KIRKLAND — In what could go down as the last first practice of Mike Holmgren’s coaching career, the 60-year-old coach was back to his old tricks Friday morning.
At one point, a frustrated Holmgren barked at his offensive players for missing an assignment.
“It’s this time of year,” Holmgren told reporters after his Seattle Seahawks opened training camp with a morning practice Friday. “Getting all the players in here and getting going again and anticipating a great season, that’s always very exciting. It has been for me, and that’s why I’ve been able to do it for a long time.”
Holmgren announced last spring that this would be his final season as the Seattle Seahawks’ head coach. That means this will be the last time he takes the field for a training camp, and yet he won’t allow himself to get nostalgic.
“As long as I keep busy and keep going,” he said, “when that’ll hit me a little bit will be at the end (of the season), I think.”
Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said that Holmgren’s impending retirement is no reason for the players to lose their focus.
“I don’t want to offend (Holmgren) in any way,” he said, “but it’s business as usual. I don’t think it’s something that we’re thinking about or talking about. It’s the nature of what we do. We lose teammates all the time; that’s just a hard part of our business.
“… We’ve got goals this season. We’ve got a lot invested in this season — personally, never mind him. I don’t think it’s anything new for us.”
Holmgren turned 60 in June, and he appears to be in good health despite an undisclosed surgical procedure last month.
Asked Friday how he is feeling, Holmgren said: “My health’s good. I feel good.”
Jackson in, Green out: The Seahawks cut ties with veteran safety Mike Green on Friday morning, waiving him and two other players to make room for newly signed draft picks.
Green, 31, underwent three offseason surgeries and spent most of his two-year Seahawks career fighting myriad of injuries.
“Everyone loved Michael around here,” Holmgren said. “He’s a wonderful guy. But he could not stay healthy.”
Defensive tackle Kevin Brown and fullback Dan Curran were also released to make room for the trio of rookies.
First-round pick Lawrence Jackson signed a five-year, $11.5 million contract, according to numbers obtained by The Associated Press, before Friday’s first prac tice.
“This is the fun part about it,” Jackson said of being at practice. “Unfortunately, there is a business side of it, and you hate to spend any time away from the team. But sometimes that is necessary so you can play football. In my case, it was necessary. But I’m glad it’s over and I’m doing what I love.”
Fullback Owen Schmitt and defensive tackle Red Bryant also signed before taking the field for practice.
The Seahawks’ last unsigned draft pick is tight end John Carlson, who is expected to compete for a starting job.
“It’s a big deal,” Holmgren said of Carlson not being there for the opening day of camp. “He’s a wonderful young guy, and he’s a bright guy, but this is important stuff. For any rookie who we expect to play and to contribute, it’s important that he not miss too much time.”
No. 98 again: Linebacker Julian Peterson traded jersey numbers with teammate Baraka Atkins, going back to the No. 98 that he wore during his career at Michigan State University and with the San Francisco 49ers.
Peterson said he started wearing the number at the behest of his mother. He wore No. 81 in high school and No. 17 in junior college, so his mother suggested that he add the two together.
Atkins, a defensive end, is now wearing No. 59, which is the number Peterson wore in each of the past two seasons.
Branch on the mend: Holmgren said that the team is holding out hope that wide receiver Deion Branch will be available for the Sept. 7 regular-season opener.
In January, Branch underwent surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee. He was catching passes on a JUGS machine Friday morning but did not participate in practice.
“We’re hopeful that we will have him for the first regular-season game,” Holmgren said. “We’ll see how that goes.”
Defensive tackle Marcus Tubbs, who underwent multiple offseason knee surgeries, could also be back for the opener. Holmgren said that the team is being cautious with him so that he’ll be fully healed by the opener.
Holmgren also said that punter Ryan Plackemeier (pectoral) is almost ready to begin kicking again, but for now Reggie Hodges is the only punter at camp.
The only other player to sit out both practices was linebacker Will Herring, whom Holmgren said had a condition that causes recurring inflammation in his muscles.
Quick slants: The Seahawks added veteran wide receiver Bryan Gilmore to the roster. Gilmore is a sixth-year player who has played for Arizona, Miami and San Francisco. … Holmgren said that the presence of veteran Charlie Frye as the No. 3 quarterback might free up Seneca Wallace to see more time at wide receiver. But Holmgren added that Wallace is still focusing on his job as No. 2 quarterback. … Tackle Walter Jones (shoulder) and defensive end Patrick Kerney (calf) saw limited practice time Friday morning but did not take part in the afternoon session.
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