Stanback unveiled: Former Husky quarterback Isaiah Stanback was out running pass routes and catching balls for the first time as a Seattle Seahawk and, in fact, hauled in the last toss of the day's workout on about a 20-yard shot over the middle.
Stanback, wearing No. 14, was his usual buoyant self and sounded eager to see what he can do back in his hometown.
"Yeah, I used to watch (the Seahawks) a little back in the day," the Garfield High grad said with a broad grin. "To be home, it's still kind of surreal. I'm just getting back in the groove and into the playbook, studying hard. These are long nights right now."
While Stanback is working strictly as wide receiver, as he has over the previous three years with the Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots, coach Pete Carroll sounded as if he could be looked at as an emergency-type QB as well.
Stanback says USC came after him harder than any team when he was coming out of high school and he's known Carroll since those prep days.
"Isaiah is a kid that we recruited hard and had him in our camps and coached against him for years," Carroll said. "I've had great respect for his ability, his all-around athleticism. He has terrific speed and explosion.
"He can offer some help to do some things if we needed it at the quarterback spot to salvage a few situations possibly. I haven't seen him play much in the last couple years, but I'm anxious to see what he offers us. He's a unique player."
Is Leroy Hill losing his place?: David Hawthorne, who filled in well for the injured Lofa Tatupu at middle linebacker last season, continues working in Leroy Hill's outside spot this offseason and the Seahawks seem prepared to move on if necessary.
Hill has a pre-trial hearing Friday in Issaquah Municipal Court regarding the domestic assault charges involving an incident with his girlfriend. Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.com has reported that Hill's $6 million guaranteed contract could be voided if he is suspended by the league.
Hill was absent again Tuesday as he continues to be asked to stay away from offseason workouts.
Asked if there was anything new there, Carroll said: "No, not yet, but we are getting closer to understanding what the situation is. We will know more about that pretty soon."
And, yes, Carroll said it does matter that the five-year veteran is missing the OTAs and minicamps this spring.
"If that didn't matter then why would you practice, you know?" Carroll said. "Practice is hugely important. There's a new system. There's a whole new approach to how we're doing things. It's certainly hindered his opportunity without question.
"The other guys have just rocketed ahead with their chances and taken advantage of that. That's just part of the competition. You do what you can with your opportunities. So he is going to have to battle back if we can get him back out here. We'll see when the time comes."
Big man in middle: Kevin Vickerson, the "other guy" obtained in the LenDale White trade from Tennessee, did some running on the side as he attempts to recover from a groin injury that has slowed him since his arrival.
Vickerson, a four-year veteran listed at 6-5, 321 pounds, clearly isn't in prime physical shape yet. But he is being looked at as a potential backup to Colin Cole and Brandon Mebane at defensive tackle, a position that could be more needed if Red Bryant works out on the outside.
Bryant, by the way, continues looking very mobile and engaged at defensive end, an interesting prospect for the 6-4, 323-pounder out of Texas A&M.
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