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Saturday, June 23rd, 2007
Posted by Mike Sando @ 09:03:10 pm
Readers have asked for more specifics as I prepare to leave for ESPN.com, but first, a hearty thanks to those who took the time to offer their best wishes following our recent announcement. You're too kind. I've thoroughly enjoyed these last two years on the blog and I'm happy to answer questions when possible. Thursday, June 21st, 2007
Posted by Mike Sando @ 01:35:09 pm
As the internal News Tribune memo put it this morning: "Mike Sando, our Seahawks beat reporter for the last nine seasons, is leaving The News Tribune to join ESPN.com." It's true. I'll still be covering the NFL and I'll still be around the Seahawks and I'll still be blogging, but the other details are still being worked out. It's been a great nine years here at the TNT and there are so many people to thank. I'll single out columnist Dave Boling, the greatest resource an NFL beat writer could have, and a better friend. Wednesday, June 20th, 2007
Posted by Mike Sando @ 08:12:00 am
Offseasons have a way of magnifying impressions. The 49ers left a positive impression by sweeping Seattle and winning in Denver last season. They were aggressive in free agency and the draft. But as Pro Football Reference points out, the 49ers of 2006 were the least competitive 7-9 team in league history in terms of point differential (minus-114). The 1989 Seahawks were eighth on the list, getting outscored by 86 points. What to make of the 49ers? They were young in key spots, making them particularly inconsistent on the road. They lost 41-0 at Kansas City and 41-10 at Chicago, but they followed both losses with victories. Their sweep of the Seahawks gives them credibility in the division no matter what the overall point differential says.
Categories: Opponents
• 45 comments
Tuesday, June 19th, 2007
Posted by Mike Sando @ 07:49:49 am
Seattle's offseason conditioning program has ended, giving players more time to pursue their own interests. Seneca Wallace has been down in Yakima working a football camp for kids. Chuck Darby is working a camp in South Carolina, his home state. Bryce Fisher held his annual golf tournament yesterday to benefit Gilda's Club Seattle, the "non-profit cancer support community" he founded following his mother's 2004 cancer diagnosis. Some players continue to work out in Kirkland, and all players are expected to work out on their own, but they are essentially off until training camp opens in late July. Monday, June 18th, 2007
Posted by Mike Sando @ 09:11:39 am
For years I've wondered why sports leagues didn't sell or re-air classic games in their original broadcast forms. NFL Network is doing just that through its new "NFL Classics" series. The network plans to show a memorable Seahawks-Packers playoff game Thursday night at 8 Eastern. From a press release: "NFL Classics gives fans the rare opportunity to relive the Seahawks-Packers game as it aired on FOX in January 2004. The broadcast features the original announcers, Joe Buck, Troy Aikman and Cris Collinsworth. A 52-yard interception-return touchdown by Packers defensive back Al Harris gave Green Bay a 33-27 overtime victory. Harris intercepted a pass thrown by Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, who exclaimed after Seattle won the OT coin toss: "We want the ball, and we’re gonna score!" The league and/or networks could presumably make some money marketing classic games to fans on DVDs or over the internet. I think they could sell entire seasons of teams' games. One question might be whether this would cannibalize the product, but I would think not. Anyone rabid enough to purchase an entire season is going to watch lives games, too. Sunday, June 17th, 2007
Posted by Mike Sando @ 07:24:19 pm
Mack Strong's family is going through a very difficult period. Five members of his wife's family recently perished in a car crash, the latest in a series of tragedies for the family. What can a husband do or say when something so horrific impacts his wife? "I’ve never experienced loss on that level," Strong told Dave Boling for a column that ran today. "I don’t know how anybody can deal with that. Trying to help her through that grief, it was awkward for me. She ran the gamut of emotions; there was a time when I think she was numb, in total shock and disbelief." The recent minicamp gave Strong a chance to focus on something other than the tragedy, if only briefly. He said the family's faith is getting them through and driving them to help others. This situation reminds me of a tragedy that struck a Whitworth College professor when I was enrolled there. A drunk driver struck his family's vehicle, killing his wife, mother and young child. He later wrote books about loss and unanswered prayers.
