s a few highlights of what Carroll had to say after opening with, “First I’d like to say it’s really great to be here in New Jersey.”
That came a day after a reporter called Carroll out for repeatedly saying “New York” while at a press conference in New Jersey to talk about a game that will be played in New Jersey.
Amidst all the chaos of this week, the Seahawks were back on the practice field, using the New York Giants’ facility. With snow still on the ground from last week’s storm, the Seahawks were indoors today and could be all week.
“We’re going to work at the Giants facility, it seems to be a great place for us, we fit right in,” Carroll said. “We did not go outside today, we had a great workout today, it was a bonus Monday for us, more than you normally get in a normal week’s practice. Guys took to it, they had great tempo and enthusiasm.”
On the idea of weather being a factor, Carroll said, “We play in an area that has someone inclement weather, occasionally, so it’s not something we’re bothered by. The normal issues arise, the ball is a little harder to handle, the wind blowing does change factors somewhat, but for us it’s no big deal.”
On the process of drafting Russell Wilson, Carroll praised G.M. John Schneider’s role in the process: “Really John Schneider led the charge on this thing. John had it pegged perfectly where it happened for us. He’d be sweating it out in the second round, because he wasn’t sure he was right, but he had it nailed. So when we went through the second-round and didn’t take him—and we had that thought—and passed until the next chance, it was really exciting for us, because we knew we were going to do something that was going to surprise maybe some people out there, but we knew we had a chance to get a guy we were totally in love with who might be the difference maker.
Percy Harvin practiced again, Carroll said, and remains on track to play in the Super Bowl after missing almost the entire season.
“We’re in Phase Super Bowl right now,” Carroll said, poking fun at his assessments of Harvin during the season, which at one point were described in phases. “He’s ready to go. He had another great day today, he had a great week last week, he’s part of the game plan.”
Here’s a bit from Carroll’s presser, including him talking about how he has grown/changed since the last time he was an NFL coach:
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