--On the potential scrimmage date and time. I couldn’t get the info that GladiatorHawk provided confirmed by the team today. That doesn’t mean that it’s wrong by any means, but they’re apparently not ready to make an official announcement yet.

--On the signing of Isaiah Kacyvenski by Oakland. I’m with the well-wishers here. As hard as I tax my memory, I don’t recall ever being around an NFL player so ceaselessly enthused about playing the game. Everybody knows his personal history and tales of rising from incredible hardships.

A publishing house approached me to ghost write Kaz’s autobiography last summer. I thought it would be a great project and after talking it over with him, was prepared to do it. But the timetable was so hurried for both Kaz and me (with an October deadline) that we didn’t think it possible to do it the way it deserved. I’m not sure if they ever got anybody to do it with him at a later date, but I know it would make a terrific story and potential TV movie or the like.

I’ve done countless columns on him starting from the day he was drafted, and the toughest thing was getting him to slow down a little bit as he spoke … he was always so excited that he answered questions as if he were covering kickoffs.

I don’t know how much more he’s got left in him physically, but I know it’s wrong to write him off too early because he can contribute in a lot of ways. He certainly elevated the tempo of practices, as nobody I’ve seen played with such unsparing energy.

--On D.J. Hackett being overlooked by national analysts. I only know what I’ve seen, and that was Hackett coming up with a lot of big catches at crucial times in games and making the most of the opportunities when they arose. It will be different this year because those plays will be expected rather than coming as a bit of a surprise out of a bench guy. Sometimes players respond to increased responsibility and higher expectations differently. He seems to have proven, though, that the physical skills are there. Somebody has to pick up the slack for the departure of Darrell Jackson and the 10 TD catches he made last year. Hackett is certainly one who will be expected to do his part.

--On whether Chris Gray can be anything more than a backup at RG this season. I re-read “Old Man and the Sea” the other day and came across a line that I underlined to use in a column about Gray some day. “I may not be as strong as I think,” the old man said. “But I know many tricks and I have resolution.” Seems a fitting scouting report.

I was critical of him a few years ago, as the big DTs were really pushing him around, but it seems to me that he’s somehow managed to be more effective the last couple years. Maybe it’s tricks, scheme, or others giving him more help. But I certainly would be hesitant to tell him it’s time to sit down.

--On Leonard Weaver’s skills at catching the ball. Those of you paying close attention to this team probably share my thoughts on this … Weaver could be a very productive player just waiting for his opportunity to show it. His development as a blocker will be a critical component of his getting more time. As a receiver, remember that he was a former college tight end. During one minicamp practice, he made the catch of the day. I recall it was in the Red Zone offense; he sneaked through a crease and caught a ball that was high and behind him. It was one of those where he had to raise, spin, and just spear it with one hand. He brought it down, falling backwards, causing the offense to break out in cheers. Very impressive.

--On the reported signing of seventh-rounder Steve Vallos. They call him a tackle, but he looks like a 6-3 guard. He’s not huge and his strength numbers are supposedly unimpressive. You know what, though? This guy has a look about him when he comes to the line. I’ve seen that look … it tells the defender that this guy is willing to do anything up to and including chewing off somebody’s knee caps if he has to to get the job done. One low draft pick I covered when he was in college had that look … Mark Schlereth. I don’t want to imply that Vallos is going to end up with that kind of career and retire with three Super Bowl rings. I’m just saying that if a tough attitude comes into play, Vallos seems to have it.

I watched him a little in minicamp when he was going one-on-one in pass-blocking drills against fourth-round rookie Baraka Atkins. It was one of those rainy, wet days, and Atkins might have had trouble with his footing, but Vallos stonewalled him two or three times.

The Seahawks announced the signing of their seventh-round draft pick today. The team release:

Seahawks Sign Seventh Rounder, Release Running Back

Kirkland, Wash. – The Seattle Seahawks have signed guard Steve Vallos, the team announced this afternoon.

Vallos, drafted in the seventh round (232nd overall), becomes the fifth draft pick to sign with Seattle. Cornerback Josh Wilson, defensive tackle Brandon Mebane and defensive end Baraka Atkins remain unsigned.

To make room on the roster, the team released running back Joe Rubin.

Before getting back to weightier issues, here's a schedule for the upcoming training camp.

July 26, rookies and quarterbacks report
July 28, all players report
July 29, first practice
Aug. 24, camp breaks

Plans are in progress for a scrimmage, but they're still working out the details. An announcement should be expected by no later than the end of next week. We'll pass that along as soon as plans are solidified.