Categories: Off the field
• 10 comments
Posted by Mike Sando @ 03:11:08 pm
Here's hoping Father's Day is treating you well. There's a steak in the fridge waiting for me, and U.S. Open golf on the tube, and a reconfigured Seahawks roster. This thing is evolving. I've reduced to 24 categories for now, losing some of the fat, basically. We've added a column with information on college conferences for each player. Looking at every player who has been on Seattle's roster since April 2006, the conference breakdown goes like this: ACC 37, SEC 30, Big Twelve 17, Big East 14, WAC 14, Pac-10 13, Big Ten 12 and several conferenes with a handful of players. Our new blog software isn't letting me upload this file, unfortunately, but I'll get a functional link on here as soon as possible. Some have been able to upload it here. Saturday, June 16th, 2007
Posted by Mike Sando @ 10:42:46 am
Thanks to KJR for passing along audio from my conversation with John Clayton this morning. We touched on all the major issues facing this team heading into training camp and the 2007 season. He even got me to predict a victory total for this team. Listen here. Friday, June 15th, 2007
Posted by Mike Sando @ 10:28:39 pm
The Seahawks have waived LS Thomas Gafford. Derek Rackley is the incumbent snapper after replacing an injured J.P. Darche last season. The Seahawks did not pursue Darche in free agency. He signed with Kansas City.
Posted by Mike Sando @ 11:27:55 am
Mike Holmgren noted yesterday that it's tougher for rookies to make an impact on a good team. Fewer positions are truly open to competition, and better teams pick lower in a given round. Those factors apply to the Seahawks, as does one more: The team didn't even have a first-round pick. And yet the team's top two choices -- CB Josh Wilson and DT Brandon Mebane -- look like guys who will play quite a bit as rookies. We'll get into that, and other issues, in assessing what we learned from the minicamp that ended yesterday.
Categories: Minicamps
• 15 comments
Thursday, June 14th, 2007
Posted by Mike Sando @ 05:44:38 pm
New Seahawks safety Deon Grant said he was surprised to learn about the Jaguars' decision to release Donovin Darius, his long-time teammate in Jacksonville. "It's funny because me and (Jaguars DT Marcus) Stroud were just talking last night and I asked him how the guys are doing and how Donovin was doing and he said he's doing OK and going to be ready," Grant said after practice today. "They really didn't have an idea (anything was imminent). He has a strong spirit. He'll be alright." As for Darius' legacy in Jacksonville? "He's a big-time leader. Off the field, on the field, spiritual, just what he brings to the game, 100 percent dedicated to the game and the guys, trying to pull the guys to where he's at. His name will always be remembered in Jacksonville."
Posted by Mike Sando @ 05:41:33 pm
The Seahawks held out MLB Lofa Tatupu again today. He has had some hamstring issues over the years, missing short stints during previous training camps. He experienced some soreness this week, so the team decided to be cautious. Coach Mike Holmgren said the situation is not serious.
Posted by Mike Sando @ 12:26:20 pm
The Seahawks finished their June minicamp with a single practice today. Players and coaches will take some time off. Mike Holmgren told players to get away and recharge without straying from their workouts. The team-organized offseason conditioning program has finished. Players won't be hanging out at team headquarters as much, in other words.
Posted by Mike Sando @ 12:19:32 pm
The Seahawks are adding a few wrinkles to their offense. We should expect to see more presnap movement this season. Coach Mike Holmgren talked about some of the changes following practice today. In addition to helping the offense from a strategic standpoint, Holmgren wants to keep the material fresh for some of his veteran players. The Seahawks are already known for mixing personnel groupings regularly. Holmgren said the coaches will talk about some of the changes they've made in offseason minicamps before determining exactly how far to go. Holmgren said he has made these types of strategic changes perhaps five times in his 15-year career as a head coach.
