Seahawks 2009 schedule
- Thread starter savage
- Start date
Hasselbeck to Houshmandzadeh
Each play during a red-zone drill – and several others – ended with the same result: A touchdown pass from Matt Hasselbeck to T.J. Houshmandzadeh.
On one play, he lined up as the flanker and came across the field before catching the ball in the endzone. On another, he lulled the defender by using a slow release, only to then unleash an explosive burst to get past him for the score. On a third, he came in motion before darting in to the end zone.
Each play during a red-zone drill – and several others – ended with the same result: A touchdown pass from Matt Hasselbeck to T.J. Houshmandzadeh.
The onslaught in the final drill of the Seahawks’ final practice during their weekend minicamp was enough that coach Jim Mora later offered, “They tore it up in the red zone today.”
Mora will get no argument from Hasselbeck or Houshmandzadeh, who saw the video of their red-hot performance for the first time Tuesday morning – when the veterans returned for the start of a three-day OTA session. In fact, the pitcher and catcher each broke into a large smile when asked about their scintillating Sunday.
“I can’t believe how many touchdowns I caught,” Houshmandzadeh said. “It was at least eight or nine, and I should have caught more. I’ve never caught that many in one practice. You should never catch that many in one practice.”
Said Hasselbeck, “It was nuts. It was crazy. We had a great day in the red zone. I was surprised. We wore them out.”
It’s called chemistry. Or a rapport. Or being on the same page. Regardless of the tag, achieving it is not supposed to be as easy as Hasselbeck and Houshmandzadeh made it look – and it’s definitely not supposed to happen this quickly, seeing as how Houshmandzadeh was just signed in March after playing his first eight NFL seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals.
So, what gives? The hand wringing over Hasselbeck being able to develop a rapport with Deion Branch was deafening in 2006 after the former Super Bowl MVP for the New England Patriots was acquired in a September trade. There were similar concerns earlier that year, when Nate Burleson was obtained in free agency from the Minnesota Vikings.
The reverse was true in 2007 after Darrell Jackson was sent to the San Francisco 49ers in a draft day trade, and again this offseason when the club opted against re-signing Bobby Engram. How would Hasselbeck cope with – and compensate for – losing his “go-to” receiver?
There’s something to each side of this heads-and-tails coin. Because the kind of production generated by Hasselbeck to Jackson (87 receptions in 2004; 10 touchdowns in 2006) and Hasselbeck to Engram (a team-leading 67 receptions in 2005; a franchise-record 94 in 2007) takes time to germinate. The more the QB and his preferred option play together, the more natural the connection becomes – even when it reached the point of the supernatural.
An example that is as ridiculous as it is obvious came on a 49-yard touchdown pass from Hasselbeck to Jackson in 2006 game against the Arizona Cardinals. Asked after the game when he saw Jackson get open on the play, Hasselbeck said he never saw the receiver. Instead, Hasselbeck explained that he noticed the free safety commit to another receiver and knew that if Jackson had seen the same thing, he would be open at the spot Hasselbeck threw the ball.
“It helps knowing a guy’s personality,” Hasselbeck said Tuesday. “In that case, and in many cases with Darrell, he’d come back 100 times on that play – and he’s not even in the read – and say, ‘Hey, I was open. I was open. If they ever do this on that play, I’m there.’
“So there’s something about knowing a guy’s personality.”
Hasselbeck and Houshmandzadeh haven’t reached that level of simpatico yet, but their feeling-out process does seem to be way ahead of the usual schedule. Despite burning the defense repeatedly in that red-zone drill Sunday, each understands that repetition is the key to unlocking similar success once the season starts.
For one thing, Houshmandzadeh runs routes differently than Engram. While Engram would get almost toe to toe with the defender before working his magic to get open, the process starts much earlier for Houshmandzadeh.
“T.J. really works his routes,” Hasselbeck said. “T.J. starts working his routes from the first step. He eventually gets there, but it’s just a different timing I’ve got to get down. He will always create separation. He will always give you a window.”
Using his hands to simulate the opening and closing of that window, Hasselbeck added, “It’s my job to get the ball to him when that window is there (hands apart), not when it’s there (hands together).”
For another thing, Houshmandzadeh, at 6 feet 2, 203 pounds, is bigger than Jackson and Engram – who combined to catch 50 of the 147 touchdown passes Hasselbeck has thrown for the Seahawks.
“No disrespect to D-Jack, but I’m going to catch more balls than he caught,” Houshmandzadeh said.
The statement came with a no-brag, just-fact from a receiver who averaged 89 receptions the past five seasons and had 112 in 2007 – including 12 for 141 yards in a Week 3 loss to the Seahawks at Qwest Field.
“I don’t know Bobby very well, but he’s played 13 years for a reason,” Houshmandzadeh said. “I just present for Matt probably a little more quickness, more size. So his radius throwing the ball will be larger.”
Houshmandzadeh then stretched his arms and went to his tiptoes before adding, “He can put the ball outside of my frame and I’m able to get more balls than they could because I’m bigger than they were.”
Houshmandzadeh said it took two seasons for him to develop an explosive – and exploitive – chemistry with Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer. But they became starters in the same season (2004). Houshmandzadeh and Hasselbeck already have traveled productive paths to reach this intersection in their careers.
