Here’s some notes and quotes from Monday’s press conferences with Seahawks coach Pete Carroll and new running back Fred Jackson, who officially signed with Seattle on Monday:
– Monday was Jackson’s first practice with the team. The 34-year-old, who spent the past eight seasons with the Buffalo Bills before being released last week, said joining a winning team like Seattle was the No. 1 reason why he signed with the Seahawks. He said he had contact with other teams in the week between when he had a physical in Seattle and officially signed. But Seattle was the place he wanted to be.
– Jackson said Marshawn Lynch played a big role in his being in Seattle. Jackson and Lynch are good friends dating back to when they were teammates with the Buffalo Bills from 2007-10. Lynch was the first one to call Jackson when Jackson was released, telling Jackson Seattle was a great environment, and Jackson asked Lynch to put in a good word with the Seahawks brass.
– When asked what he will bring to the team, Jackson emphasized his abilities as a pass protector and receiver out of the backfield, suggesting he may be valuable as a third-down back. Carroll wasn’t tipping his hand on whether that’s how Jackson will be used.
– Carroll said Jackson has already picked up the offense and will definitely play in Sunday’s opener at St. Louis.
– Jackson quote of the day, part 1 (on Lynch, to laughter from the crowd): “He’ll be at my house playing with my kids and I’ll treat him just like he’s one of them.
“He’s a big kid, we all know that.”
– Jackson quote of the day, part 2 (on joining a winner after years of futility in Buffalo): “When you get up there in years in your career and you haven’t won or been in a playoff game — Richard Sherman joked with me, ‘Have you actually played in the playoffs?’ We haven’t all been that fortunate.”
In non-Jackson-related news:
– Carroll confirmed that other teams have called inquiring about the availability of Pro Bowl safety Kam Chancellor, whose holdout reached 39 days. Carroll said the team isn’t interested in talking to other teams right now about Chancellor, but that there is nothing new with regards to Chancellor’s holdout.
– The players voted in their captains for the 2015 season. Quarterback Russell Wilson is the offensive captain, linebacker Bobby Wagner is the defensive captain and punter Jon Ryan is the special teams captain. Wilson and Ryan are repeat captains, while Wagner takes Chancellor’s place as the defensive captain.
– In injury news, Carroll confirmed that starting free safety Earl Thomas should be ready to go for Sunday’s season opener. Thomas didn’t play during the preseason as he completed his recovery from offseason shoulder surgery. Carroll was also optimistic back-up quarterback Tavaris Jackson (ankle) would be ready. Tight end Cooper Helfet (ankle) might be able to get back for Sunday, while linebacker Mike Morgan (hamstring) is unlikely to play.
– Carroll said he wasn’t sure whether new safety Kelcie McCray, acquired via trade from Kansas City on Saturday, would be up to speed in time to play Sunday. McCray was lauded for his special teams play, and Carroll said McCray is capable of playing both strong and free safety.
– After announcing the first seven signings Sunday, the Seahawks rounded out their initial practice squad Monday by announcing the signings of three players who were released by other teams. Cornerbacks Justin Coleman (rookie free agent from Tennessee, released by New England) and Kevin Short (rookie free agent from Fort Scott CC, released by Kansas City) were already rumored to be heading to Seattle on Sunday. On Monday defensive end Robert Thomas (rookie free agent from Arkansas, released by Washington) filled the 10th and final spot on the practice squad.
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