A recap of the Seahawks’ Wednesday practice:
PLAYER OF THE DAY
Edgerrin James. With apologies to linebacker Leroy Hill, wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh and every member of the No. 1 defensive line, the edge goes to, well, Edge.
The NFL’s leading rusher among active players practiced with the team for the first time, after signing a one-year contract Tuesday night. James was very limited, as you might imagine, but it was the first step toward becoming the complementary back to starter Julius Jones.
“I’m not here to compete with Julius,” James said. “I’m here to complement him and for us to work together. I just want to win.”\
James watched most of the full-team drills, and asked a lot of questions of Jones and running backs coach Kasey Dunn. But when he did get his chance, James displayed the one-step-and-go style that is needed to play in the new zone-blocking scheme being installed. It’s the same system he played in during his days with the Indianapolis Colts
“I love the scheme,” he said. “Hopefully I can pick it up real well.”
Coach Jim Mora said the decision on whether James will play Saturday night against the Chiefs in Kansas City probably won’t be made until Saturday.
James might be wearing a new uniform, but he’s got the same old number: 32. Cornerback Kevin Hobbs, who had been wearing 32, is now 38.
Hobbs said he relinquished the number out of respect for everything James has accomplished in his career.
“I’m just a little guy, showing some respect to a veteran,” Hobbs said.
But James said Hobbs will be rewarded for the magnanimous gesture.
PLAY OF THE DAY
The final play. Cornerback Kelly Jennings got a hand on Seneca Wallace’s pass into the end zone that was intended for wide receiver Logan Payne – as both Jennings and Payne were tumbling to the turf. But Payne somehow came up with the carom for the touchdown.
POSITION WATCH
Defensive line. As already mentioned, Dan Quinn’s crew was getting after it in the full-pads practiced that lasted almost 2½ hours. The team’s first-year line coach challenged his players after they did not practice as well as he thought they should have Tuesday.
The players obviously got the message.
During a four-play sequence in a run drill, middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu flashed through a gap provided by tackles Colin Cole and Brandon Mebane to make a big thump on running back Devin Moore; end Cory Redding was on Moore before he could get to the hole; Hill used another lane created by Cole and Mebane to get into the backfield and grab Moore from behind; and Mebane stuffed Moore before he could get into the hole.
STAT DU JOUR
James has eight 100-yard rushing performances in the past three seasons, and three came against the Seahawks – 100 yards in the regular-season finale last year, 128 in 2007 and 115 in 2006.
ROLL CALL
Middle linebacker David Hawthorne, who sprained his left knee in Saturday night’s game against the Broncos, did not practice. But coach Jim Mora said Hawthorne could be able to play this week against the Chiefs. Cornerback Travis Fisher, who pulled a hamstring in the Denver game, also was out. But he will not play this week.
Also out for this week are left tackle Walter Jones (knee), cornerback Marcus Trufant (back) and center Chris Spencer (thigh).
