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Huard not sure starter

Published 9:00 pm Monday, November 13, 2000

By SCOTT M. JOHNSON / Herald Writer

By SCOTT M. JOHNSON

Herald Writer

KIRKLAND – Brock Huard is recovering from the after-effects of a three-week-old concussion, and he appears to be on track to return to the starting lineup for the Seattle Seahawks’ next game.

But the decision on a starting quarterback might not be that easy.

Coach Mike Holmgren, who said last week that Huard would regain the starting job when healthy, said Monday that he would talk it over with his assistants before making a final decision.

“I won’t say I’m not going to do what I said,” Holmgren said of re-inserting Huard as the starter. “I’m just saying before I actually make the final decision, it’s worth talking about again, because Jon (Kitna) had a good game (Sunday).

“But I still need to get some answers before the end of the season. Certainly, Brock was our starter, was hurt; it wasn’t his fault he was hurt. … I just want to do the right thing. I’m not going to rush into anything. We have time. Because of the bye, we have time.”

Kitna had his finest game of the season Sunday, completing 22 of 33 passes with three touchdowns in a 28-21 win over Jacksonville. After the game, he said he expected to return to his role of backup, which will probably depend on Huard’s health.

Huard underwent some physical tests before Sunday’s game and responded well. He will be further evaluated as the week wears on.

“He’s improving, and if he doesn’t have any setbacks to his workouts this week, then he has a good chance to play in our next ball game,” Holmgren said. “What we’re going to do is work him out more extensively than he’s been worked out before. And then see how he reacts to that. Our feeling is that he’s going to be OK and that he’ll be able to participate in the next game.”

The Seahawks’ next game is Nov. 26 against the Denver Broncos at Husky Stadium.

  • Healthy bodies: While Huard, Kitna (Achilles tendon), linebacker Isaiah Kacyvenski (hamstring), running back Ricky Watters (knee) and cornerbacks Willie Williams (neck stinger) and Chris Canty (concussion) recover from injuries, Holmgren expects to have a healthy roster by the time the team begins practicing Monday.

    “In all likelihood, we should have everyone in time for the next ball game,” Holmgren said.

  • Eye on the Apple: Huard, a University of Washington grad, and Washington State University products Robbie Tobeck and Rian Lindell are waiting for an official point spread before they make any friendly wagers on this weekend’s Apple Cup.

    But Huard has a good idea of who will win this weekend’s game at Pullman.

    “Unless there’s a major snowstorm,” Huard said, “there’s no chance (the Cougars) are going to win.”

    Tobeck, a Seahawks offensive lineman, will obviously be hoping WSU can pull out a victory. No matter what happens, his distaste for UW will remain.

    “They either win and they’re obnoxious about it,” Tobeck said, “or they lose and they have excuses.”

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