Seahawks’ Walter Jones likes camp?

Published 11:57 pm Sunday, July 27, 2008

KIRKLAND — Known for his footwork but not his verbosity, Seattle Seahawks left tackle Walter Jones showed up for training camp late last week with a startling admission.

“I like camp,” he said.

Huh?

This from the man who skipped every training camp between 2001 and 2004? The only mortal who could wake up from a six-month nap and still keep Dwight Freeney at arm’s length?

Do tell.

“Being on the sideline is a tough situation,” Jones explained after Saturday’s morning practice. “It’s hard to be out here banging around every day, but it’s a better feeling being tired with those guys than sitting on the sideline watching.”

Jones has gotten to a point in his career where he really doesn’t need the extra work. He’s also reached a juncture — at 34 years old — when he could probably use all the rest he can get. Jones has undergone shoulder surgery for the second offseason in a row, and the coaching staff has been careful not to give him too much practice time during the first week of camp.

But Seattle’s Pro Bowl lineman doesn’t want to be on any LaDainian Tomlinson-like programs when the preseason games begin in 11 days.

“I would rather be in those games,” Jones said when asked if he preferred to get the Tomlinson treatment by being held out of the entire preseason schedule. “But the coaches and the training staff make those decisions. I just abide by them. If they ask me to play, I’ll play.”

Coach Mike Holmgren and offensive coordinator Gil Haskell were both adamant that Jones will see playing time when the preseason games begin. Haskell went as far as to say that Jones will be treated no different than most of his fellow starters, while Holmgren said the team has to be cautious but realistic.

“If you start thinking too much about that stuff, bad things happen,” the Seahawks’ head coach said. “They’re going to have to play (eventually). So if you start thinking too much about the injury factor and not enough about the football, you usually get hurt.

“I don’t know how we’ll do it with Walt yet. Just like always, we’ll take it a game at a time and see where we are.”

Teammate Sean Locklear is among those who have seen first-hand evidence that Jones doesn’t need much practice.

“I remember my rookie year (in 2004), he showed up on a Wednesday and started a (regular-season) game that Sunday. I’ll never forget it,” Locklear said. “Does he need (training camp)? Honestly, no. But can it help him? Yes. It gets us all used to playing together.”

Part of the decision regarding Jones’s participation this time of year involves his teammates. The player most qualified to fill in at left tackle is Locklear, who could be his eventual replacement. But Locklear is the Seahawks’ starting right tackle, so the coaches would like to see him spend most of camp on that side.

The other options are Floyd Womack and Ray Willis, both of whom have battled injuries throughout their careers.

For the past three training camps, including this year, Jones has been on a practice-on, practice-off schedule in which he typically takes part in only one practice per day. He sat out all of the 2008 summer minicamps following his latest shoulder surgery and has been eased into action at training camp.

“I feel great,” he said when asked about his overall health over the weekend. “Coming off another shoulder surgery, I feel pretty good. It’s one of those things that happen, and hopefully you feel good when it’s time to play.”

Haskell, the team’s offensive coordinator, admitted that Jones probably doesn’t need a whole lot of preseason work to be ready for the season. He added that, despite Jones’s age and recent history of shoulder problems, the left tackle is still one of the game’s best.

“Every team in the league would trade for him right now,” Haskell said. “He takes away the defensive end. I don’t give a (rip) who’s playing out there, he takes him out. He’s for real.”

Jones went several seasons without giving up a single sack, but in recent campaigns he has allowed a handful a year. That’s still better than most left tackles.

“The thing that’s hard about playing the game is that people (outside the team) don’t know when you’re hurt,” quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said in explaining Jones’s recent display of mortality. “So your 65 percent is better than most people’s 100 percent.

“I would say that about Walt. He’s anywhere up over 65 percent, (and) he’s the best in the business, in my opinion.”

Keeping Jones above 65 percent might mean treating him with kid gloves during the preseason. So maybe the Seahawks will let the future Hall of Famer take some more time off.

“He’s shown he can be the best in the business doing that,” Hasselbeck said. “But it is nice to have him around.”