Sports

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Report scores and results to 425-339-3470 or 1-866-6-SCORES (Call after 4:30 p.m.) E-mail information including items for Tuesday's Communities Sports Roundup and Thursday's Outdoor Calendar, to sports@heraldnet.com Kevin Brown, Sports Editor kbrown@heraldnet.com   Published: Thursday, September 11, 2008 Suspensions over, Bernard, Babineaux return By Scott M. Johnson Herald Writer RENTON -- There are much worse places to be than sitting at home on a couch, but for two Seattle Seahawks, the Sunday inactivity was as painful as a cut block. Defensive tackle Rocky Bernard and defensive back Jordan Babineaux were back on the practice field Wednesday, marking the first time they've worked with their teammates since the NFL handed them one-game suspensions. "It was good to be back out there with my teammates," said Bernard, who served a one-game suspension after violating the NFL's policy on personal conduct. The hardest part of the time away, both players said, was watching Sunday's 34-10 loss to the Buffalo Bills. "It was painful to watch," Babineaux said. "I was wishing I could be there. I'm not saying I would have affected the outcome, but it felt bad watching." Babineaux was suspended last week because of an undisclosed violation of the league's policy on substance abuse. While Babineaux refused to comment on the specifics of the violation, he said that he has learned from his suspension. "The league has been just in their punishments," he said. "It's a learning experience for me, and I'm excited to move on." Bernard's suspension stemmed from an April incident that involved an ex-girlfriend who accused him of hitting her with a closed fist. Bernard settled the case in a Seattle courtroom, opting for a two-year continuance that will lead to the charges being dropped if he complies to a set of stipulations over the next 24 months. Coach Mike Holmgren said that Bernard will return to the starting lineup for this week's game against the San Francisco 49ers after Craig Terrill filled in for him Sunday. Bernard watched that game on television at his Seattle-area home. "It was kind of weird," he said on Wednesday. "Even if you're hurt, you go on the road trip and stand on the sideline. (Watching from home,) you always feel like you could do something to help your team." Engram exercising patience: While wide receivers drop around him, Engram is resisting the urge to hurry back from a shoulder injury. Engram is still targeting Week 5 for his return. "It's been tough," he said. "But patience is the key word right now; it is a virtue. I'm walking that fine line: 'Are you OK to come back? Is it a week too soon? Should we wait a week?' "But I'm right on schedule. You just have to be smart." Stifled at Qwest: Since 2004, the 49ers have averaged just 6.8 points per game in four visits to Qwest Field. The Seahawks have shut them out twice in that span and held them without a touchdown three times. San Francisco's most productive offensive performance came in a 24-14 win over the Seahawks in 2006. The other three games since 2004 saw the 49ers get outscored 99-3. Seattle blew out the Niners 24-0 in last year's game at Qwest. Familiar face: San Francisco's new offensive coordinator is no stranger to Qwest Field. Mike Martz spent a good part of his career matching wits with the Seahawks coaching staff while serving as head coach of the St. Louis Rams. Holmgren and Martz have developed a close friendship over the years, and their familiarity with each other goes back to the early 1970s, when both of them coached small-college football in California. "We're competitive that way," Holmgren said, "as you would be with a friend." Martz has developed a reputation for being unpredictable, and the Seahawks know that he'll live up to that tag on Sunday. "You can't really put your finger on what he's going to do," veteran cornerback Marcus Trufant said. "Expect the unexpected." Kent returns: One day after getting cut, receiver Jordan Kent was back on the field as a new member of the Seahawks' practice squad. "Obviously, it was a surprise," he said, "but at the same time, it's something you can't control. You just roll with the decision and try to make the best of the opportunity given to you. "That opportunity is the practice squad, so I'll just keep working hard and try to keep improving." Kent said he had offers to join other teams' practice squads, but no one was willing to add him to the active roster. As a part of the eight-man practice squad, Kent will practice with the team but is ineligible to play in games. Kent and rookie running back Justin Forsett were two of the Seahawks' preseason stars, but both got cut on Tuesday. "The only thing I'd say there," Holmgren said, "is that the preseason is the preseason. It's different." More moves to come? While the Seahawks have already made 11 roster moves this week, more might be on the way. "Everyone stay on your toes," Holmgren said when asked why the team still has two kickers. "That's the best way to put that. There's a chance we're not finished making moves this week." Veteran Olindo Mare has been handling all the kicking duties this week, but rookie Brandon Coutu is still on the active roster. Quick slants: Holmgren said that he was not against re-signing former Seahawks receiver Koren Robinson, who is out of the league after several league suspensions and a battle with substance abuse. But the front office decided that Billy McMullen and Samie Parker were better fits. … Right tackle Sean Locklear is expected to miss his second consecutive game Sunday because of a knee injury, but Holmgren expects him back next week. Ray Willis is filling in at right tackle until Locklear returns. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

1. Emory’s owner fears fire was arson 2. Monroe honking case makes it to state Supreme Court 3. Vatican ponders the souls in space 4. 81 veterans' names, 81 meaningful lives honored in Snohomish 5. Hope dims that Olympics will boost region 6. Student hit in crosswalk to return 7. Smokey Point to celebrate end of roadwork 8. Death on Edmonds waterfront ruled a suicide 9. Help for young moms may continue 10. Semifinal slate sealed on ‘Dancing With Stars’ 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Bazaar Fever • Hawks proud of historic season • Olson always put Edmonds first • Honoring student veterans • ‘Wheedle' author comes to Lynnwood bookshop • Mavs build early lead en route to easy win • Prep football games of the week (state playoffs) • Tears of laughter, tears of grief • Death on Edmonds beach likely a suicide • Boeing will build, flight test and deliver 787s in South Carolina to spe ... • Snohomish County EDC promoting job growth in key industry clusters • $4 million grant to advance brain tumor research has Everett links • Providence medical center construction tops off its 12-story steel frame ... • Tulalip affordable housing project to be financed by KeyBank, Raymond Ja ... • Arlington's Lak of Ink has a growing following for Luke Kooyman's creati ... • Bank of the Northwest formed • Cascade Bank earns $1.6 million