No, it’s not Jackie Chan

Published 10:24 pm Thursday, August 2, 2007

KIRKLAND – When the Seattle Seahawks coaching staff added a new aspect to practice on Thursday morning, at least one player thinks it might lead him to change careers.

“You’ve got to think about second careers,” defensive tackle Craig Terrill said after taking part in a martial arts drill with several teammates Thursday morning. “You never know what you’re going to do, and the UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) is blowing up right now.”

For the immediate future, the drill can help defensive linemen and linebackers develop hand coordination to help them rush the passer. Defensive line coach Dwaine Board and assistant head coach Jim Mora lobbied for the team to bring in a martial arts expert, and coach Mike Holmgren gave them the OK.

“If it helps, great,” Holmgren told the media while the drill was taking place a few yards away. “If it doesn’t do much, then no harm, no foul.

“We felt it helped us in San Francisco a long time ago. We did it a little bit in Green Bay, so we’re trying it here.”

Asked to provide the name of the man brought in to run the drill, Holmgren quipped: “Yeah, it’s Jackie Chan.”

Actually, it was a fifth-degree black belt named Erik Wray, who runs a Tai Kwon Do school at Mill Creek Town Center. For about 20 minutes, Wray led a drill that involved players pairing off and striking their partner’s mitted hands upon each whistle.

The drill is designed to help hand-eye coordination, which is important in the trenches.

“That’s some great stuff for pass rush and hand control,” Terrill said afterward. “… I think it will help us out.”

Weaver time?: Although he’s made similar statements in the past, Holmgren seems dedicated to giving fullback Leonard Weaver playing time this season.

Starting fullback Mack Strong “played more snaps last year than anybody on our offense,” Holmgren said. “He was tired at the end. He’s played a lot of football. That’s one of the reasons Leonard is going to play some more.”

Weaver has been a preseason star in each of the past two preseasons, but injuries have kept him from participating in regular-season games. He suffered a high ankle sprain in the 2006 preseason finale and was placed on injured reserve.

“I think it’s time,” Holmgren said of letting Weaver play. “It’s his time.

“… In no way to diminish his importance, but Mack has played for 14 years. And Leonard is a talented guy. Now, we have to figure out a way that they both help us.”

Daddy’s back: Wide receiver D.J. Hackett wasn’t exactly quiet upon his return to the practice field. Hackett, who missed the two previous days while attending the birth of his first child, was quarterback Matt Hasselbeck’s favorite target on Thursday morning.

“Whenever you’re away you’re just longing to be back out here,” he said.

Hackett and his wife, Alexandra, had a 7-pound, 11-ounce boy named Andre James Hackett.

Kirtman has surgery: Fullback David Kirtman, who broke his right hand during Wednesday’s morning practice, decided to have minor surgery. Holmgren said he expects him to miss only “seven to 10 days.”

Quick slants: Several coaches and players couldn’t be blamed for dividing their attention Thursday morning, when the Blue Angels could be seen – and heard – flying overhead on several occasions. … Three NFL officials were in town to talk to the team about rules of emphasis for the 2007 season. Holmgren said that the league is going to cut down on players spiking the ball unless it’s after a touchdown.