Rookies no more

Published 11:25 pm Tuesday, August 14, 2007

KIRKLAND – They arrived with the eagerness that comes from joining a Super Bowl caliber team, only to find out soon enough that it’s not easy to play for a Super Bowl caliber team.

For several members of the Seattle Seahawks’ 2006 draft class, the NFL was more about watching and waiting after that Super Bowl year. But defensive end Darryl Tapp and wide receiver Ben Obomanu are doing everything they can to change that in ‘07.

While other members of their draft class went on to make immediate impacts [—] cornerback Kelly Jennings and guard Rob Sims became starters, and Ryan Plackemeier was one of the top punters in the NFL [—] Tapp and Obomanu had to wait their turn.

Now, after a strong training camp and eye-opening performances in Sunday’s preseason opener, Tapp and Obomanu look ready to make an impact.

“Year 1 is under my belt,” Tapp said. “Now I know what it’s like to be a professional and what it’s like to have to go out there every day and perform.”

Tapp admits that his rookie season wasn’t always about performance. Even at practices, he often felt overwhelmed. But the opportunities were limited no matter how much he pushed for playing time.

“It seemed like a lot of things were already set,” said Tapp, a second-round draft pick who couldn’t beat out veterans Bryce Fisher or Grant Wistrom for a starting spot. “You had to try to work your way into it. I guess it’s still the same this year, but that Super Bowl made it difficult for the young guys to get in.”

Obomanu felt a similar sense of hopelessness. The seventh-round pick from Auburn joined a team that already had three established veterans in Darrell Jackson, Bobby Engram and newcomer Nate Burleson, and his chances of playing time were further diminished by the September addition of Deion Branch and the emergence of D.J. Hackett.

“I felt pretty good last year, but I wasn’t working with the first team like I am this year,” Obomanu said. “At the same time, I feel more comfortable (in the offense) this year.”

Several other young Seahawks appear ready to contribute as well.

Coach Mike Holmgren has already said that Leonard Weaver will take some of starter Mack Strong’s snaps at fullback so that the 35-year old won’t wear down. Offensive lineman Ray Willis is pushing Chris Gray and Sean Locklear for a starting spot on the right side, but Holmgren said Tuesday that the veterans are holding him off.

“It’s kind of settling into where we left off last year,” Holmgren said. “But Ray Willis has had a good camp.”

Then there is tight end Leonard Stephens, who might not be young by NFL standards (he turned 29 in July) but is a baby in terms of playing time (all five of his career games came with the Washington Redskins in 2002). Stephens has the inside track on the third roster spot at tight end, although a recent ankle injury currently leaves him on the sidelines.

But the two who made the best showing in Sunday’s win over San Diego were Tapp and Obomanu.

Tapp had two sacks, both of which came on inside moves.

“He had a good game (Sunday) night, so you’ll see more of him,” Holmgren said Tuesday.

Tapp had just three sacks during his entire 2006 season, then spent most of the summer overhauling a repertoire of college moves that didn’t work as an NFL rookie.

While sitting and waiting weren’t his rookie goals, he now sees the benefits of being on a veteran team.

“It was a blessing and a curse,” he said. “I was able to sit and watch Grant Wistrom and Bryce Fisher and the rest of the guys get out there and show me what it’s like at this level.

“I’ve been taking steps to move into that role, and hopefully I can get there this year.”

Obomanu worked with veteran Bobby Engram this summer, mostly in the film room in an effort to learn the psychological parts of the position.

With a game-high five receptions, including a one-handed touchdown catch, Obomanu showed in Sunday’s game that he’s ready to contribute.

“You always want to make sure the coaches and management remember you,” Obomanu said Tuesday. “I think I did a great job of making sure I put myself out there so that when they make the decision, my name comes up as a candidate.”

Hackett, a likely starter whose early career included a watch-and-wait period much like Obomanu’s, said the performance was no surprise.

“We see him every day making plays,” Hackett said, “so it was nothing new.”

Players like Hackett, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, fullback Mack Strong and defensive tackle Rocky Bernard have proven that patience can be a virtue in the NFL. Not every player bursts onto the scene as a rookie, so some simply wait their turn.

“You’d like to be able to have the depth to do it that way,” receivers coach Nolan Cromwell said. “Anytime someone’s thrown in there prematurely, sometimes there are some growing pains.”

If Tapp and Obomanu keep performing, those pains might be a thing of the past.