RENTON — T.J. Duckett is something of a freak.
But in a good way.
As a high schooler in Kalamazoo, Mich., he ran the 100 meters in under 11 seconds, and had a top shot put mark of 67 feet, which made him either a freakishly strong sprinter, or a freakishly fast thrower.
During training camp this season, Duckett has consistently worn his jersey in a manner that shows off his abs.
Some teammates have given the running back a hard time about that look, but as one observer noted, “If you were 250 pounds and had a six-pack, wouldn’t you show it off?”
Those physical oddities made Duckett one of the nation’s top recruits out of high school, and later an all-conference performer at Michigan State. His rare combination of size and speed made him a first-round draft pick, and for his first four years in the league, a major player in Atlanta’s run game.
But after moves to Washington, Detroit and then Seattle, Duckett has seen his playing time and carries drop significantly, and now carries the label of short-yardage back who can’t do much else.
This season, however, with his former head coach and offensive coordinator now calling the shots in Seattle, Duckett said he feels like he can get back to being the player he was in Atlanta when he averaged 543.75 carries per season compared to the 213 he’s averaged the past three since leaving the Falcons.
“I do want to be able to have an opportunity to work in between the 20s and get regular-down carries rather than just short-yardage and goal-line stuff,” said Duckett, who led the Seahawks with eight touchdowns last season, but had just 172 carries. “And given the opportunity, I think I can make some plays.”
Seattle offensive coordinator Greg Knapp coached Duckett for two seasons in Atlanta, and is convinced the 254-pound back can be more than just a bruiser in short-yardage situations.
“This is the best I’ve seen him at camp,” Knapp said. “He’s dropped some weight, he’s looking quick, and he has a really good feel for what we’re talking about, making that one step cut downhill. He does provide a lot of versatility outside of just the short-yardage and goal-line package.”
Duckett knows he won’t likely be the Seahawks’ feature back — Julius Jones will have that role — but he says there is a significant place for him in the Seahawks’ offense.
“All of the running backs add a different dimension, and once we’re all on the same page, that’s just going to benefit everyone,” he said. “A change of pace, switching things up, it’s going to keep defenses on their toes.”
In Atlanta, Duckett was the complement to the smaller, quicker Warrick Dunn when the Falcons were the NFL’s top rushing team under Knapp. In Seattle, he wants to have that same role with Jones.
“I’m a big believer in (using multiple backs),” Knapp said. “The season is so long and defenses are getting so physical. My experience has told me you need to have more than one back to make it through a season. … I’m a big believer that you have to use multiple backs, and it’s not so much for the start of the year, it’s for when it comes (to) crunch time in December and in January for the playoffs.”
Mora apologizes to fans
The Seahawks were scheduled to hold a pair of open practices Tuesday, but fans were told to stay home when the practices were moved indoors. After a wet practice Monday evening led to a few muscle strains, Mora decided a day on a dry field would be better for his players, but he also acknowledged the fans who didn’t get to come.
“The reason we came inside was, I felt like (Monday), the fields were a little soft and a little slippery, and we had a couple groin strains,” the Seahawks coach said. “At this point in camp, when their legs are a little bit heavy and it’s wet out, I think you’re asking for trouble if you put them on a field that is not stable. So, I apologize to the people that couldn’t make it out here… We’ll make it up to you. Promise.”
Tatupu, others rest
Pro Bowl linebacker Lofa Tatupu isn’t injured, Mora said, but he sat out both of Tuesday’s practices to rest. Tatupu also missed Sunday’s practice, and was limited on Saturday and Monday.
The list of player sitting out continues to grow, but so far Mora said he’s not worried about any of the injuries carrying over into the season.
Deion Branch sat out the morning practice, but returned in the evening, and said after the second practice that he’s just fine, but the team is being cautious with him. Nate Burleson missed the evening practice, but that was also for rest, the team said.
Guard Cory Withrow missed the evening with an unspecified leg injury, and was the only other new injury Tuesday. Ray Willis, Corry Redding and D.D. Lewis all returned for the evening practice after sitting out in the morning.
Herald Writer John Boyle: jboyle@heraldnet.com. For more Seahawks coverage, check out the Seahawks blog at heraldnet.com/seahawksblog.
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