KIRKLAND – If Chad Brown didn’t believe in omens, he does now.
The Seattle Seahawks’ veteran linebacker, recalling a training camp injury that is expected to keep him out until sometime next month, shakes his head at the irony of it.
That very morning, Brown woke up uncharacteristically early. He had a few minutes to peruse the internet, and stumbled onto an article about all the training camp injuries.
“I was reading about all of these guys getting injured in non-contact practices,” Brown said Tuesday in his first public interview since breaking the fibula in his left leg on Aug. 23. “… I’m like, How does this happen to people? Not even two hours later, I realized how it happens.”
Brown broke his leg when his feet got tangled up with tight end Itula Mili during a non-contact passing drill. While his latest injury originally left Brown wondering why it had to happen to him, he has since come to terms with the setback.
“You can’t let a brutal experience grow in you,” Brown said. “You just can’t. Things happen in this game. Bad stuff happens.
“I just wish I hadn’t tried to cover Itula so tight. It was a meaningless practice – I’m sure coach (Mike Holmgren) won’t want to hear that – but it was just one of those plays. I was trying to do my job as well as I could do it.”
Brown is expected to miss at least the first four games of the regular season while the bone heals. He’s already undergone surgery and is wearing a small soft cast that starts below his left knee.
In the meantime, Isaiah Kacyvenski will fill in as the starter. Kacyvenski started nine games at middle linebacker in 2002, although he struggled with injuries and shedding interior blockers.
“Experience gives you wisdom that nothing else can,” Brown said. “He’s played in games. I don’t know if the game slows down, but I think you’re able to process it more completely. So I expect him to be much better than he was two years ago just because of his experience.”
Hamlin vs. Stallworth, Round 2: The last time the Seahawks and New Orleans Saints played, in the 2003 season opener, Seattle safety Ken Hamlin brought the home fans out of their seats with a jarring hit on New Orleans receiver Dante’ Stallworth.
The collision caused Stallworth to lose his helmet and was replayed on highlights all year.
One year later, with the Seahawks preparing to travel to New Orleans for Sunday’s opener, Hamlin knows Stallworth will be looking for revenge.
“He’s excited,” Hamlin said with a smile. “It’s going to be fun. … He’s anxious for the game.”
Hamlin knows because he spoke to Stallworth on the phone two weeks ago. The pair became acquaintances while facing each other in Southeastern Conference games – Hamlin at Arkansas, Stallworth at Tennessee. Rashad Moore, a Seahawks defensive tackle and former UT teammate of Stallworth, helped put the duo in touch recently.
Hamlin and Stallworth also spoke after the 2003 meeting.
“He was saying things like, ‘You didn’t have to do that,’” Hamlin said of the memorable tackle. “I know he’s going to come out with his A-game Sunday.”
Making an impression: As if Walter Jones didn’t get enough fanfare for skipping all of training camp, a loud-mouthed teammate pumped him up even more before a pass-block drill Tuesday.
As Jones lined up across from defensive end Grant Wistrom, center Robbie Tobeck stood behind and cheered him on.
“Fourteen million dollars my (rear), Walt,” Tobeck yelled, referring to Wistrom’s signing bonus. “Kick his (butt).”
Jones essentially did that, manhandling Wistrom in the one-on-one matchup. Afterward, Tobeck walked over to Jones and offered: “Way to make him earn his money.”
Tobeck and Wistrom have become fast friends, although their relationship is built more on good-natured barbs than pats on the back.
Ailing Horns: One University of Texas product was back on Seattle’s defensive line Tuesday, while the other is expected to return today.
Defensive tackle Cedric Woodard (knee) took part after missing two practices over the previous three days. He is expected to start against New Orleans on Sunday.
Holmgren said that defensive tackle Marcus Tubbs, a rookie first-round pick from Texas, should return from a hamstring injury today. There was no word on his status for the game, as the official injury report comes out today.
Also ailing is wide receiver Alex Bannister, who has taken part in conditioning drills this week but has yet to participate in contact drills.
Quick slants: New safety Marquand Manuel showed up midway through practice but did not participate. He’s expected to suit up today and should be available when the Seahawks play the Saints. Manuel was picked up off the waiver wire on Monday. … Right guard Chris Gray was given a routine day off Tuesday but is expected to play this weekend.
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