“For me, it’s easy, I’ve just got to catch the ball,” Houshmandzadeh said. “For Matt, it’s just getting familiar with me and my body language. Once we get that, then things will start to flow real well.”
http://www.seahawks.com/team/articl...andzadeh/f47abee3-b0c8-4be1-b7ce-5717ba10cca3
are you scared yet? you should be haha
Each play during a red-zone drill – and several others – ended with the same result: A touchdown pass from Matt Hasselbeck to T.J. Houshmandzadeh.
On one play, he lined up as the flanker and came across the field before catching the ball in the endzone. On another, he lulled the defender by using a slow release, only to then unleash an explosive burst to get past him for the score. On a third, he came in motion before darting in to the end zone.
Each play during a red-zone drill – and several others – ended with the same result: A touchdown pass from Matt Hasselbeck to T.J. Houshmandzadeh.
The onslaught in the final drill of the Seahawks’ final practice during their weekend minicamp was enough that coach Jim Mora later offered, “They tore it up in the red zone today.”
Mora will get no argument from Hasselbeck or Houshmandzadeh, who saw the video of their red-hot performance for the first time Tuesday morning – when the veterans returned for the start of a three-day OTA session. In fact, the pitcher and catcher each broke into a large smile when asked about their scintillating Sunday.
“I can’t believe how many touchdowns I caught,” Houshmandzadeh said. “It was at least eight or nine, and I should have caught more. I’ve never caught that many in one practice. You should never catch that many in one practice.”
Said Hasselbeck, “It was nuts. It was crazy. We had a great day in the red zone. I was surprised. We wore them out.”
It’s called chemistry. Or a rapport. Or being on the same page. Regardless of the tag, achieving it is not supposed to be as easy as Hasselbeck and Houshmandzadeh made it look – and it’s definitely not supposed to happen this quickly, seeing as how Houshmandzadeh was just signed in March after playing his first eight NFL seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals.
So, what gives? The hand wringing over Hasselbeck being able to develop a rapport with Deion Branch was deafening in 2006 after the former Super Bowl MVP for the New England Patriots was acquired in a September trade. There were similar concerns earlier that year, when Nate Burleson was obtained in free agency from the Minnesota Vikings.
The reverse was true in 2007 after Darrell Jackson was sent to the San Francisco 49ers in a draft day trade, and again this offseason when the club opted against re-signing Bobby Engram. How would Hasselbeck cope with – and compensate for – losing his “go-to” receiver?
There’s something to each side of this heads-and-tails coin. Because the kind of production generated by Hasselbeck to Jackson (87 receptions in 2004; 10 touchdowns in 2006) and Hasselbeck to Engram (a team-leading 67 receptions in 2005; a franchise-record 94 in 2007) takes time to germinate. The more the QB and his preferred option play together, the more natural the connection becomes – even when it reached the point of the supernatural.
An example that is as ridiculous as it is obvious came on a 49-yard touchdown pass from Hasselbeck to Jackson in 2006 game against the Arizona Cardinals. Asked after the game when he saw Jackson get open on the play, Hasselbeck said he never saw the receiver. Instead, Hasselbeck explained that he noticed the free safety commit to another receiver and knew that if Jackson had seen the same thing, he would be open at the spot Hasselbeck threw the ball.
“It helps knowing a guy’s personality,” Hasselbeck said Tuesday. “In that case, and in many cases with Darrell, he’d come back 100 times on that play – and he’s not even in the read – and say, ‘Hey, I was open. I was open. If they ever do this on that play, I’m there.’
“So there’s something about knowing a guy’s personality.”
Hasselbeck and Houshmandzadeh haven’t reached that level of simpatico yet, but their feeling-out process does seem to be way ahead of the usual schedule. Despite burning the defense repeatedly in that red-zone drill Sunday, each understands that repetition is the key to unlocking similar success once the season starts.
For one thing, Houshmandzadeh runs routes differently than Engram. While Engram would get almost toe to toe with the defender before working his magic to get open, the process starts much earlier for Houshmandzadeh.
“T.J. really works his routes,” Hasselbeck said. “T.J. starts working his routes from the first step. He eventually gets there, but it’s just a different timing I’ve got to get down. He will always create separation. He will always give you a window.”
Using his hands to simulate the opening and closing of that window, Hasselbeck added, “It’s my job to get the ball to him when that window is there (hands apart), not when it’s there (hands together).”
For another thing, Houshmandzadeh, at 6 feet 2, 203 pounds, is bigger than Jackson and Engram – who combined to catch 50 of the 147 touchdown passes Hasselbeck has thrown for the Seahawks.
“No disrespect to D-Jack, but I’m going to catch more balls than he caught,” Houshmandzadeh said.
The statement came with a no-brag, just-fact from a receiver who averaged 89 receptions the past five seasons and had 112 in 2007 – including 12 for 141 yards in a Week 3 loss to the Seahawks at Qwest Field.
“I don’t know Bobby very well, but he’s played 13 years for a reason,” Houshmandzadeh said. “I just present for Matt probably a little more quickness, more size. So his radius throwing the ball will be larger.”
Houshmandzadeh then stretched his arms and went to his tiptoes before adding, “He can put the ball outside of my frame and I’m able to get more balls than they could because I’m bigger than they were.”
Houshmandzadeh said it took two seasons for him to develop an explosive – and exploitive – chemistry with Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer. But they became starters in the same season (2004). Houshmandzadeh and Hasselbeck already have traveled productive paths to reach this intersection in their careers.
