Seahawks: Carroll on G.B. Packers; Russell Wilson interview video



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By Clare Farnsworth

Seahawks.com

RENTON, Wash. -- The Seattle Seahawks left Thursday for Green Bay, Wis., to face the Packers Friday in the third presason game of the 2013 season.  The Seahawks so far have won seven preseason games in a row over the past two seasons.

“Preseason is really important to us,” head coach Pete Carroll said Thursday before leaving for Wisconsin. “We learn so much, there are so many tremendous lessons here that we take them very seriously. We don’t game plan but 10 plays a day (during practice). We’re not into game planning for it.

“But it’s how we play the game and how we approach the situations and grow and learn and get a better feel for who we are and what we’re capable of doing. All of those things are really important to me. I do not blow off these games like it’s just another game and we’re looking at the young guys. It’s way more than that for us.”

Because winning is winning, even when it doesn’t count in the regular-season standings.

“We’re trying to build a mentality around here of winning,” Carroll said. “And understanding how you win and the lessons that it takes, and the discipline that it takes to always show your best every time you go. I don’t think you should ever play anything and just kind of show up. I think you go for it every chance you get. Forever.

“Because you can’t afford to try to call on it when you need it. We don’t do that. Every game is a huge game. This is a great football team. It’s a great setting. It’s a great match to go on the road. And we’re going to try and get it done.”

The last time the Seahawks did not get it done during the preseason was in Week 3 of the 2011 preseason, when they lost 23-20 to the Broncos in Denver. Since then, the Seahawks have dispatched the Oakland Raiders (twice), Tennessee Titans and Broncos at CenturyLink Field and also won at Denver, Kansas City and San Diego.

Carroll said six players will not play against the Packers: wide receiver Sidney Rice (knee), tight end Zach Miller (foot), fullback Michael Robinson (ill), guard James Carpenter (foot) and rookie defensive lineman Jesse Williams (knee) and Jordan Hill (arm).

Carroll also said that whether defensive end/linebacker Bruce Irvin plays will be a game-day decision.

Hill strained a biceps in practice on Tuesday. Carroll said his status is day-to-day. Carpenter, who has not practiced this summer, could return next week, Carroll said, and hopefully play in the preseason finale next Thursday night against the Oakland Raiders at CenturyLink Field.

Williams and Hill started the first two games at the three-technique tackle spot, but Tony McDaniel will get the start against the Packers in his first action of the preseason.

ROOKIE WATCH: SPENCER WARE

With Robinson unavailable and rookie running back Christine Michael back after sitting out last week’s game, the team’s sixth-round draft choice should get ample work at fullback against the Packers after being the leading rusher in last week’s win over the Broncos.

“He’s had a good camp. He’s been a really fun guy to look at,” Carroll said of Ware. “He’s got toughness about him. He’s got flexibility in that he can catch the ball. And he’s working hard on his blocking. He’s contributing on special teams.

“He’s making a real bid to try to make this football team.”