Seahawks dump LenDale White
Published 3:49 pm Friday, May 28, 2010
RENTON — LenDale White’s reunion with Pete Carroll, his former college coach, is over before it every really began.
White, who the Seahawks acquired in a draft-day trade with the Tennessee Titans, was waived by the team Friday.
“It became apparent at this time that LenDale was not ready to be a member of the Seattle Seahawks,” GM John Schneider said in a statement. “It just did not appear to be the right fit at this point in our program. We wish LenDale all the best with his future.”
White came to Seattle as a gamble, having fallen out of favor with the Titans. He has battled weight problems and there have been concerns about his work ethic during his career. Seattle knew there was risk involved in acquiring White, and as a result gave up little to get him, swapping positions in the fourth and sixth rounds with Tennessee for White and defensive tackle Kevin Vickerson.
“You know what you’re getting into,” Schneider said the day the Seahawks traded for White. “I think he knows that he’s at a point in his career where he needs to step forward or it’s not going to happen for him. We believe it’s going to happen for him.”
White subsequently showed up to Seattle’s post-draft minicamp weighing 219 pounds, leading to speculation that he might make the most out a fresh start with Seattle and his former coach.
Schneider’s comments — he and Carroll weren’t available to elaborate — indicate White lacked the commitment the team was looking for, and the move certainly seems to send a message that no roster spot is safe, not even for Carroll’s former USC players.
Not long after news of White’s release came out Friday, Jason La Canfora of the NFL network reported that White is likely facing a four-game suspension for violating the league’s drug policy. According to La Canfora, the Seahawks were aware of the possible suspension, and White’s attitude, not the suspension, was the reason the Seahawks parted ways with White.
The move leaves Justin Forsett, Julius Jones and Leon Washington, who is trying to come back from an injury, as the likely candidates for the starting running back job.
Herald Writer John Boyle: jboyle@heraldnet.com. For more Seahawks coverage, check out the Seahawks blog at heraldnet.com/seahawksblog