“For me, it’s easy, I’ve just got to catch the ball,” Houshmandzadeh said. “For Matt, it’s just getting familiar with me and my body language. Once we get that, then things will start to flow real well.”
http://www.seahawks.com/team/articl...andzadeh/f47abee3-b0c8-4be1-b7ce-5717ba10cca3
are you scared yet? you should be haha
i thought for sure TJ would be WR 1 on our depth chart, but it shows that Nate is going to be WR 1, and TJ WR 2.
WR1 Nate Burleson Deon Butler Billy McMullen Jordan Kent
WR2 TJ Houshmandzadeh Deion Branch Benjamin Obomanu Courtney Taylor
http://www.seahawks.com/team/depth-chart.html
WR1 Nate Burleson Deon Butler Billy McMullen Jordan Kent
WR2 TJ Houshmandzadeh Deion Branch Benjamin Obomanu Courtney Taylor
http://www.seahawks.com/team/depth-chart.html
Inside Slant
Perhaps veteran offensive tackle Walter Jones(notes) isn’t as healthy as the Seattle Seahawks’ brass publicly stated.
Team sources on Thursday disputed reports that recently released Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Levi Jones(notes) was scheduled for a visit this week.
Levi Jones played left tackle for the Bengals, and was a first-round draft pick by Cincinnati in 2002, selected 10th overall. He played seven seasons for the Bengals, seeing action in 94 games with 89 starts.
However, Jones finished last year on the shelf, suffering a season-ending leg injury against Philadelphia and missing the last six games. Jones also has missed 17 games in the last three seasons.
The Seahawks could be looking to add depth at offensive tackle, with Walter Jones not participating in the team’s minicamp while still rehabbing from microfracture surgery on his left knee. The team has said it expects Jones to return in time for the beginning of training camp in July.
However, if Jones cannot return, GM Tim Ruskell has said the plan is for right tackle Sean Locklear(notes) to move to left tackle, and Ray Willis(notes) to fill-in at right tackle, so the report of the team looking at Levi Jones was odd.
But perhaps the Seahawks are considering the former Bengal as a replacement for Walter Jones at left tackle should the Pro Bowler fail to return to his high level of play.
Willis said he still expects Jones to return, and that the current configuration of the teams’ offensive line with Locklear at left tackle and Willis at right tackle is not a preview of the future.
“No, we’re all just going out there and trying to work hard,” Willis said. “We’re not really concerned with that. Everybody’s just trying to go out there and do their job.
“It’s difficult to imagine the Seahawks without Walter Jones because of what he’s done for his organization. He’s a freak of nature. He’s a marvel. I think he’s one of those guys who can play as long as he wants in this league at the level he plays at, which is an elite, premiere level. So I think it’s going to be his decision on when he want to walk away.”
--------------------------------
gon be a sad sad day once we find out he's permanently done. one of the best offensive linemen ever.
Perhaps veteran offensive tackle Walter Jones(notes) isn’t as healthy as the Seattle Seahawks’ brass publicly stated.
Team sources on Thursday disputed reports that recently released Cincinnati Bengals offensive tackle Levi Jones(notes) was scheduled for a visit this week.
Levi Jones played left tackle for the Bengals, and was a first-round draft pick by Cincinnati in 2002, selected 10th overall. He played seven seasons for the Bengals, seeing action in 94 games with 89 starts.
However, Jones finished last year on the shelf, suffering a season-ending leg injury against Philadelphia and missing the last six games. Jones also has missed 17 games in the last three seasons.
The Seahawks could be looking to add depth at offensive tackle, with Walter Jones not participating in the team’s minicamp while still rehabbing from microfracture surgery on his left knee. The team has said it expects Jones to return in time for the beginning of training camp in July.
However, if Jones cannot return, GM Tim Ruskell has said the plan is for right tackle Sean Locklear(notes) to move to left tackle, and Ray Willis(notes) to fill-in at right tackle, so the report of the team looking at Levi Jones was odd.
But perhaps the Seahawks are considering the former Bengal as a replacement for Walter Jones at left tackle should the Pro Bowler fail to return to his high level of play.
Willis said he still expects Jones to return, and that the current configuration of the teams’ offensive line with Locklear at left tackle and Willis at right tackle is not a preview of the future.
“No, we’re all just going out there and trying to work hard,” Willis said. “We’re not really concerned with that. Everybody’s just trying to go out there and do their job.
“It’s difficult to imagine the Seahawks without Walter Jones because of what he’s done for his organization. He’s a freak of nature. He’s a marvel. I think he’s one of those guys who can play as long as he wants in this league at the level he plays at, which is an elite, premiere level. So I think it’s going to be his decision on when he want to walk away.”
--------------------------------
gon be a sad sad day once we find out he's permanently done. one of the best offensive linemen ever.
Notes, Quotes
• Rookie wide receiver Deon Butler(notes) has more than lived up to expectations so far during his short time with the Seahawks.
During the team’s first camp after the draft, the speedy receiver and all-time receptions leader for Penn State looked like he belonged, showing a consistent ability to get deep against some of Seattle’s veteran corners.
At 5-feet-10, 182 pounds, Butler might need to put on a few pounds. But his speed has been on display, showing why Seattle spent fifth- and seventh-round picks in the draft, along with a third-round pick next year, to move up to take Butler in the third round of this year’s draft.
At 5-feet-10, 182 pounds, Butler might need to put on a few pounds. But his speed has been on display, showing why Seattle spent fifth- and seventh-round picks in the draft, along with a third-round pick next year, to move up to take Butler in the third round of this year’s draft.
Butler also earned high praise from another former third-round pick - fellow receiver and new teammate Nate Burleson(notes).
“Being a third-round draft pick I know exactly what he’s going through,” Burleson said. “Especially coming to a team where the receiving corps is already set. But just by watching him practice, there’s no way he’s going to be sitting on the bench on game day, and that is for sure. … Running past some of the guys that we’re going to have on the field on the defensive side, it just shows that he’s going to be a competitor. And he’s going to be an integral part of our receiving corps.”
Butler said picking up the nuances of running routes has been a challenging adjustment, and that he’s been leaning on veterans T.J. Houshmandzadeh(notes), Deion Branch(notes) and Burleson for guidance.
• WR Nate Burleson practiced at full speed for the first time since his September ACL knee surgery during drills at the team’s minicamp a week after the draft, and said he felt comfortable running and getting in and out of cuts.
“For so long I’ve just been rehabbing and running around with tennis shoes on,” Burleson said. “So it’s just good to be out here and catching the ball again.”
• WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh is developing a nice rapport with Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck(notes).
With the team working on red-zone offense, Houshmandzadeh was the recipient of several well-thrown balls from veteran quarterback, as the team continues to work on getting a better understanding of offensive coordinator Greg Knapp’s new system.
“I’ve caught plenty of balls throughout the week, it’s just that in the red zone you score touchdowns,” Houshmandzadeh said. “So that’s always fun. And so I just thought it was good.
“Maybe today guys’ energy might have been higher because it’s the last day. I just thought it was fun. I think being here these last three days, I think we can be pretty good, I really do.”
• Second-year defensive tackle Red Bryant(notes) played in only four games and came up with eight tackles last season, with ankle and knee injuries keeping the fourth-round pick out of Texas A&M from making a steady contribution.
But the 320-pound Bryant has made an impact during minicamp, shoving people around, and looking more comfortable as a run-stuffing force in the middle of the defensive line.
At 6-feet-4, Bryant is from a much taller mold than the traditional, squatty run stuffer. But, according to defensive line coach Dan Quinn, other attributes are more important.
“You’re looking for guys who are enforcer-type guys who want to get their hands on guys and play physical,” Quinn said. “He has that mind-set; he has the temperament to play in there.”
• QB Matt Hasselbeck said he’s getting more comfortable in working in offensive coordinator Greg Knapp’s new system.
“The passing concepts I think I’ve got down pretty good, but there’s a lot of room for improvement,” Hasselbeck said. “I certainly can improve on getting it out of my mouth and saying it in the huddle with more confidence quicker, and making quicker decisions out there.
“One of the harder things is just learning the rules of the running game, and some of the terminology. I think if I just keep plugging away—we’re having meetings and I’m studying at home - and if we just keep doing that we’ll improve as we go. But there definitely is a difference for me in having to learn quite a bit.”
Quote To Note: “Competition’s healthy. That’s what you want. Like I said, you want everybody to feel like they’ve got to compete for a spot on the team, and compete for a spot as a starter, but it’s not reality. But there’ll be some spots that we really got to keep our eye on.”—Seattle Seahawks head coach Jim Mora commenting on wanting to create competition for all positions on the roster.
• Rookie wide receiver Deon Butler(notes) has more than lived up to expectations so far during his short time with the Seahawks.
During the team’s first camp after the draft, the speedy receiver and all-time receptions leader for Penn State looked like he belonged, showing a consistent ability to get deep against some of Seattle’s veteran corners.
At 5-feet-10, 182 pounds, Butler might need to put on a few pounds. But his speed has been on display, showing why Seattle spent fifth- and seventh-round picks in the draft, along with a third-round pick next year, to move up to take Butler in the third round of this year’s draft.
At 5-feet-10, 182 pounds, Butler might need to put on a few pounds. But his speed has been on display, showing why Seattle spent fifth- and seventh-round picks in the draft, along with a third-round pick next year, to move up to take Butler in the third round of this year’s draft.
Butler also earned high praise from another former third-round pick - fellow receiver and new teammate Nate Burleson(notes).
“Being a third-round draft pick I know exactly what he’s going through,” Burleson said. “Especially coming to a team where the receiving corps is already set. But just by watching him practice, there’s no way he’s going to be sitting on the bench on game day, and that is for sure. … Running past some of the guys that we’re going to have on the field on the defensive side, it just shows that he’s going to be a competitor. And he’s going to be an integral part of our receiving corps.”
Butler said picking up the nuances of running routes has been a challenging adjustment, and that he’s been leaning on veterans T.J. Houshmandzadeh(notes), Deion Branch(notes) and Burleson for guidance.
• WR Nate Burleson practiced at full speed for the first time since his September ACL knee surgery during drills at the team’s minicamp a week after the draft, and said he felt comfortable running and getting in and out of cuts.
“For so long I’ve just been rehabbing and running around with tennis shoes on,” Burleson said. “So it’s just good to be out here and catching the ball again.”
• WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh is developing a nice rapport with Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck(notes).
With the team working on red-zone offense, Houshmandzadeh was the recipient of several well-thrown balls from veteran quarterback, as the team continues to work on getting a better understanding of offensive coordinator Greg Knapp’s new system.
“I’ve caught plenty of balls throughout the week, it’s just that in the red zone you score touchdowns,” Houshmandzadeh said. “So that’s always fun. And so I just thought it was good.
“Maybe today guys’ energy might have been higher because it’s the last day. I just thought it was fun. I think being here these last three days, I think we can be pretty good, I really do.”
