After Seattle spent 14 seasons under Pete Carroll, new Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald is putting his stamp on the club.
During training camp, Macdonald has introduced a championship belt, awarded to the side of the ball that won the day.
"The belt is something that's kind of fun to just mix it up and spice it up throughout camp," Macdonald said Tuesday, via The Seattle Times. "You know, 'Who's holding the belt?' And then we can change the criteria of how you challenge it."
Left tackle Charles Cross donned the belt on Tuesday following the offense's bounce-back practice after the defense took the hardware the previous day.
Under Carroll's leadership, the Seahawks constantly preached competition in every aspect. Macdonald is carrying on that tradition but with his own spin.
The coach is still working on the criteria for how the belt is awarded.
"The criteria is ever-changing," Macdonald said. "I do reserve the right to switch it up on the guys. But it's exciting. And based on where the team is going, it's kind of a way to push buttons here and there and edge guys on if someone needs a little push. Put a little belt on the line or something like that. So it's fun."
After the offense was awarded the belt, quarterback Geno Smith suggested it go to Cross. (Smart move for the QB to keep his blockers cheery.)
"Shoutout to Geno," Cross said. "I was talking to him (saying), 'Well, offense won the game,' and he said, 'Give it to an O-lineman. Charles (has) been having a great camp.'
"It's just a trophy to the offense, saying how well we did today, just coming back for a second day of pads and just continuing to improve and get better day by day."
Perhaps the belt is a little collegiate, but as the grind of training camp grows, keeping things fresh and giving players something tangible to battle for isn't a terrible idea. At worst, it's a novelty that washes away. At best, it becomes a rallying icon for intrasquad battles as the Seahawks strive to improve each other while camp progresses toward the regular season.
