[canuxrok]

Pre-Season Presser with Pete Carroll and John Schneider

Reporter: Pete, who impressed you the most in camp and pre-season?

Pete: Well, even though we know him well I was still super impressed with Bobby, just his attitude, leadership and compete is off the charts as always. Always pushing the guys, he's gonna be a great mentor Jordyn at linebacker and he's really going to help our run defense. We have a couple of young receivers who earned spots on our 53 man roster in Bobo and Cody Thompson, they just outworked everybody and did everything we asked them too with an awesome attitude and they're going to be great depth for us going forward.

Reporter: Do you have any comments on Jaxon Smith-Njigba and his injury?

Pete: Well, he competed and showed really well in camp, it's hard to see him hurt like this, he was really ready to go to start the year. When he gets healthy he's gonna be a great complement to D.K. and Tyler and we expect to use him a lot of different ways but right now we really want him to focus on getting healthy and being 100%. That guy is going to have a long and productive career in front of him and we want to get it started on the right foot.

Reporter: John, a lot of the media scrutinized your selection of Devon Witherspoon 5th overall. How has he looked to you and do you feel vindicated so far in drafting him ahead of other positions of greater need.

John: Yeah, well we believed he was a special player and we still do. He's looked great so far and should be a day one starter with room to improve. Devon is a motivated competitor with incredible football instincts and he is going to be a difference maker for our defense for a long time. We stand by the selection and are super pleased with how he has come along and what he's shown us so far.

Reporter: Could you also comment on complaints from the fan base that the defensive line hasn't been adequately addressed?

John: Mario Edwards and Dre'Mont Jones have both shown us everything we wanted in pre-season and I think you guys are going to be impressed with them this year. Jarran Reed is a good nose tackle and it's unfortunate he's injured but when he's ready I believe we have a very solid defensive front, especially with Nwosu and Mafe, who I think is going to take a big step this year, attacking from the edge.

Reporter: Pete, how has the offensive line come together so far? Are you confident in the group you have protecting Geno?

Pete: I'm really excited for our guys to show what they can do. It's not a lot of big name guys we have but everyone knows their job and does their part and we all support each other. Charles and Abe are great young tackles and it's awesome to be able to watch them develop and mature on a daily basis, I think soon they're both going to be stars in this league. Our offensive line is underrated this year and we're excited to prove everybody wrong.

Reporter: Is there any truth to the rumours Quandre Diggs is wanting to be traded and is disruptive in the room?

Pete: Quandre is a competitive, fiery guy and we love that. He hasn't taken it the best that he isn't going to start Week 1 but he's a leader for us and still going to be playing a role on our defense. We have full confidence that Quandre is going to give us his best and put the team first. I have a good relationship with him and we talk regularly. He'll be fine.

Reporter: Any final comments guys?

Pete: Yeah, we're just excited to get out there and play football again in front of the 12s, looking forward to it, we're going to have a fun season. See you guys out there!