Posted by Mike Sando @ 12:15:29 pm
C Chris Spencer participated in team drills today for the first time this offseason. Spencer has been bothered by both shoulders. Coach Mike Holmgren said he expects Spencer to be ready for training camp. Wednesday, June 13th, 2007
Posted by Mike Sando @ 07:19:21 pm
Marcus Tubbs, well along in his rehab from knee surgery, has gone from running sprints to dragging a former NFL defensive end around the practice field. Darren Krein, now the Hawks' assistant strength-and-conditioning coach, held onto a rope attached to the harness Tubbs was wearing. Krein appeared to be pulling hard on the rope while Tubbs chugged away. Players sometimes drag weighted sleds around the field during rehab. Krein, a large man, provided a more natural form of resistance.
Posted by Mike Sando @ 01:37:07 pm
QB Matt Hasselbeck just finished speaking with reporters following practice. He's in serious training to watch his wife run in the Race for the Cure this weekend. Hasselbeck will be there, but he will not run the race because, as he put it kiddingly, football fields are only 100 yards long and he's never seen any reason to run beyond that distance. But he plans to be there to cheer on his wife. On football matters, I spoke to QB coach Jim Zorn about what he wants from Hasselbeck this season. The emphasis remains on making better decisions. By all accounts, Hasselbeck's decision making suffered last season. Mike Holmgren talked about it following the playoff loss in Chicago. There were quite a few contributing factors beyond Hasselbeck's control -- injuries to himself and teammates, breakdowns in protection, etc. -- but Zorn is reminding his QB that he still makes the decisions in the end. It's not just the sacks. In 2003, Hasselbeck tossed 26 touchdowns with 15 interceptions with an 88.8 rating despite 42 sacks. He was sacked 34 times in 12 games last season -- a similar per-game average -- but finished with 18 touchowns, 15 interceptions and a 76.0 ratings. There were other differences between those seasons, obviously, but Hasselbeck's decision making was also among them.
Categories: Minicamps
• 24 comments
Tuesday, June 12th, 2007
Posted by Mike Sando @ 08:38:40 pm
Things are looking up for Leroy Hill. He is healthy and the Seahawks have recommitted to him as a pass rusher. It's June, so we can't know if coaches will follow through when the games count. But Hill seemed optimistic today: "The plan is to pressure a little bit more this year and that will be a good thing. Last year, Julian (Peterson) got a majority of the pressures. My rookie year, I got the majority of the pressures. Last year I went into more of a coverage year. This year they said they're going to balance it out." Hill's role changed with Peterson's arrival last season. The Hawks used him less as a pass rusher. He became more of a coverage linebacker. Throw in a painful neck stinger and Hill did not resemble the rookie who collected 7.5 sacks in 2005. Hill's health improved late last season and he led the team in tackles during the playoffs. "I was working off raw ability (as a rookie)," Hill said. "Last year maybe I was thinking a little too much. I know it now. There is no reason to think. I feel pretty good. We're putting in a couple new defenses. I'm ready for the season to start."
Posted by Mike Sando @ 06:11:29 pm
Notable players not in attendance at minicamp today: Sean Locklear, Walter Jones, Shaun Alexander. Among those not practicing: Lofa Tatupu, Joe Rubin and Chris Jones. Tatupu was out there walking around, but he got a break today. He's had some minor hamstring issues over the years, occasionally missing time as a precaution. Unable to finish practice: Pete Hunter, who appeared to hurt his right hamstring (the Hawks haven't confirmed the severity). Minicamp continues with practices Wednesday and Thursday mornings.
Posted by Mike Sando @ 01:21:14 pm
Mike Holmgren singled out a few young receivers yesterday, lauding their efforts at this ongoing minicamp. There were naturally more drops than usual today. Nate Burleson, Ben Obomanu, Logan Payne and Leonard Stephens dropped passes. D.J. Hackett continued to make tough and routine catches consistently. Deion Branch caught the ball consistently except for a deep pass from Matt Hasselbeck that he could not quite handle. It's common to hear about unknown receivers impressing during minicamps and even early in training camps. Quite a few of them drop off considerably once the exhibition games get going. That's when we'll have a better idea how things translate. As Holmgren noted, they're running around in shorts at this point.
