Mike Holmgren's post-practice news conference started out innocently enough, talking about this and that.

And then we asked about Marcus Tubbs, and he drops in that they "put him on some list." On a list? Yeah, some list, not physically unable to perform list, because he essentially is a free agent. A free agent? You mean, like, he's been cut? Well, we wanted to let him go so he can get healthy and if he gets better he is welcome to come back.

Then, a few minutes later, he drops in that things are difficult with Engram. What happened with Bobby, Mike? Oh, well, he cracked a bone in his shoulder and is out for 6-8 weeks. Hmmm, that might be something you want to start the news conference with.

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Anyway, what looked like an otherwise normal morning became a stunning turn of events, with the former first-round pick having his career ended and the guy who held out this summer because he wanted a contract extension having at least a quarter of his season collapse. Now, perhaps, we know why Engram wanted more security.

In the immediate, it appears as if the Seahawks are going to have to keep extra receivers on their roster because two of them need roster spots and won't be able to play immediately. Holmgren said he is going to have to see Branch practice for at least a week if he going to play in the season opener -- which I still find hard to believe. But where we had Michael Bumpus and probably Jordan Kent slated for the practice squad, one or maybe even both of them may make the active 53-man roster. The Engram thing is tricky because if you think he is going to be out eight week, maybe you PUP him. But if it is six weeks, you likely have to keep him on the active roster. Tim Ruskell has some difficult decisions to make.

Until this happened, I was going to write a story on Leroy Hill for tomorrow, and I asked him about his contract situation during the interview. He said as far as he knows, nothing is happening with the negotiations. In fact, he said, he doesn't even think there have been negotiations. He is trying to take it in stride since they have until next year to do something, and he understands it's a business; if he has to go somewhere else to get paid, he will do that.

This morning's practice started out with individual drill work, and I watched Mike Solari and Mike DeBord go over zone blocking schemes with the offensive line for a while. There was one funny sight when they were trying to coach them on Chicago's blitzing schemes. Because so many guys are hurt, a 160-pound ballboy had to wear a green beanie on his head and pose as a pass rusher. He was going against? Yep, Walter Jones. Big Walt didn't have a problem with him. Mike Holmgren doesn't usually take much interest in these types of drills, but he stood there watching intently for 20 minutes.

The kickers made all their attempts during special teams.

Matt Hasselbeck once again did not practice, joining a very very long list of sidelined players. Interestingly, when they ran 11-on-11 drills, Charlie Frye was with the first team and Seneca Wallace was with the second unit.

They also ran some sequences where the offense had its back up against the goal line, starting at the 2. On the first possession, the first team defense stopped the offense when Frye missed two passes, the second of which Marcus Trufant almost picked off.

On the second sequence, Seneca found Jordan Kent over the middle to get out of the situation. (Kyle Williams hurt his leg on the second play and left practice for good.)

On the third possession, my pen ran out of ink and I don't really remember how it ended -- though I do remember T.J. Duckett running into Trufant and Trufant having his contact pop out of his eye. Now that is power.

My inkless pen did not permit me to record the rest of practice, though there was not a great deal left after that -- at least until Holmgren dropped his bombshells.