Moon turns to TV work
Published 9:00 pm Thursday, August 2, 2001
By Scott M. Johnson
Herald Writer
CHENEY – Far be it for a training camp to pass by without Warren Moon.
So there was the former University of Washington and Seattle Seahawks quarterback Thursday, attending practices as preparation for his new job as a television analyst.
This year marks only the second time since 1984 that Moon will not be taking part of an NFL training camp, as he missed all but the last two days of the 1998 session at Eastern Washington University while holding out in a contract dispute. Moon has attended 22 training camps in his 23-year career, including seven in the Canadian Football League.
“I don’t miss it,” said Moon, 44, who retired from football in January. “That’s something I was wondering how I’d feel about once training camp started. I knew I wouldn’t miss the offseason programs because I hated that when I was playing. But now that I’m out here, I still don’t miss it.
“I know what I’ll miss, I’ll miss the games. That’s one of the reasons why I still want to stay close to it.”
Moon will work as a sideline reporter for all four of the Seahawks’ preseason games – three on Channel 13 and one on WB22.
Although he is currently living in Houston, Moon said he will soon make a move to either Seattle or Los Angeles, depending on where he can find more work opportunities.
As for his NFL debut as a sideline reporter one week from Sunday, Moon said he’s not feeling any butterflies.
“As long as I bring the right work ethic to it, do my homework and know the players, I should be all right,” he said.
Robinson hurting: After making his Seahawks practice debut on the first day of training camp, rookie wideout Koren Robinson has gone back to watching from the sideline to rest an ailing hamstring.
“I guess my body didn’t react to all the running as I thought it would,” Robinson said. “My body’s just sore. My hamstring’s still weak. My other hamstring’s sore, too, because I haven’t done that much.”
Robinson, the Seahawks’ No. 1 draft pick, is slowly being worked onto the practice field, but hasn’t taken part in any drills since Sunday.
“I’m anxious to get in there and show everyone what I can do,” Robinson said. “I haven’t shown anything since I’ve been drafted. The first day of training camp, I felt like I did all right. But I’m eager to get out there and show why Seattle drafted me.”
Robinson’s absence means he’s losing valuable practice time with new quarterback Matt Hasselbeck.
“It’s a bigger deal if he’s not out there Sept. 9 (in the season opener) against the Browns than it is if he isn’t out there today or tomorrow,” Hasselbeck said.
Impressive rookie: It’s still far too early to declare a winner in the battle for the right cornerback position, but rookie Ken Lucas has certainly made a case for himself.
Lucas showed off his make-up speed to break up a Hasselbeck pass Thursday, nearly coming up with an interception in the process. Lucas later intercepted a Brock Huard pass over the middle while showcasing a 36 1/2-inch vertical.
“He’s making plays,” cornerback Shawn Springs said. “He’s a good player and a hard worker.
“If he keeps playing like that, I’m going to be on a different team. I’ll be in Green Bay next year or something because Coach is going to get rid of me.”
Not to be outdone, Ike Charlton made a nice break on a Hasselbeck pass to end the morning session with an interception. Charlton and Lucas are battling with Willie Williams for the starting position opposite Springs.
Caught up in the madness: Despite getting his first opportunity as an NFL starter, Hasselbeck doesn’t have much of an ego.
When a reporter asked him what it’s like to have the entire city of Seattle analyzing his every move, Hasselbeck said: “I think everybody in Seattle is watching the Mariners.”
Hasselbeck continued to struggle Thursday, so much so that coach Mike Holmgren pulled him from a red zone drill during the afternoon practice. When the first offense huddled for the next drill, Huard was playing quarterback. Huard and third-stringer Travis Brown alternated for the remainder of practice while Hasselbeck looked on.
Quick slants: Running back Ricky Watters is healthy, but was given the day off. … Temperatures reached 85 degrees, making it the warmest of training camp’s first five days.