Categories: Minicamps
• 24 comments
Posted by Mike Sando @ 01:01:24 pm
Another day, another combination on the offensive line for the Seahawks. This is a voluntary minicamp, which means players occasionally miss a day or two as personal obligations arise. Sean Locklear wasn't there today, and Walter Jones was tending to a family matter for the second consecutive day. What did the Hawks do without both starting tackles, and with center Chris Spencer still limited coming off shoulder issues, and with backup tackle Tom Ashworth limited as he comes back from a hip injury? They put the following combination on the field, left to right: Ray Willis, Rob Sims, Pat Ross, Chris Gray and Kyle Williams. One way to make sense of the dropoff: The combined 2007 salary-cap figure for Jones, Locklear and Spencer approaches $12 million, compared to less than $1.5 million for their replacements. Not to worry: The regular-season opener remains 89 days out.
Categories: Minicamps
• 11 comments
Posted by Mike Sando @ 06:15:18 am
Apologies for the technical issues over the last few days. We have been in the process of changing blog software. At the same time, our old software was falling apart. Those factors conspired to disable the comments feature in recent days. This is my first post using the new software. The interface appears pretty slick but I haven't used it enough to realize the differences. The Hawks are on the practice field this morning at 10:30. Hopefully everything will be running smoothly when the time comes to post updates. Monday, June 11th, 2007
Posted by Mike Sando @ 01:44:38 pm
DT Marcus Tubbs, rehabbing from microfracture knee surgeries, ran several hard sprints along the side of the practice field today. He had done some jogging last week. This was the first time we saw him run hard. He seemed to hold up well running roughly 40 yards at a time. The Hawks expect him back for training camp. Note: We're still having issues with our comments feature. Hopefully that feature will be restored in the near future.
Posted by Mike Sando @ 01:43:35 pm
WR Deion Branch, RG Chris Gray and DE Darryl Tapp made their June camp debuts after missing the first week while taking care of personal business (a honeymoon for Branch, a family move for Gray, a death in the family for Tapp). Branch worked opposite D.J. Hackett on the starting offense, as expected. Gray played right guard on a makeshift line. Walter Jones was not here (a family medical issue required his attention), leaving Ray Willis to play left tackle. The rest of the line, left to right, consisted of Rob Sims, Pat Ross, Gray and Sean Locklear. Starting center Chris Spencer is still easing into things following shoulder surgery.
Posted by Mike Sando @ 01:38:01 pm
The Seahawks have finished practicing outdoors on grass in dry, pleasantly cool conditions (no charge for the weather report). We asked coach Mike Holmgren about players who had surprised or impressed him with their performances during this minicamp. He singled out receivers Jordan Kent, Joe Fernandez and Logan Payne. On defense, he singled out rookie cornerback Josh Wilson. Those are the guys grabbing his attention in this camp.
Categories: Minicamps
Posted by Mike Sando @ 06:48:50 am
The Seahawks are back on the practice field this morning for the final week of their voluntary minicamp. Things I'll be watching for:
Saturday, June 9th, 2007
Posted by Mike Sando @ 07:18:23 pm
ESPN.com notes tonight that former Seahawks CB Kelly Herndon has reached agreement on a three-year deal with the Titans. This one makes sense given that Titans GM Mike Reinfeldt was here in Seattle when the Seahawks signed Herndon. ... NOTE: Again, I have no idea why the comments are not working at this time. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Categories: NFL free agency
Posted by Mike Sando @ 01:46:51 pm
Count me among those wondering what's up with our comments feature. Nothing has been manually disabled as far as I know. I've sent an email to our Web people, so hopefully everything will be back to normal shortly. In the meantime, I'll pass along a funny link from when the Seahawks were getting ready for Super Bowl XL.