• Second-year defensive tackle Red Bryant(notes) played in only four games and came up with eight tackles last season, with ankle and knee injuries keeping the fourth-round pick out of Texas A&M from making a steady contribution.
But the 320-pound Bryant has made an impact during minicamp, shoving people around, and looking more comfortable as a run-stuffing force in the middle of the defensive line.
At 6-feet-4, Bryant is from a much taller mold than the traditional, squatty run stuffer. But, according to defensive line coach Dan Quinn, other attributes are more important.
“You’re looking for guys who are enforcer-type guys who want to get their hands on guys and play physical,” Quinn said. “He has that mind-set; he has the temperament to play in there.”
• QB Matt Hasselbeck said he’s getting more comfortable in working in offensive coordinator Greg Knapp’s new system.
“The passing concepts I think I’ve got down pretty good, but there’s a lot of room for improvement,” Hasselbeck said. “I certainly can improve on getting it out of my mouth and saying it in the huddle with more confidence quicker, and making quicker decisions out there.
“One of the harder things is just learning the rules of the running game, and some of the terminology. I think if I just keep plugging away—we’re having meetings and I’m studying at home - and if we just keep doing that we’ll improve as we go. But there definitely is a difference for me in having to learn quite a bit.”
Quote To Note: “Competition’s healthy. That’s what you want. Like I said, you want everybody to feel like they’ve got to compete for a spot on the team, and compete for a spot as a starter, but it’s not reality. But there’ll be some spots that we really got to keep our eye on.”—Seattle Seahawks head coach Jim Mora commenting on wanting to create competition for all positions on the roster.
Renton – By all accounts, Seattle Seahawks running back T.J. Duckett competently fulfilled his assigned role last season as the team’s short-yardage and goal line runner.
He finished with only 172 yards, but totaled eight touchdowns. And Duckett was at his best when duty called on third- and fourth-and-short.
After struggling to convert first downs in short yardage situations a year before Duckett’s arrival, the Seahawks were much better in those situations in 2008. The Seahawks converted on all four of its fourth-down running plays last season of 2 yards or fewer, and 75 percent of the team’s rushing plays on third down when needing 2 yards or fewer.
While satisfied with how he performed in a limited role last year, Duckett, talking with reporters at the end of the team’s organized activities on Thursday, said that he’s pleased with his expanded role in the new Seattle offense, thanks to being reunited with offensive coordinator Greg Knapp.
Duckett had his best success since arriving in the NFL playing for Knapp-led offenses. In Knapp’s first year in charge of the offense in Atlanta, Duckett averaged a career-high 4.9 yards a carry.
“I’m just rejuvenated being able to play another year of football,” said the 28-year-old Duckett. “That’s all that matters. And every year you have to get better than the year before. It definitely helps knowing the offense better, and knowing some of the personnel. But this is a whole new year for everybody. So we’ve put the past away, and started building for a new season this year.
“I love the scheme. I love the style. They’ve used me in the past in certain situations, so they know how to use me and where I can be best at, so that’s nothing but positive.”
While Duckett hopes for similar success to his experience in Atlanta, a few things have changed since last season.
For one, Duckett has let his beard grow. It’s gotten so long and gnarly that teammates have started to pay homage to Duckett by labeling him with a name shared by an infamous mixed marshal arts fighter.
“They call him Kimbo Slice in there, so I’ll leave it at that, I guess,” said quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, when asked what he thought of Duckett’s beard.
“I might cut it pretty soon, but I got attached to it,” Duckett said, noting that it cushions the area around his chin strap.
Duckett also changed his number from 42 to 44. Duckett said No. 44 was the number he wanted when he came out of Michigan State and joined the Falcons, but veteran Bob Christian already had it.
At 6-foot, 254 pounds, Duckett will be the bruiser in Seattle’s backfield combo, along with the more elusive Julius Jones.
Offensive lineman Ray Willis talked about blocking for Duckett: “He’s definitely a hard runner. He’s somebody who gets downhill and is a one-cut guy. But he also has a little bit of a wiggle and a little bit of speed. He brings a lot to this scheme.”
Duckett said things are going well, as the team transitions to a zone blocking system, and that the new system fits his style of running as a one-cut runner.
“We have a great chemistry, not only on the field but off the field as well,” Duckett said. “And you put all of that together with the skill and talent they have, I mean those guys bust their hump every day, and they work hard every day. That motivates us. And they’re the driving force behind all of this.”
Extra points
The Seahawks practice Thursday included working on the two-minute drill. The team will continue offseason workouts through May, with rookies returning May 17. A mandatory minicamp is scheduled June 10-12, and the first day of training camp is tentatively set for July 31. … Team sources disputed a report that recently released Cincinnati offensive tackle Levi Jones was scheduled for a visit this week. Jones was the starting left tackle for the Bengals
He finished with only 172 yards, but totaled eight touchdowns. And Duckett was at his best when duty called on third- and fourth-and-short.
After struggling to convert first downs in short yardage situations a year before Duckett’s arrival, the Seahawks were much better in those situations in 2008. The Seahawks converted on all four of its fourth-down running plays last season of 2 yards or fewer, and 75 percent of the team’s rushing plays on third down when needing 2 yards or fewer.
While satisfied with how he performed in a limited role last year, Duckett, talking with reporters at the end of the team’s organized activities on Thursday, said that he’s pleased with his expanded role in the new Seattle offense, thanks to being reunited with offensive coordinator Greg Knapp.
