Defensive coordinator Shane Bowen put an emphasis on forcing turnovers this offseason and liked how the defense rose to the challenge in the spring and so far at training camp. But just this morning before practice, the defensive coordinator said he always thinks they need more.
The defense must have been listening.
Cornerback Deonte Banks, who is competing with Cor’Dale Flott for the starting cornerback spot opposite Paulson Adebo, grabbed the first interception of the day while Russell Wilson was trying to find wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson. Daboll walked and talked with the cornerback to the sideline and gave him a pat on his helmet.
Banks and Flott were both listed as co-starters on the first unofficial depth chart heading into the preseason opener.
“I think they’re both doing a really good job,” Bowen said. “Obviously, Flott’s missed a little bit of time here the past couple days, but I think they’re doing a really good job. I like the growth of Tae. I think competition’s been good for both of them. I really do. But you’re seeing Tae battle and going up against Malik [Nabers] and finding ways to get PBUs and some other guys. He’s been able to get his hands on footballs more, I feel like, this early on in training camp. We’re 10 days in, but early on, more so than what it was last year. He’s working. He’s working. He’s competing for the job. He’s trying to earn it, just like everybody else is trying to earn their play time.”
Nic Jones, another cornerback, followed up with a diving interception of his own off a ball from rookie Jaxson Dart.
Cornerbacks Dru Phillips and Tre Hawkins III broke up passes in 1-on-1 drills.
Wilson started the team portion of practice with an anticipation throw to second-year tight end Theo Johnson, who turned it into a long catch-and-run.
“I think Theo has been really showing up the past several days in particular,” Wilson said. “I think he’s done a tremendous job of his ability to get down the field vertically has been really good. I think he’s done that a few times. Obviously, you saw the big touchdown across where he ran today, just his speed down the field. He’s made some really big plays over the past four or five practices and being really intentional with him in particular has been cool to see over the past several days.”
Winston hooked up with 6-foot-5, 216-pound wide receiver Da’Quan Felton a few times, including a 50-yard play where the rookie wide receiver came up just short of the goal line.
Bobby Okereke forced an incompletion in coverage. Later on, fellow inside linebacker Darius Muasau laid out for a pass breakup.
Dart made a tough throw look effortless on a roll-out to his left, connecting with wide receiver Zach Pascal on the sideline. It was the first of back-to-back completions for the combo, with Pascal jumping to snag the second one.
Quarterback Tommy DeVito broke a long run after finding nothing but green grass in front of him.
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