The Seattle Seahawks look to be in contention for a Super Bowl championship, as all 32 NFL team reported to training camp last week. Former Alabama standout Kevin Norwood is competing for a starting spot at wide receiver. He caught nine passes for 102 yards in nine games last season. Norwood was limited due to leg injuries (toe, foot) in 2014.
According to Brian Nemhauser of Hawks Blogger, rookie wideouts Douglass McNeil and Kevin Smith are making waves in training camp for the Seahawks.
McNeil, 6-foot-3, 200 pounds, wasn’t selected in the 2013 NFL Draft. He accounted for 1,407 yards and 11 touchdowns on 84 catches in his career at Bowie State College. McNeil signed with the Portland Thunder (AFL) in November 2013, prior to joining Seattle.
He caught two passes on the first day of training camp (Saturday), and both came against cornerback Richard Sherman.
Smith, 6-foot, 218 pounds, was signed as an undrafted rookie free agent from Washington.
He led the Huskies in receiving last season with 50 catches for 765 yards and four touchdowns. Smith, like McNeil, surprised coaches and teammates with his athletic abilities.
The performances from both players to start training camp has placed a chip on the shoulders of Kevin Norwood and Ricardo Lockett. Norwood worked with Seattle’s second-unit of wide receivers, but he was known as “Mr. Reliable” at Alabama.
He ended his career with 81 receptions for 1,275 yards and 12 touchdowns. Norwood was crucial for Alabama against LSU, and he was a member on two three national championship teams (2009, 2011, 2012). The pressure is on him to emerge.
Stephen M. Smith is a senior analyst and columnist for Touchdown Alabama Magazine, Pick Six Previews and SB Nation. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @ESPN_Future.