Duckett had his best success since arriving in the NFL playing for Knapp-led offenses. In Knapp’s first year in charge of the offense in Atlanta, Duckett averaged a career-high 4.9 yards a carry.
“I’m just rejuvenated being able to play another year of football,” said the 28-year-old Duckett. “That’s all that matters. And every year you have to get better than the year before. It definitely helps knowing the offense better, and knowing some of the personnel. But this is a whole new year for everybody. So we’ve put the past away, and started building for a new season this year.
“I love the scheme. I love the style. They’ve used me in the past in certain situations, so they know how to use me and where I can be best at, so that’s nothing but positive.”
While Duckett hopes for similar success to his experience in Atlanta, a few things have changed since last season.
For one, Duckett has let his beard grow. It’s gotten so long and gnarly that teammates have started to pay homage to Duckett by labeling him with a name shared by an infamous mixed marshal arts fighter.
“They call him Kimbo Slice in there, so I’ll leave it at that, I guess,” said quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, when asked what he thought of Duckett’s beard.
“I might cut it pretty soon, but I got attached to it,” Duckett said, noting that it cushions the area around his chin strap.
Duckett also changed his number from 42 to 44. Duckett said No. 44 was the number he wanted when he came out of Michigan State and joined the Falcons, but veteran Bob Christian already had it.
At 6-foot, 254 pounds, Duckett will be the bruiser in Seattle’s backfield combo, along with the more elusive Julius Jones.
Offensive lineman Ray Willis talked about blocking for Duckett: “He’s definitely a hard runner. He’s somebody who gets downhill and is a one-cut guy. But he also has a little bit of a wiggle and a little bit of speed. He brings a lot to this scheme.”
Duckett said things are going well, as the team transitions to a zone blocking system, and that the new system fits his style of running as a one-cut runner.
“We have a great chemistry, not only on the field but off the field as well,” Duckett said. “And you put all of that together with the skill and talent they have, I mean those guys bust their hump every day, and they work hard every day. That motivates us. And they’re the driving force behind all of this.”
Extra points
The Seahawks practice Thursday included working on the two-minute drill. The team will continue offseason workouts through May, with rookies returning May 17. A mandatory minicamp is scheduled June 10-12, and the first day of training camp is tentatively set for July 31. … Team sources disputed a report that recently released Cincinnati offensive tackle Levi Jones was scheduled for a visit this week. Jones was the starting left tackle for the Bengals
Seahawks’ Burleson looks, feels healthy
RENTON, Wash. (AP)—Nate Burleson(notes) is running pass patterns again, effortlessly, like a gazelle. He’s catching almost every ball thrown near him, as if he were the touchdown leader again.
Heck, he’s even lining up as a scout-team defensive back, giving other Seahawks wide receivers someone to run against during offseason practices.
Hey, did this guy really have reconstructive knee surgery eight months ago?
“I feel like I always have, like I’m the same player,” Seattle’s forgotten game-breaker said with a big grin this week.
He had just finished three days of organized drills on the field with quarterback Matt Hasselbeck(notes), the new coaching staff and every other Seahawks player relieved Burleson is back.
A month ago, Burleson hesitated when asked if he’d be ready for training camp in late July.
Now?
“If they are pushing me out there right now, I guarantee I will be out there for training camp,” he said, chuckling.
Burleson, a seven-year veteran from Seattle’s O’Dea High School by way of the University of Nevada and, until 2006, the Minnesota Vikings, said the week of practices has eased his mind. But he still wasn’t full-go. The Seahawks kept him restricted to position drills. He watched from behind the huddle during team scrimmages.
Then again, they don’t need him joining newly signed T.J. Houshmandzadeh(notes) and Deion Branch(notes), another wide receiver recovering from two knee surgeries in the last 15 months, until the opener against St. Louis. That’s four months away.
“Of course, I’m not going to be 100 percent yet,” Burleson said, wearing a black brace over the knee. “The last couple of days, I’ve got to be honest, there was some doubt in my mind, but right now I don’t feel my knee hurting. This week has proved to me the rehab is working.”
Working as well as Dr. James Andrews has ever seen.
Andrews is the Birmingham, Ala.-based guru of major reconstructive surgeries on professional athletes who recently told Burleson he’s amazed at his recovery. He operated on Burleson’s knee last September, after the 27-year-old tore his anterior cruciate ligament while trying to cut sharply on a rain-slicked, synthetic field in Buffalo during the Seahawks’ season-opening loss.
The injury ruined Burleson’s follow-up to the 2007 season, when he led Seattle with nine touchdown receptions and added another two scores on kick returns. The injury occurred when Burleson appeared to trip over his own feet.
Seattle ended up with six more injuries at wide receiver last season, one of many reasons Hasselbeck was one of the league’s worst passers—until he, too, got hurt—and the Seahawks face-planted to a 4-12 finish. It was their worst season since 1992.
It’s all ancient history to Hasselbeck.
“I don’t know timelines, but he is definitely getting better each and every practice,” Hasselbeck said of Burleson. “He is really a guy who is explosive once you get the ball in his hands. I think that will be a priority again for me again this year, to just try to get the ball into his hands.
“I don’t know what you guys think, but to me he looks really good. I’m excited with how he looks.”
The arrival of a new coaching staff that only knows what Burleson can do from two-year-old game films—plus the arrival of rookie third-round draft choice Deon Butler(notes), who has 4.3-second speed in the 40-yard dash and was Penn State’s career leader in catches—have Burleson eager for a return to full duty.
