Terry Blount, ESPN Staff Writer 10y

Pete Carroll, John Schneider review draft

Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider sat down with reporters when the draft ended Saturday to discuss some of their nine picks and how the process went for the team.

“I thought it was a terrific three days,” Carroll said. “We’re really fired up about the guys were bringing to the team. We haven’t altered the way we do this, we’ve just improved.”

Schneider was asked if they had a theme going in, other than the usual trading down, which they did three times to get three additional picks: “Obviously speed, and getting guys that can thrive and survive here.”

Carroll was thrilled at getting UCLA defensive end Cassius Marsh, the first of three selections in the fourth round.

“We love the motor he brings,” Carroll said of Marsh. “He comes with a real attitude. He’s going to play end, but he can do a lot of things.”

One of the other things he did for the Bruins was line up as a tight end/H-back at times. Marsh said he’s very comfortable catching he football. His father, Curt Marsh, was an NFL wide receiver.

So Carroll said they will give Marsh a look on offense as an H-back in certain situations.

"Honestly we already talked about that,” Carroll said. “He has shown he can do that.”

Both Carroll and Schneider said they were surprised that Alabama wide receiver Kevin Norwood still was on the board when they picked in the middle of Round 4.

“People questioned his speed, but he went to the combine and ran a 4.47,” Schneider said. “There’s nothing overly flashy about him, but he’s incredibly tough, reliable and savvy. He’s strong and has big hands. You could see he really helped [Alabama quarterback] AJ [McCarron] a lot. He’s deceptive downfield.”

Carroll confirmed what San Diego State strong safety Eric Pinkins (6-3, 220) said after the Seahawks drafted him in the sixth round. They are moving him to cornerback.

“He’s a really good tackler,” Carroll said of Pinkins. “We want to see if he can play outside [at corner] for us.”

The last player picked by the Seahawks was Arkansas fullback Kiero Small. Schneider said it’s the first time he ever drafted a player who is 5-8½ and 250 pounds.

“I really like him,” Schneider said. “He’s a total thumper and he’s super tough.”

The Seahawks now turn their attention to signing rookie free agents. One of them jumped the gun and announced it on Twitter -- University of Washington quarterback Keith Price.

Southern Cal safety Dion Bailey also has signed with the Seahawks as a free agent.

Carroll also was asked how strong safety Kam Chancellor is doing following hip surgery in March: “He is making great progress and I think he'll be back in plenty of time for camp. He is ahead of schedule.”

^ Back to Top ^