Everett, Wash.
Published: Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Former Tigers shine for Seahawks

Three players from the Auburn Tigers 2002 recruiting class had strong showings in Saturday's preseason game.

By Scott M. Johnson
Herald Writer

 KIRKLAND — When the 2002 recruiting class at Auburn University was unveiled, the Tigers coaching staff probably thought it had a few players who would one day be in an NFL camp.

Just not the same NFL camp.

Four players from that recruiting class are currently with the Seattle Seahawks, and three of them made good impressions in Saturday's preseason win against Minnesota.

"Coach (Mike) Holmgren is always telling us: 'Make it tough on me,'" cornerback Kevin Hobbs said, referring to the cuts that come as the team pares down to a 53-man roster. "I feel like we did a pretty good job of making it tough on him Saturday."

Two of the current Seahawks who were in the same Auburn recruiting class — Hobbs and wide receiver Ben Obomanu are in their second Seattle training camp, while linebacker Will Herring and wide receiver Courtney Taylor joined the Seahawks as members of the 2007 NFL draft class — made huge plays in the final 15:13 of Saturday's game.

Obomanu caught a 57-yard touchdown pass from backup quarterback Seneca Wallace with 13 seconds left in the third quarter, and Hobbs returned an interception 39 yards for a touchdown 67 seconds later.

Herring added an interception of his own with three minutes left in the game to thwart a Vikings drive in the end zone.

"Just to be at the highest level with guys you're really close with, that feels really good," Hobbs said. "I hope that they all do the best, and I know they all feel the same for me. It felt real good to see us all do well."

It was also nice to one-up current teammate and University of Alabama product Shaun Alexander, who also scored a touchdown in Saturday's 30-13 win.

"He said he was kind of jealous because Auburn had two touchdowns and Alabama had only one," Hobbs said with a big grin. "We all know Auburn rules Alabama."

Seahawks make cuts: The Seahawks returned to the practice field with fewer bodies on Monday afternoon.

While an official announcement on the 12 cuts was not expected until today, there were 11 players who were not at practice that are expected to be among those released.

Among the players who are likely to be released today, offensive lineman Austin King was the only player with much NFL experience. Also not in attendance Monday were kicker Kurt Smith, running back A.J. Harris, tight end Andy Stokes, linebacker Marcus Rucker, safety Patrick Ghee, offensive linemen Jason Murphy and Jonathan Alston and wide receivers Robert Ortiz and Chris Jones.

The 12th player to be cut was likely among the players who attended practice.

The Seahawks have to get down to 75 players by this afternoon, and they'll shed another 22 bodies by Saturday.

"That's when you have names on there that people know," Holmgren said.

Injury update: Also not practicing Monday were four veteran starters with minor injuries. Cornerback Kelly Jennings (leg) and defensive tackle Chartric Darby (undisclosed) rested injuries suffered in Saturday's preseason game, while linebacker Julian Peterson (knee) and left tackle Walter Jones (shoulder) continued to be sidelined by soreness.

Peterson, Jennings and Jones probably won't play in Thursday's preseason finale, but Holmgren expects them to be back at practice next week. The regular-season opener is a week from Sunday against Tampa Bay.

Quick slants: When asked about playing time for Thursday's game against the Oakland Raiders, Holmgren would not get into specifics. "I'm kind of keeping everyone in the dark," he said. ¿ With a victory Thursday, the Seahawks (2-1) would post just their second winning record in the preseason since 1998.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA