Engram skipped the team's last
mini-camp because he is upset over a contract that will pay him $1.7 million,
half of what two other receivers are making, despite setting the franchise record
for receptions last season.
Also absent for at least the first day of the mini-camp will be defensive tackle
Rocky Bernard, who has a pre-trial hearing on his domestic violence arrest for
allegedly punching his ex-girlfriend in the forehead during Bernard's birthday
party.
Though Engram is not likely to attend, it will give more opportunities to a young
wide receiver group that needs as much time as it can get.
It also will be the first chance for the coaching staff to take a look at Chas Gessner, who it signed to a two-year contract shortly after the last mini-camp.
Gessner could add size and speed to a corps that is lacking one player who can
stretch the field.
While the defense is in many ways set, the offense still is trying to evaluate
its running game, both in the backfield and along the offensive line, where two
new line coaches, Mike Solari and Mike DeBord, are attempting to get acquainted
with their players.
"I think the big thing we are excited about here are the athleticism of the
offensive linemen here," said Solari, former offensive coordinator for the
Kansas City Chiefs. "It's a group that can move and can space and do some
nice things. So we are just trying to develop some technique, consistency and
being able to perform as a unit."
The offense also is trying to figure out how to use a whole new set of running
backs that include Julius Jones, T.J. Duckett and Owen Schmitt, as well as Maurice Morris and Leonard Weaver.
In the last mini-camp, Jones ended up getting the bulk of the carries with the
first team, while Duckett at times appeared either slow or lethargic.
Though they paid Duckett a handsome signing bonus, they have yet to figure out
how they are going to use the 254-pound back. NOTES, QUOTES
--DT Rocky Bernard will have a pretrial hearing on his domestic violence assault
case on June 2.
--LB Lofa Tatupu, arrested for DUI on April 21, still has not been charged by
the Kirkland Prosecutor's Office.
--While the owners of the Seattle SuperSonics conducted a survey that says only
26 percent of Puget Sound residents would be unhappy if the team left town for
Oklahoma City, the same survey said that 57 percent of residents are pleased
with the Seahawks.
--CB Marcus Trufant just recently purchased a $2.96 million home near the team's
new practice facility. Per the seller, Trufant also received a Mercedes Class
C-300 for closing on the house before May 30.
--Former Seahawks RB Shaun Alexander, released a month ago, still has not found
a team. Denver had an interest but signed Michael Pittman instead.
--QB Matt Hasselbeck and his two daughters will headline an NFL promotion that
asks fans to submit photos of their fathers in NFL Gear.
QUOTE TO NOTE: "Any time anybody in our family gets in trouble or gets
arrested, it feels like a punch in the gut. We are a team of character, and
we will always be a team of character. We're never going to be 100 percent,
but that's our goal." -- Seahawks general manager Tim Ruskell on Lofa Tatupu,
who was arrested for DUI.
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