Finally feeling fine again
Published 9:00 pm Thursday, August 18, 2005
CHENEY – Ryan Hannam has never professed himself to be a very patient man.
“I try to be,” he said. “I act like I am, anyway.”
Seahawks tight end Ryan Hannam (right) has caught nine passes in 37 career games.
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But Hannam, the Seattle Seahawks’ 25-year-old tight end, has been forced to learn the virtues of patience during his four-year NFL career. Since tearing the ACL in his right knee in October 2003, Hannam has methodically made the slow crawl back to good health.
He missed the final 11 games of the 2003 season, then hobbled through training camp and the entire 2004 season. His knee continued to bother him for most of the summer, forcing him to get it scoped in June.
Now, nearly two years after his initial surgery, Hannam is finally feeling like himself again.
“Right now is the best I felt since I hurt it two years ago,” Hannam said after a training camp practice Thursday. “That’s real encouraging to me. I feel like I’m progressing right back to where I was.”
Hannam’s knee has progressed so much in recent weeks that he’s gone from taking part in only one practice per day to going full speed in every session. He still wears a protective brace but has only recently started to gain more confidence on the knee.
“The old saying is that it takes until the second season after an ACL injury before you’re feeling like you did before,” the Northern Iowa University product said. “That’ll be coming up here for me, and hopefully that’s what happens.”
The Seahawks have always liked Hannam’s potential as both a blocker and receiver, but his development has been slowed by the injury and the presence of fellow tight ends Itula Mili and Jerramy Stevens. He’s caught just nine passes over 37 career games, yet Hannam might be ready to assume a bigger role now that he’s healthy.
“Anytime you get hurt, it’s frustrating,” he said. “But when you play long enough, you get hurt; that’s what happens. You’ve got to be a pro about it, deal with it and come back and do what you can.”
Hannam has finally come back, with both his health and a newfound patience.
“It’s probably taught me to see the bigger picture a little bit,” Hannam said of the injury. “Sometimes the only thing that you can do is look at it one day at a time.”
Back to work: After getting an unprecedented day off Wednesday, the Seahawks held a crisp morning practice Thursday, followed by an average one in the afternoon.
“We had no problems, and that was good,” coach Mike Holmgren said after the morning session. “I think (the off day) was necessary and now, in retrospect, I’m glad I did it.”
The day off also gave players some extra healing time. In addition to the normal bumps, bruises and sore muscles, there was an extra body on the field.
Cornerback Andre Dyson returned after missing the previous four practices with a neck stinger.
Even if Dyson is cleared to play in Monday night’s game, Kelly Herndon will probably get the start. Defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes is giving both players an opportunity to compete for the starting job.
No brotherly reunion: Seahawks safety Michael Boulware won’t get to play with his older brother anytime soon.
Linebacker/defensive end Peter Boulware re-signed with the Baltimore Ravens on Thursday after visiting the Seahawks earlier this summer. Seattle officials were concerned with a knee injury that forced Peter Boulware to miss the entire 2004 season.
Quick slants: Tests revealed that reserve offensive lineman Wayne Hunter has a sprained MCL in his right knee, which will probably keep him out of practice for two to three weeks. Hunter had been working as Floyd Womack’s backup at right tackle. … Holmgren said he expects linebacker D.D. Lewis (concussion) to return “in the next few days.” Rookie running back Jesse Lumsden is also progressing from a hip injury he suffered Aug. 4. … Defensive tackle Cedric Woodard (knee) had practiced sparingly all week before taking Thursday off. … The Seahawks will hold two practices today and one Saturday morning before breaking camp.
