Seahawks’ Engram decides not to hold out

Published 3:48 pm Friday, July 25, 2008

After initially considering the possibility of skipping part of training camp, Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Bobby Engram was happy to be at practice Friday morning.

“Feels great,” he said. “This is where I belong.”

Engram sat out all of the non-mandatory minicamp sessions during the offseason because of a contract dispute. He was miffed over a contract that will pay him $1.5 million this season — about half of what fellow Seahawks receivers Deion Branch and Nate Burleson will make despite Engram’s superior statistics.

Engram was mulling over the possibility of a camp holdout, but he eventually decided to report.

“It is important to start right,” he said, “start on the right foot with my teammates, start getting my mind set to have a great year.”

Last season, Engram set a franchise record with 94 receptions. He is in the final year of a three-year contract.

The only player not in attendance at Friday’s first practice was rookie tight end John Carlson, who remains unsigned. First-round pick Lawrence Jackson, a defensive end from USC, signed a contract before taking the field Friday morning.

Among the players who did not participate because of injury were wide receiver Deion Branch (knee), defensive tackle Marcus Tubbs (knee), linebacker Will Herring (muscle tightness) and punter Ryan Plackemeier (pectoral). Several other Seahawks — including left tackle Walter Jones, defensive end Patrick Kerney and center Chris Spencer — saw limited participation as they ease back from offseason surgeries.

For more on Engram’s return, and full coverage of Seahawks training camp, read Saturday’s edition of The Herald.