Wilson’s added duties, Mebane on atmosphere, and Lynch’s new number

One consequence of the Seahawks’ inexperience on the offensive line is an increased workload for quarterback Russell Wilson. Seattle offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell spoke Wednesday about how having Drew Nowak, who has never started an NFL game, taking over for Max Unger at center means Wilson has added responsibility in making blocking calls at the line prior to the snap:

“With Max [Unger] and Russell there was such a great chemistry there, and a veteran player that we were able to rely on Max a lot,” Bevell said. “Now, you just put a little bit more on the quarterback. Russell’s far enough along in his career as well where it’s not an extra burden for him, he can really handle it. Drew [Nowak’s] coming along each and every day, but it’ll kind of be a tag team effort there.”

Wilson spoke about that at his press conference Thursday:

“It’s not that much different honestly,” Wilson said. “Max was a guy who’s so experienced he would get up there and call something right away and we’d change it from there. This year we had so many different centers throughout training camp, and this is Drew’s first experience, so a lot of the calls are on me from the get-go. That’s not a bad thing at all, I’m looking forward to the challenge. That’s why you study all day, so you get prepared.”

As for how that changes Wilson’s preparations:

“It’s no different,” Wilson said. “You still study, you still watch the same film. I’ve really learned how to be very efficient with my time, just understanding the process of what to watch, when to watch it in terms of film, what to look for first. Knowing each team and what their rhythm is and how they like to do things. That’s how I prepare, I try to focus on the things I know are going to come up in the game.”

—-

One aspect of Sunday’s opener that’s been a common topic throughout the week is the atmosphere at the Edward Jones Dome in St. Louis, where the atmosphere tends to be at the opposite end of the spectrum from raucous CenturyLink Field. Defensive lineman Brandon Mebane had some amusing comments on just that Thursday:

“Every time we go to St. Louis the atmosphere is real tough to play there,” Mebane said. “The lights are real dim, the crowd is real small, it’s real quiet out there. It’s 10 o’clock in the morning so we try not to be too sleepy, we got to wake up and we got to go.”

“It’s like being in the Twilight Zone. It’s kind of hard to describe, man.”

How to combat that?

“Man, we got to find a generator and turn the lights up bright like they are right now.”

—-

Just waived running back Robert Turbin has a new home. It was reported Thursday that he was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Browns. Turbin, who suffered a sprained ankle during the preseason, was placed on injured reserve, then released Wednesday with an injury settlement. Turbin spent three seasons as Seattle’s back-up running back, but was a casualty of the Seahawks signing Fred Jackson. Cleveland comes to Seattle on Dec. 20.

—-

Lastly, check out what showed up on the Seahawks’ Twitter account today.

Yep, that’s Marshawn Lynch wearing a Kam Chancellor jersey at practice Thursday. Think that will stir the pot?

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