The calendar has turned to August and the first weekend of football in the Pacific Northwest is officially in the books. Monday concluded Day 3 of Seahawks training camp and the first day Richard Sherman and co. strapped on shoulder pads for the first time.

There are some familiar faces back at camp, and of course there's the familiar energy in the air that surrounds any Pete Carroll training camp. And this year contrasts greatly from the start of 2015's camp, where the big news was the sudden holdout by Kam Chancellor, which of course lasted through camp and until Week 2 of the regular season.

However it's 2016 and Kam is back, with no gripes about his contract and already anticipating the upcoming year. He was quoted in the Seattle Times as saying that this year, "feels like the (Super Bowl) 48 year." Reports are that he has been looking as good as he did that year too, zipping around the field and making plays on passes all over.

Marshawn Lynch is a familiar face we won't have the pleasure of seeing for the first time in many years, but we do get to see the familiar face of Brandon Browner in his old no. 39 jersey in 2016 after a couple years with the New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints. Though this familiar face is in somewhat of an unfamiliar role, as the coaching staff has molded a hybrid safety-cornerback role specifically for him. 

Heading into camp, Tyler Lockett was tabbed as the player to watch. After being surprisingly productive on the offensive end as well as special teams as a rookie, everyone around the league had a hunch that Lockett would be in for an even bigger season. Although there's reason to be excited looking farther down the depth chart at wide receiver as well. After the first three of Lockett, Doug Baldwin and Jermaine Kearse there's a ton of talent. Fomer UW stars Kevin Smith and Kasen Williams, speedster Paul Richardson figures to make the team if he can stay healthy. Coaches have also had high praise for Kenny Lawler, Douglas McNeil and Antwan Goodley. And lord knows they will be tested by the Legion of Boom everyday, so they better bring it everyday.

There's no better place to be than south Lake Washington right now, with the sun shining and the excitement in the air anticipating another Super Bowl run.

Photo: Flickr/Keith Allison