RENTON — In what has been a relatively quiet offseason for the Seattle Seahawks, the closest thing to a splash the team has made was the acquisition of San Diego quarterback Charlie Whitehurst.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll, who, in case you hadn’t heard, preaches the theme of competition, said when the trade was made that Hasselbeck was still the team’s quarterback, but that Whitehurst was brought to Seattle to compete and push the veteran who has been the Seahawks starter for the better part of a decade.
So is Hasselbeck upset that, in the final year of his contract, his team’s new coach and general manager hand-picked another quarterback to push him in 2010, and perhaps take his job down the road?
Apparently not.
Hasselbeck said Carroll and general manager John Schneider called him when they made the trade, and that he has no problems with some new blood pushing him to be better.
“They kind of just explained, ‘Hey listen, he’s a young guy and we’re going to bring him in. We want to make that room as good as possible,’” Hasselbeck said after Wednesday’s practice, the second of a three-day minicamp. “Pete sort of laid out his general philosophy about football, about how to win, and that’s competing and bringing out the best in each guy … And that’s great. No sweat, that’s totally cool.”
Carroll’s approach to football reminds Hasselbeck a bit of the coach that mentored him for most of his career.
“Ironically it sounded so similar to Mike Holmgren talk about, ‘Hey, I’m going to push you guys farther than you even know you can be pushed. That’s what my goal is. I’m trying to get the absolute best out of you guys,’” Hasselbeck said.
Hasselbeck insists he doesn’t think about the fact that his contract expires after this season, meaning the 34-year-old could be looking for work in 2011 if Seattle decides to hand the reigns to Whitehurst after the season. Nor is he insulted that the team would look for another quarterback while he is still on the roster.
“It’s always been my feeling that you’re competing, and you’re not competing with the guys on your roster or the guys in your locker room,” he said. “In the NFL you’re competing against everybody in the world that they can find to do a better job than you to help the team win. I’ve seen that my whole career, and this is no different. So I think it’s a great thing and I welcome the change. I love the philosophy, I’m all in, I love it. Hopefully this is what will get us to turn this program around.”
And even if Whitehurst is here to push Hasselbeck, he’s not really a threat to take his job this season. At least not based off the words of offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates. Asked about the team’s new quarterback, Bates praised Whitehurst, but also made clear the pecking order.
“The ball’s getting out of his hand fast, he’s got a great arm, he’s athletic, 6-4,” Bates said of Whitehurst. “He’s everything we’re looking for in a backup right now.”
As for the first minicamp under Carroll, Hasselbeck said his body feels great and that the first two days of practice have gone well. And even though he’s learning a new system for the second straight season, Hasselbeck said the new one is similar to the offense he played in under Holmgren.
“Pretty similar to what we used to do,” Hasselbeck said “… There’s a lot of similarities, we’re able to speak the same language.”
Spencer back to center
One change the new coaching staff has made this minicamp is to move Chris Spencer back to center. Spencer, who took over the staring center job when Robbie Tobeck retired, was moved from center to right guard late last season, switching spots with rookie Max Unger. But after two days of practice, Spencer is back to taking snaps with Unger playing right guard. A lot could change between now and September, but for now it appears to be a move that could stick.
“He’s a natural center,” offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates said. “He’s quick off the ball, he has great hands, he’s a leader of that line, he’s nasty. It’s a natural position for him and we’re extremely excited that he’s part of that line.”
Herald Writer John Boyle: jboyle@heraldnet.com. For more Seahawks coverage, check out the Seahawks blog at heraldnet.com/seahawksblog
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