A view from Hawks first practice

Published on July 28, 2011 by Tacoma News Tribune (Feed)     

The first practice for the Seattle Seahawks Thursday morning was scheduled to go 45 minutes. It went 1:45. Players wore shorts and jerseys with no helmets.

A quick look at them on the hoof showed guys who looked in good condition. I wondered specifically about receiver Mike Williams and back Marshawn Lynch. Both looked lean and fit. Red Bryant is back in action and looks even bigger, but he seems at full strength/speed. Deon Butler (broken leg last season) was not out there. Colin Cole (ankle), Roy Lewis (knee) and Cameron Morrah (turf toe) were on the field and dressed but not participating.

Unsigned rookies and newly minted free agents were not there, so no Tarvaris Jackson.

Charlie Whitehurst handled the quarterback work. “It’s an opportunity for me and I’m gonna attack it. I want to be the starting quarterback here,” Whitehurst said. He said coordinator Darrell Bevell’s scheme is definitely different. He said he had some contact with former quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, thanking him for all his help, and wishing him well. The biggest thing he learned from Hasselbeck? “Professionalism,” he said.

The most impressive play might have been a pass from Whitehurst to Mike Williams. Williams went high and pulled down the ball over Earl Thomas and Marcus Trufant.

A guy who looked in mid-season form was punter Jon Ryan, who was booming a series of 60 yarders on an adjacent field.

When told that Hasselbeck’s departure meant he was the longest “surviving” Seahawk, Trufant answered: “Shhhhhhhh.”

Another guy back in action off an injury was receiver Isaiah Stanback, who made several nice catches.

Tags: Broken Leg, Cameron Morrah, Charlie Whitehurst, Colin Cole, Darrell Bevell, Earl Thomas, free agents, Full Strength, Isaiah Stanback, Lewis Knee, Marcus Trufant, Marshawn Lynch, Matt Hasselbeck, Punter, Roy Lewis, Seahawk, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS, Tarvaris Jackson, Thursday Morning, Turf Toe, Yarders