“I want to go out there and prove I can be the guy I was,” he said. “I can’t really take too much time off. There’s only so many days they are going to wait for me.”
RENTON, Wash. (AP)—Nate Burleson(notes) is running pass patterns again, effortlessly, like a gazelle. He’s catching almost every ball thrown near him, as if he were the touchdown leader again.
Heck, he’s even lining up as a scout-team defensive back, giving other Seahawks wide receivers someone to run against during offseason practices.
Hey, did this guy really have reconstructive knee surgery eight months ago?
“I feel like I always have, like I’m the same player,” Seattle’s forgotten game-breaker said with a big grin this week.
He had just finished three days of organized drills on the field with quarterback Matt Hasselbeck(notes), the new coaching staff and every other Seahawks player relieved Burleson is back.
A month ago, Burleson hesitated when asked if he’d be ready for training camp in late July.
Now?
“If they are pushing me out there right now, I guarantee I will be out there for training camp,” he said, chuckling.
Burleson, a seven-year veteran from Seattle’s O’Dea High School by way of the University of Nevada and, until 2006, the Minnesota Vikings, said the week of practices has eased his mind. But he still wasn’t full-go. The Seahawks kept him restricted to position drills. He watched from behind the huddle during team scrimmages.
Then again, they don’t need him joining newly signed T.J. Houshmandzadeh(notes) and Deion Branch(notes), another wide receiver recovering from two knee surgeries in the last 15 months, until the opener against St. Louis. That’s four months away.
“Of course, I’m not going to be 100 percent yet,” Burleson said, wearing a black brace over the knee. “The last couple of days, I’ve got to be honest, there was some doubt in my mind, but right now I don’t feel my knee hurting. This week has proved to me the rehab is working.”
Working as well as Dr. James Andrews has ever seen.
Andrews is the Birmingham, Ala.-based guru of major reconstructive surgeries on professional athletes who recently told Burleson he’s amazed at his recovery. He operated on Burleson’s knee last September, after the 27-year-old tore his anterior cruciate ligament while trying to cut sharply on a rain-slicked, synthetic field in Buffalo during the Seahawks’ season-opening loss.
The injury ruined Burleson’s follow-up to the 2007 season, when he led Seattle with nine touchdown receptions and added another two scores on kick returns. The injury occurred when Burleson appeared to trip over his own feet.
Seattle ended up with six more injuries at wide receiver last season, one of many reasons Hasselbeck was one of the league’s worst passers—until he, too, got hurt—and the Seahawks face-planted to a 4-12 finish. It was their worst season since 1992.
It’s all ancient history to Hasselbeck.
“I don’t know timelines, but he is definitely getting better each and every practice,” Hasselbeck said of Burleson. “He is really a guy who is explosive once you get the ball in his hands. I think that will be a priority again for me again this year, to just try to get the ball into his hands.
“I don’t know what you guys think, but to me he looks really good. I’m excited with how he looks.”
The arrival of a new coaching staff that only knows what Burleson can do from two-year-old game films—plus the arrival of rookie third-round draft choice Deon Butler(notes), who has 4.3-second speed in the 40-yard dash and was Penn State’s career leader in catches—have Burleson eager for a return to full duty.
“I want to go out there and prove I can be the guy I was,” he said. “I can’t really take too much time off. There’s only so many days they are going to wait for me.”
Holmgren on KJR: I plan to go back to workPosted by Eric Williams @ 11:50:15 am
Former Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Holmgren joined KJR’s Dave “Softy” Mahler this morning to talk about his renewed interest in returning to the NFL next year in 2010.
Holmgren said he’s in Salt Lake City babysitting his granddaughter Emma. Holmgren’s daughter Calla, a doctor who lives in Utah, joined his wife Kathy on a relief effort to work in refugee camps in Uganda.
[More:]
On today’s Washington Post report about him returning next season, Holmgren had this to say:
“I plan to go back to work,” Holmgren said. Now, where and in what capacity, that is really, pretty vague. I don’t know. But I know this: I want to do something, that’s pretty much a given. And Kathy knows that. And actually she’s taken the year off, too. And she’s a very active person and she wants to do something. So we’re going to go back to work.
“You know, I’m looking at the hires recently and they’re hiring young coaches, for one thing. And I’m a little bit of a dinosaur. But I’m young at heart. I still think I’m 25. The fact is I’m not going to presume anything, but I am going to be open to just about any possibility.”
And on whether he wants to be a head coach or work in the front office, Holmgren had this to say.
“That’s an interesting question. I think the wear and tear on your body and your mind and your soul are quite different in the two jobs. Not that you don’t care any less, because everyone cares, whether you’re running a franchise or are a general manager as opposed to coaching.
“There’s a tremendous draw to being on the sideline and playing that chess game on Sundays, but also there’s a toll that it takes One of the reasons that I took the year off really is because I found that I wasn’t’ quite as resilent as I used to be after a tough loss, and then you start affecting your team. But that is a tremendous draw for me still.
“The Second part is that I had a little taste of running the team in Seattle for a few years You know, I think I’ve been pretty honest and open about that and I made some mistakes, but we did some good things, too. And if I ever got a chance to do that again I’d be better. I think I ‘d be wiser and I wouldn’t make the same mistakes hopefully. So there’s a very attractive part of that job, too.
“What I am going to be is open. And the job or the place, the city, we’ve kind of pledged to each other – my wife and I – that we’re just going to kind of listen and be open and see if anyone is interested and take it from there.”
