THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: Macdonald setting his own tone early as Seahawks coach

Mike Macdonald looks shy.

He’s not.

The new Seahawks boss might be young (36), and yes, he’s a puppy in the coaching biz compared to his predecessor, Pete Carroll.

But Macdonald already has proven that he’s whip-smart (just ask the teams that faced his Baltimore defense), and now we know he’s not afraid to speak up.

Seahawks fans got an idea of what the Macdonald era might be like last weekend, when the team conducted its annual rookie minicamp.

There was plenty of attention focused on defensive tackle Byron Murphy, who was the second player chosen on that side of the ball at No. 16 overall.

It’s no secret that the Seahawks have struggled to stop anyone over the past two or three years, so defense has been a main conversation piece — especially when Macdonald, the Ravens’ defensive wizard, was chosen to take over the Hawks, following the tenure of a man twice his age — and who led this team into back-to-back Super Bowls.

Then, on the first night of this year’s draft, offensive players were selected with the first 14 picks.

The door was open for Seattle, and GM John Schneider was thrilled to provide Macdonald with potential defensive star in Murphy.

SO, HOW did the new coach and the first-round draft pick get along at the rookie camp?

Just fine.

More or less.

Macdonald acknowledged that his new tackle looked the part at an all-muscle 306 pounds — but the coach was quick to note that Murphy had conditioning work in front of him.

“We’re not going to crown him right now like he’s the next best defensive tackle of all time, but we’re really excited about him,” Macdonald said. 

“He shows all the bend and the strength at the point of attack and acceleration. 

“Needs to get in a little bit better shape, so we can get through a whole practice and fly around like we expect him to, but he understands that just like the rest of these guys. 

“It’s so hard to stay in this elite shape the way the calendar is set up. He’ll get there, but we’ll be pushing them in the meantime.”

So much for the notion that Macdonald might be shy.

Right off the bat, he wanted to remind Murphy (and everyone else) that NFL players must work awfully hard to succeed.

As if that weren’t a strong enough point, Macdonald was asked about cornerback Devon Witherspoon, who had an excellent first season last year.

“He really did,” Macdonald said.

Then, after pausing for effect, he added: “But it could have been better.”

Clearly, Macdonald has a message for his troops.

Workouts won’t quite match the Bataan Death March, but they won’t be keg parties, either.

MACDONALD has already proven that — serious or not — he can laugh at himself.

Lightly, at least.

Responding to a question about how and when he’ll involve himself with the offense, he said: “Right now, I’m just learning how to run a practice.”

Macdonald and Schneider seem to have an easy rapport, which might be the result of defined roles.

Schneider is running the team; Macdonald is coaching it.

Exactly who was making which decisions during the Carroll years was a bit more complicated, because Pete had the final say in all personnel decisions.

This arrangement, the most common around the NFL, might allow things to run a bit smoother.

Frankly, they must.

The Seahawks are coming off a pair of 9-8 records which might fool you into thinking they’re just a few improvements from excellence — and perhaps a deep run in the playoffs.

Not quite.

They beat only one really good team a year ago (Detroit), and lost twice to both San Francisco and Los Angeles in the NFC West.

In 2022, when they did make the playoffs, Seattle was dispatched by the 49ers three times overall.

The Seahawks have the bones of a decent team, and they’ve made moves to address some obvious weaknesses.

However, Macdonald is facing a major restructuring — which might include a change at quarterback — before the Hawks can possibly be considered a Super Bowl contender.

That’s how it works.

Teams with a record of routine success rarely have coaching vacancies.

If you’re hiring a 36-year-old whiz kid with a finance degree (and no head coaching experience), you probably have a lot of work to do.

Over to you, Mike.

Email: scameron@cdapress.com

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press four times each week, normally Tuesday through

Friday unless, you know, stuff happens.

Steve suggests you take his opinions in the spirit of a Jimmy Buffett song: “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On.”