Arrow-right Camera
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Seahawks’ Wilson, Thomas work together for success

Seattle Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas (29) and quarterback Russell Wilson have built a close relationship on and off the field. (Associated Press)
News Services

A new competition between free safety Earl Thomas and quarterback Russell Wilson has arose.

Each has become known for maniacal film watching. Thomas is trying to further understand his role as a Pro Bowl free safety. Wilson, entering his third year, is still dissecting what the league does and why.

These were autonomous efforts for each last season, not necessarily linked to the other. At the start of training camp, the duo is forming a new bond that stretches beyond Thomas’ pre-practice heckling of Wilson (“Don’t throw it my way today, Russ!”).

“We’re trying to make sure we hang out off the field, always talk about football, always talk about life, talk about just trying to be legendary in some way, and so that’s kind of what we talk about all the time,” Wilson said.

Wilson asked Thomas before practice today how much film he had watched. They continually battle to be the last one to leave the practice facility.

Thomas, who strives to be the “alpha male” in a league filled with them, did give Wilson one critique, saying he thinks the quarterback is holding the ball too long at times. But, he also said Wilson is doing a better job of looking him off early in camp.

It’s an interesting new duo for a team that continues to try and evolve.

Freeney, Floyd healthy

Dwight Freeney and Malcom Floyd made welcome returns for the San Diego Chargers on Saturday.

Freeney, an outside linebacker, and Floyd, a wide receiver, missed the majority of last season with injuries.

Their return to contact drills was notable in the first day the Chargers worked in pads.

“It was good and I felt fresh,” said Freeney, 34, who was restricted to four games and a half sack last year after tearing a quadriceps muscle.

“I’m just going to let the coaches gauge where I am. I’m trusting them to tell me when they want me to get in and when they need to pull me because I’m chomping at the bit and ready to go.”

Some wondered if Freeney, who has 108 sacks, would return this year. He was cut by the Indianapolis Colts after the 2012 season, one in which he had a career-low five sacks while battling an ankle injury.

“I didn’t retire when I was released from Indy because I didn’t want it to end that way,” Freeney said. “I wanted to end it when I said so, not when those guys said I was done.”

Floyd returned to physical drills for the first time since spraining his neck after making a reception at Philadelphia on Sept. 15. He participated in the team’s offseason workouts, but players don’t wear pads then.

Kubiak likes it so far

The Baltimore Ravens had difficulty running the football last season.

They also allowed 48 sacks and committed 29 turnovers.

New offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak is trying to change all that this year.

Kubiak came to the Ravens after being the head coach of the Houston Texans for eight years. He’s installing a system that’s a variation of the West Coast offense, which relies heavily on short passing.

He happy with what he’s seen so far.

“I’ve been very impressed,” Kubiak said Saturday after the team’s first training camp practice in pads. “It’s kind of about the third time we’re going through our system and teaching it. I think they’ve adjusted well.”

49ers lose Hunter

San Francisco 49ers running back Kendall Hunter’s season is over before it began.

The 49ers confirmed Saturday that Hunter tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during Friday’s practice. Hunter began training camp as the No. 2 running back behind Frank Gore.

Hunter’s injury leaves LaMichael James, rookie Carlos Hyde, rehabbing Marcus Lattimore and Jewel Hampton as the most likely candidates to fill the void behind Gore in San Francisco’s power running game.

Panthers’ Gaffney out

Carolina Panthers rookie running back Tyler Gaffney will have season-ending surgery after tearing the lateral meniscus in his left knee.

Gaffney was Carolina’s sixth-round draft pick out of Stanford and was expected to provide some depth in the backfield.

Coach Ron Rivera said Saturday that Gaffney will have surgery next week and will be placed on injured reserve.