Seahawks coach Pete Carroll confirmed Wednesday that reports of a minicamp fight involving cornerback Richard Sherman were the impetus for a NFL review of their offseason practices that found the team violated the rules governing contact at those workouts, but said that the team was not intentionally trying to flout the rules.
Carroll said that “we’re trying to do things exactly right” in terms of what goes on during practices after being penalized on the same grounds in 2012, but the league thought otherwise after asking to see film of the practice in question and others from the team’s minicamp. That review led to a reported fine of over $100,000 for Carroll personally and more than $200,000 for the team as well as the loss of minicamp days next year. Carroll said he didn’t feel like the Seahawks were being victimized by receiving a second penalty.
“No, I don’t feel like the victim. No, I don’t at all. I think that we practice in a manner that draws attention, and we have for a long time. And I go back: A year ago and halfway through this camp, when they observed what was going on, they said everything was just fine so we kept going and just kept working. I was really pleased with that but unfortunately it went otherwise when we got to mini camp.”
Carroll wouldn’t comment on the specifics of the penalty, although we’d imagine he could think of better uses for the money he owes the league.