<< Previous   of   Next >> Jennifer Buchanan / The Herald  (click to enlarge) Coach Mike Holmgren talks to the team during the first day of minicamp.

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SEAHAWKS NOTEBOOK: Bernard, seven other vets not in camp on first day

By Scott M. Johnson
Herald Writer

KIRKLAND -- While Rocky Bernard was nowhere to be found at the first Seattle Seahawks minicamp, coach Mike Holmgren said that he still has big plans for his starting defensive tackle.

Bernard's absence was not about his ongoing legal case, Holmgren said, but because of a problematic left foot that recently underwent surgery.

"It's not a long thing," Holmgren said of Bernard's recovery time. "Three or four weeks, maybe."

Holmgren added that Bernard's legal case is unlikely to affect his playing status. Bernard was arrested last month following an incident with an ex-girlfriend who is also the mother of his child. According to the police report, the victim accused Bernard of striking her with a closed fist during an argument.

Bernard's pre-trial hearing is scheduled for June 2.

"It's a little like the things that have happened in the past," Holmgren said, comparing it to a 2006 domestic-violence case against Sean Locklear that eventually led to a one-game suspension. "Let it run its course, and I think when it's all done, people will go: 'Oh.'

"Rocky's a good football player, and I want him to get well physically."

Bernard was one of eight veterans who did not participate in Friday's practices because of offseason surgery. Holmgren said that tackle Walter Jones (shoulder), defensive end Patrick Kerney (shoulder), center Chris Spencer (shoulder), safety Mike Green (foot) and linebacker Will Herring (knee) are expected to be ready for the regular season following offseason surgeries. The diagnosis on defensive tackle Marcus Tubbs (knee) is less clear -- he had his knee scoped last month after undergoing knee surgery last fall -- while wide receiver Deion Branch (knee) could miss all of camp and part of the regular season.

Music man: Defensive tackle Craig Terrill enters the 2008 season with an extra job title, that of recording artist.

Terrill, who sang and played guitar in a cover band known as The Strangers while at Purdue University, put out his first solo album in December. The album, "CT," was self-distributed and is available at local QFC grocery stores. He said more than 3,000 copies already have been sold.

"I've been pretty happy with it," Terrill said.

He has a live show scheduled for May 12 at the Triple Door in downtown Seattle. While football is still Terrill's main focus, he wouldn't mind making a second career in music one day.

"I've always played guitar, and it's always been a favorite hobby of mine," Terrill said. "So if it became a career, it would be a second dream-come-true."

Happy camper: Punter Ryan Plackemeier couldn't hide his excitement during the first day of the Seahawks' minicamp.

As a punter and the guy who holds for field goals and extra points, Plackemeier depends on good snappers. And he believes the Seahawks have found one.

"You know where the ball's going to be," Plackemeier said after his first day working with sixth-round draft pick Tyler Schmitt, a long snapper from San Diego State. "The guys last year, they came in and worked hard in the time they had. But for (Schmitt) being a young guy, I was impressed."

Plackemeier added that there is still plenty of work to do.

"You saw last year how much of a rhythm you have to get into, so we've just got to develop that rhythm," he said. "We've got plenty of time to do it, which is nice. Last year, you had a week to do it: 'You've got a week, go find a rhythm.' Right now, we're miles ahead of where we were last year."

Like father, like son-in-law: Rookie defensive lineman Red Bryant wears jersey No. 79, the same number worn by his future father-in-law. Jacob Green, whose daughter Janelle has a February 2009 wedding date with Bryant, played for the Seahawks from 1980 to 1991 and it currently in the Ring of Honor.

Quote machine: Holmgren was asked after Friday's practice whether new guard Mike Wahle caught his eye.

"He caught my eye 12 years ago," Holmgren said, "when I drafted him."

Actually, it's just been 10 years. Holmgren was coaching in Green Bay when the Packers selected Wahle in the second round of the 1998 supplemental draft.

Where's 37? Most of the team's jersey numbers were in use on Friday, but one number that wasn't given out was No. 37. That of course belonged to Shaun Alexander, the team's all-time leading rusher who was released last month.

Quick slants: Just before the start of the camp, the Seahawks re-signed offensive lineman Floyd Womack to a one-year contract. Womack, who was a free agent, was working in place of Jones as the No. 1 left tackle Friday. … The Seahawks are giving tryouts to six players during the camp, including University of Washington receiver Corey Williams and Eastern Washington University offensive linemen Matt Alfred (from Gig Harbor) and Zach Wasielewski (from Seattle).