Categories: Seahawks Insider, Offbeat Stuff
Friday, June 8th, 2007
Posted by Mike Sando @ 02:23:16 pm
Let's get right to your questions about Floyd Womack, Kelly Herndon, issues in the secondary, differences between Steve Hutchinson and Rob Sims, Alex Brown and more. ...
Categories: Answers to your questions
• 6 comments
Posted by Mike Sando @ 11:11:21 am
John McClain of the Houston Chronicle makes a mockery of the NFL's new online media policy in a video segment on his employer's Web site. The video shows McClain conducting interviews with a helper holding a stopwatch, the better to comply with rules limiting online content to 45 seconds per day. McClain rushes off as the league-imposed time limits approach, at one point leaving Texans owner Bob McNair standing by himself. McClain later admits that the video ran 15 seconds long, producing an apology designed to keep the league from rushing to Houston to shut down the Chronicle. Funny stuff, and even funnier if you know McClain. We called him "The Mayor" when the Super Bowl was in Houston because John had so many connections in the city, and the league. He is past president of the Pro Football Writers of America and one of the more likeable guys in our business.
Posted by Mike Sando @ 08:11:13 am
Rams RB Steven Jackson told USA Today he thinks the Seahawks' cushion in the NFC West is gone. Seattle has won the last three division titles. The Hawks lost twice to the 49ers last season, playing stretches without QB Matt Hasselbeck and RB Shaun Alexander, and still won the West by two games. If the Hawks bounce back health-wise this season, they should contend for another NFC West title, but the "X" factor is clearly whether the rest of the division has improved as much as Jackson suggests. The Rams were 4-1 last season when they suffered a tough loss to the Hawks, the first misstep in St. Louis' fall to 8-8. The 2007 schedule gives Seattle an opportunity to take control of the division early. The Hawks have September road games against the Cardinals and 49ers. Winning those games would deliver a strong message. Losing those games might give those teams the momentum St. Louis squandered with its early loss to Seattle last season. Thursday, June 7th, 2007
Posted by Mike Sando @ 11:15:15 pm
This item on the NFL's official Web site suggests the Seahawks are one of three teams showing interest in Bears DE Alex Brown. The Seahawks generally keep between eight and 10 defensive linemen. Current ends Darryl Tapp, Bryce Fisher, Baraka Atkins and Patrick Kerney are expected to earn roster spots, as are tackles Marcus Tubbs, Chuck Darby, Brandon Mebane and Rocky Bernard. Craig Terrill, Russell Davis and Brandon Green would be leading candidates for those final two spots, assuming the team keeps 10 defensive linemen for a second consecutive season. Brown has asked permission to seek a trade. He wants a new contract. The Seahawks and Bears discussed Brown's availability when Seattle was considering potential trades involving Darrell Jackson. I wouldn't necessarily read much into that, though. We would expect the Bears and Seahawks to speak frequently because their top personnel people -- Tim Ruskell in Seattle and Jerry Angelo in Chicago -- are close friends from their days together in Tampa Bay.
Categories: Trades and potential trades
• 28 comments
Posted by Mike Sando @ 07:32:23 pm
Former Seahawks CB Kelly Herndon visited the Detroit Lions after meeting with the Tennessee Titans, his agent told the Detroit Free Press. Herndon might be best suited to the nickel role if he can't find a starting job. A thought: Jordan Babineaux's ability to play safety or corner could allow the Seahawks to save a roster spot in the secondary. Safeties would include Deon Grant, Brian Russell, Mike Green and Michael Boulware (assuming Green and Boulware are healthy). The corners would be Marcus Trufant, Kelly Jennings and Josh Wilson. Babineaux would fit into both groups, assuming he is also healthy. Green, Boulware and Babineaux are rehabbing from injuries.
Categories: Former Players
• 12 comments
Posted by Mike Sando @ 12:57:56 pm
Offensive lineman Floyd Womack is expected back for training camp after undergoing arthroscopic knee surgeries today, the Seahawks said. Doctors Ed Khalfayan and Lawrence Holland performed the arthroscopic procedure at the Seattle Surgery Center. Torn cartilage had been bothering Womack recently. These procedures (one on each knee) were designed to clear up the problem.
Posted by Mike Sando @ 12:50:31 pm
The Seahawks have finished their final minicamp practice of the week. They'll be back on the field Monday through Thursday next week. The rain let up, but it still felt like November out there. The team is practicing outdoors on grass. Its practice bubble is not up. These issues won't matter once the Seahawks move into their new facility in June 2008. They'll have an indoor facility for days when they want to get work done without bothering with the elements. A few notes: Darryl Tapp, Chris Gray and Deion Branch continue to miss minicamp for family-related reasons. ... Special-teams coach Bruce DeHaven wore a microphone to bark out instructions during portions of practice. ... Voluntary camps can drag a bit when the weather is dreary and a three-day weekend awaits. And while Shaun Alexander has never been known as a great practice player, he seems to have quite a bit of energy and enthusiasm out there. He sprinted out of stretching exercises before the other running backs, claiming victory when he was the first to arrive for positional drills. ... Marcus Pollard said he likes this offense. He feels involved, and he agrees with Mike Holmgren's assessment on how many catches the veteran tight end might make this season (the coach estimated 40 or 50 without much trouble).
Categories: Minicamps
• 17 comments
Posted by Mike Sando @ 07:15:37 am
Steve Hutchinson, drafted 17th overall by Seattle in 2001, thinks the Vikings' offensive line will be much better in his second season with the team. Hutchinson assessed his own play as "pretty solid" in 2006 while allowing that it wasn't his best season. Continuity accounts for so much of a line's effectiveness, as the Hawks demonstrated to extremes in 2005 and 2006. Seattle settled on Hutchinson's successor late last season. Rob Sims showed promise as a rookie and will start in 2007 barring any surprises. Sims cannot match Hutchinson for raw talent or physical prowess, but the Hawks value him as an effective run blocker and a quick study with a strong desire to improve.
Categories: Former Players
• 32 comments
Wednesday, June 6th, 2007
Posted by Mike Sando @ 10:22:38 pm
Offensive lineman Floyd Womack is expected to undergo arthroscopic knee surgery after suffering an injury during the Seahawks' ongoing minicamp. He would presumably be back in time for training camp. I would expect to get official word from coach Mike Holmgren after practice Friday.
Posted by Mike Sando @ 05:16:48 pm
The 49ers lost a former starter today when DE Melvin Oliver suffered a torn knee ligament. The Seahawks have generally avoided these types of injuries at minicamps. I recall Robbie Tobeck suffering a torn patellar tendon during offseason workouts, which reminds us that these things can happen even when players aren't practicing. The players run and cut at minicamps. They bang into each other a little bit. The linemen clash pretty hard sometimes (Ray Willis broke a hand out there this week). But there isn't tackling, and players coming off surgeries generally do not participate.
Categories: Injuries
• 4 comments
Posted by Mike Sando @ 01:05:43 pm
Shaun Alexander compared Ray Willis' hunger to play with the same attitude Steve Hutchinson brought as a rookie in 2001. Offensive linemen routinely play with broken or damaged body parts (fans might recall Floyd Womack, then a second-year pro, trying to block Michael Strahan in the Meadowlands with his lower arm encased in a cast). Willis broke a bone in his left hand during this camp. The medical staff fitted him with a cast that covers his fingers, wrist and part of his forearm. The cast is closed at the end, preventing Willis from using even his fingers. He is playing right guard with the starting line. Willis, a fourth-round choice in 2005, said he's so eager to play that he can't take enough notes when watching the veterans. Alexander said he has been pleasantly surprised at how well Willis is functioning at guard, given that Willis is a natural tackle.
Posted by Mike Sando @ 12:53:08 pm
The backup offensive line consisted of, left to right: Sean Locklear, Steve Vallos, Austin King, Mansfield Wrotto and Kyle Williams. For team drills, the starting line consisted of Walter Jones, Rob Sims, Pat Ross, Ray Willis and Locklear. Chris Spencer (shoulder injury) is not participating in team drills, and Chris Gray has missed the start of minicamp while moving his family from Alabama. Update: Womack apparently injured the knee Tuesday. He was out at practice today but left at the beginning, just as reporters were getting there. The assumption at the time was that the injury occurred early in practice today. The severity of the injury was not immediately known. I have nothing official from the team as to the likelihood of surgery, but will pass along an update once there is something firm.
Posted by Mike Sando @ 10:26:30 am
We had some fun with Bryce Fisher in our newspaper story this morning. If anyone has audio or video of him singing the Air Force fight song over the weekend, feel free to point us in the right direction. Thanks to the reader who tipped me off in the first place. Fisher was able to laugh at himself on this one, admitting that he couldn't remember some of the words. Note: The Seahawks are gathering on the field for minicamp practice right now. We'll have our usual report afterward.
Categories: Offbeat Stuff
• 5 comments
Tuesday, June 5th, 2007
Posted by Mike Sando @ 04:07:22 pm
Former Seahawks CB Kelly Herndon is expected to visit the Titans, Mike Reinfeldt told the Nashville City Paper. Reinfeldt, the Titans' new GM, was with the Seahawks when Seattle signed Herndon in early 2005. The Seahawks released Herndon last week because he wasn't interested in being a backup, coach Mike Holmgren said. The Hawks saved $1.06 million against the 2007 salary cap by releasing Herndon. That figure represents his previously scheduled 2007 cap number (consisting of $2.5 million in base salary plus $720,000 in prorated bonus) minus the sum of all outstanding prorated bonus money (the aforementioned $720,000 plus equal amounts for 2008 and 2009).
Posted by Mike Sando @ 01:18:58 pm
We'll be adding former USC tackle Kyle Williams to the roster this afternoon. He joined the team in time for this minicamp. I saw him out there yesterday (No. 79) and thought of long-ago No. 79 Grant Williams, which tells you I've been covering this team a little while. In other roster-related stuff, the league has made note of unrestricted free agents who were not asked to re-sign. For Seattle, the list included DE Kemp Rasmussen, CB Jimmy Williams and retiring C Robbie Tobeck. According to this league calendar maintained by the NFLPA, June 1 was the "deadline for old club to send tender to its unsigned Unrestricted Free Agents to retain rights if player is not signed by another club by July 22 or beginning of veteran training camp, whichever is earlier."
Posted by Mike Sando @ 01:02:52 pm
Mike Green was the Seahawks' starting strong safety when a severe foot injury took him down during training camp last summer. This was a lisfranc fracture, a dreaded injury that can end NFL careers. Green is back on the field in a limited capacity, jogging through some individual drills during minicamp practices. He resumed running about a month ago. The foot is still sore, but he plans to be ready to compete for a job at training camp. "I am basically cleared to work out," Green said after practice today. "Next week I'll be able to do seven-on-seven." Prognoses can change, of course, but that is the plan for now. Green is returning to a remade secondary. Seattle put its free-agent money into Deon Grant and, to a lesser extent, Brian Russell. Grant will start at one spot. Russell is the favorite at the other spot. Michael Boulware will compete for a job when he returns from injury, as will Green. "I'm not looking at the position (as a whole)," Green said. "I'm looking at getting healthy and competing at that level." For more on the DB situation, check out our recent positional analysis.
Posted by Mike Sando @ 06:47:27 am
The final two plays of practice Monday featured: |
Offensive lineman Floyd Womack left practice today with a knee injury of unknown severity. Womack's health has been a recurring topic given that he has missed time with injuries to his quadriceps, triceps, calf, heel, toe, knee, ankle, hip, hand and head since entering the NFL with Seattle in 2001.