Tuesday In Hawkville
FOCUS ON
Trivial pursuit. With the players off today, the coaches working on the game plan for Sunday’s regular-season opener against the 49ers in San Francisco and the 53-man roster set, for now, we figured it was a good time to examine those players.
Oldest player: Defensive end Raheem Brock, 33. He’s the only player who was born in the 70s (1978).
Youngest player: Linebacker K.J. Wright, turned 22 last month. Cornerback Richard Sherman, free safety Earl Thomas and offensive lineman James Carpenter also were born in 1989.
Tallest player: Offensive lineman Tyler Polumbus, 6 feet 8 (one inch taller than guard Robert Gallery and tackle Breno Giacomini).
Shortest player: Running backs Justin Forsett and Leon Washington, who are listed at 5-8.
Heaviest player: Defensive tackle Alan Branch and Gallery, who are listed at 325 pounds.
Lightest player: Wide receiver Doug Baldwin, 189 pounds.
Biggest feet: Tackle Russell Okung and defensive tackle Al Woods, size 17.
Fastest player: Practice-squad wide receiver Ricardo Lockette, the NCAA Division II 200-meter champion in 2008 (20.23 seconds) who also ran the 40-yard dash in 4.27 seconds at his Pro Day workout. Asked around, and we’ve put together this 4×100 relay team: Thomas, Washington, Lockette and, when healthy, wide receiver Deon Butler.
Players who have been voted to the most Pro Bowls: Cornerback Marcus Trufant, wide receiver Sidney Rice, tight end Zach Miller, running back Marshawn Lynch and Washington, one each. Trufant went for the Seahawks in 2007, while the others went for their previous teams – Rice (Vikings, 2009); Miller (Raiders, 2010); Lynch (Bills, 2008); and Washington (Jets, 2008).
PLAYER WATCH
The new guys. Or, newest guys, if you will. The Seahawks claimed four players off waivers on Sunday, and Carroll provides a rundown on each after practice on Monday.
Kicker Steven Hauschka (waived by the Broncos): “We had our eyes on Hauschka the whole time, all through the summer. We didn’t know if he would make it there or not, but he was a guy that we were watching. So when he became available, we jumped on it. … He’s a young, strong-legged guy. We’ve seen nothing but good stuff. So we’re excited to see what he adds.”
Woods (Buccaneers): “Al was with (defensive line coach) Todd Wash before and he’s a big, long guy (6-4, 307). He’s almost the same body type as Red (Bryant, the five-technique end). He’s been an inside defender that we know can play in there, but we want to get him prepared to backup Red and play that spot. He’s got all the same dimensions and the makeup. We’re hoping to see a similar type of transition for him.”
Defensive tackle Landon Cohen (Patriots): “Landon is a guy that is so active. He’s a young guy that shows a lot of juice. We want to see how he fits in with our guys and see if we can find a spot for him because he plays so darn hard.”
Offensive tackle Jarriel King (Giants), who did not practice Monday because of a sore ankle: “This is a young guy that was a free agent going into the Giants’ camp that just has tremendous potential. He’s long and tall (6-5, 317) and has got good feet. He’s a bright kid so we’re anxious to see how we can develop him. We’re excited about the future for him. This is a guy we can develop.”
PRACTICE SQUAD ROULETTE
The club made changes on its practice squad today, signing guard Paul Fanaika and defensive tackle Pep Levingston and releasing safety Josh Pinkard and defensive lineman Maurice Fountain.
Levingston, a seventh-round draft choice this year, was on the 53-man roster when the cuts were made Saturday, but then released Sunday. Fanaika was with the team in training camp and the preseason but released on the cut to 53 players.
STAT DU JOUR
Despite having a 13-22 record in their previous season openers, the Seahawks are tied for fourth in the league for the best September record over the past 10 seasons – 20-12. Only the Colts (26), Broncos (24) and Patriots (21) have won more games in September during the span. The Giants also have won 20 games in the opening month.
UP NEXT
The first Wednesday of the regular season, which means Carroll’s news conference at noon, which will be carried live on Seahawks.com; conference-call interviews with 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh and a player; and, of course, practice, as the players return from their off day.
The Seahawks are sponsoring a “Back to Football Friday,” with help from 710 ESPN and Top Pot Doughnuts. The Brock and Salk Show on 710 ESPN will broadcast live (9 a.m. until noon) from the Bellevue Top Pot location on Friday. There will be events at the Seattle (12:30-1:30 p.m.) and Renton (3-4 p.m.) locations, as well, also featuring the Sea Gals, Blitz and Blue Thunder (Bellevue and Seattle only). KIRO-FM will be the Seattle location.
YOU DON’T SAY
“Yeah, it seems like the room is really light. There’s not many guys in there right now. It is time for, one, to congratulate the guys that have made the team. We’re really fired up about the group that we have.” – Carroll, on the first day after the roster was cut from 80 to 53 players
http://blog.seahawks.com/2011/09/06/tuesday-in-hawkville-52/