Asked what he would have done differently as general manager with Seattle, Holmgren said he would have brought in his own personnel people at the onset, avoiding any disagreements in philosophy he had with leftovers from the previous regime still on staff.
And although he seemed to think it unlikely, Holmgren did not rule out a possible return to the Seahawks
“I would never say never, honest to goodness,” Holmgren said. “That would be kind of a nice thing if I could come back in some capacity and work for the club. But right now they’re pretty well set, and they’re going to have a pretty good season, I know that. The team looks pretty good to me, without having studied it. But at some point, I would never rule that out, no.”
Holmgren said he liked the drafting of linebacker Aaron Curry by the Seahawks, although he thought the Seahawks would have had an interesting decision to make had Kansas City selected Curry at No. 3. He also gave Seahawks management high marks for how they handled the Leroy Hill situation.
Lastly, on quarterback Brett Favre, Holmgren said he actually ran into his former quarterback at Green Bay during a trip with his family to Disney World in Florida, and that Favre at that time said he was not coming back. However, Holmgren also said he wouldn’t be surprised to see Favre surface in Minnesota.
“If he is healthy, and his arm is healthy, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he played one more year in Minnesota,” Holmgren said. “I wouldn’t surprise me at all because I stopped being surprised by him when I was coaching him a long, long time ago. He’s a remarkable guy.
“I don’t think anyone should be upset with him, other than the fact you don’t have to read every story that comes through the pike. Let it happen. If it happens, then get excited or then say something."
-------------------------
one of my favoritest coaches of all time, out of all sports. he's done well for the Seahawks. but done better for the Packers, leading them to a SB win. i wouldn't mind seeing him back on the Seahawk staff, though.
Former Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Holmgren joined KJR’s Dave “Softy” Mahler this morning to talk about his renewed interest in returning to the NFL next year in 2010.
Holmgren said he’s in Salt Lake City babysitting his granddaughter Emma. Holmgren’s daughter Calla, a doctor who lives in Utah, joined his wife Kathy on a relief effort to work in refugee camps in Uganda.
[More:]
On today’s Washington Post report about him returning next season, Holmgren had this to say:
“I plan to go back to work,” Holmgren said. Now, where and in what capacity, that is really, pretty vague. I don’t know. But I know this: I want to do something, that’s pretty much a given. And Kathy knows that. And actually she’s taken the year off, too. And she’s a very active person and she wants to do something. So we’re going to go back to work.
“You know, I’m looking at the hires recently and they’re hiring young coaches, for one thing. And I’m a little bit of a dinosaur. But I’m young at heart. I still think I’m 25. The fact is I’m not going to presume anything, but I am going to be open to just about any possibility.”
And on whether he wants to be a head coach or work in the front office, Holmgren had this to say.
“That’s an interesting question. I think the wear and tear on your body and your mind and your soul are quite different in the two jobs. Not that you don’t care any less, because everyone cares, whether you’re running a franchise or are a general manager as opposed to coaching.
“There’s a tremendous draw to being on the sideline and playing that chess game on Sundays, but also there’s a toll that it takes One of the reasons that I took the year off really is because I found that I wasn’t’ quite as resilent as I used to be after a tough loss, and then you start affecting your team. But that is a tremendous draw for me still.
“The Second part is that I had a little taste of running the team in Seattle for a few years You know, I think I’ve been pretty honest and open about that and I made some mistakes, but we did some good things, too. And if I ever got a chance to do that again I’d be better. I think I ‘d be wiser and I wouldn’t make the same mistakes hopefully. So there’s a very attractive part of that job, too.
“What I am going to be is open. And the job or the place, the city, we’ve kind of pledged to each other – my wife and I – that we’re just going to kind of listen and be open and see if anyone is interested and take it from there.”
Asked what he would have done differently as general manager with Seattle, Holmgren said he would have brought in his own personnel people at the onset, avoiding any disagreements in philosophy he had with leftovers from the previous regime still on staff.
And although he seemed to think it unlikely, Holmgren did not rule out a possible return to the Seahawks
“I would never say never, honest to goodness,” Holmgren said. “That would be kind of a nice thing if I could come back in some capacity and work for the club. But right now they’re pretty well set, and they’re going to have a pretty good season, I know that. The team looks pretty good to me, without having studied it. But at some point, I would never rule that out, no.”
Holmgren said he liked the drafting of linebacker Aaron Curry by the Seahawks, although he thought the Seahawks would have had an interesting decision to make had Kansas City selected Curry at No. 3. He also gave Seahawks management high marks for how they handled the Leroy Hill situation.
Lastly, on quarterback Brett Favre, Holmgren said he actually ran into his former quarterback at Green Bay during a trip with his family to Disney World in Florida, and that Favre at that time said he was not coming back. However, Holmgren also said he wouldn’t be surprised to see Favre surface in Minnesota.
“If he is healthy, and his arm is healthy, it wouldn’t surprise me at all if he played one more year in Minnesota,” Holmgren said. “I wouldn’t surprise me at all because I stopped being surprised by him when I was coaching him a long, long time ago. He’s a remarkable guy.
“I don’t think anyone should be upset with him, other than the fact you don’t have to read every story that comes through the pike. Let it happen. If it happens, then get excited or then say something."
-------------------------
one of my favoritest coaches of all time, out of all sports. he's done well for the Seahawks. but done better for the Packers, leading them to a SB win. i wouldn't mind seeing him back on the Seahawk staff, though.