KIRKLAND – While the Seattle Seahawks have until today to make their final roster cuts, they took the field Saturday afternoon with two of their most important decisions already made.
Defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes announced that Orlando Huff will start at middle linebacker and Isaiah Kacyvenski will start at strongside linebacker.
“I’m concerned about them, but those guys know they have to step up and play,” Rhodes said. ” … We’ve got people around them that are very solid, and as a coach you put the pressure on the rest of the group.”
Huff was battling Solomon Bates and Niko Koutouvides in one of the most high-profile battles of training camp. None of the three overwhelmingly stood out over the others.
Having won the three-man battle, Huff took the field Saturday afternoon without much fanfare.
“I didn’t expect anybody to come up and hand me balloons or play horns,” Huff said. “It’s my job. This is what I get paid to do.”
Huff’s experience and run-stuffing ability were the main factors in his being named the starter. He started seven games when Kacyvenski got hurt in 2002, and two in place of Randall Godfrey last year, but Huff believes he is a much improved player now.
“Experience is a big thing,” said Huff, a fourth-year player from Fresno State University. “I feel great. The last time I got thrown in for Kaz, I didn’t have any experience, so I just went out and played football and had fun. This is a new day, and I’m just going to do my thing.”
Huff underwent shoulder surgery in the offseason but proved to be healthy during minicamps and training camp. He shuddered at questions about the competition for a starting spot during the past month and is glad to have that experience behind him.
“We’re a team that’s supposed to be in Super Bowl contention, and all people wanted to know is: who’s going to be the middle linebacker?” Huff said. “I refused to talk about it after a while. It got ridiculous. I had to put my focus on something bigger, and that’s trying to win the big game.”
Huff will be the seventh Seahawks middle linebacker to start an opener in the past seven seasons. The last guy to start in back-to-back years was Dean Wells (1997-98).
Kacyvenski, who has started nine games at middle linebacker during his first four NFL seasons, beat out Tracy White for the starting job on the strongside. He outplayed White in the preseason finale, a 23-21 win over Minnesota, to seal down the position.
“You have to keep working and keep working to get that starting job in any way you can. And now it came up again,” said Kacyvenski, who got hurt in 2002 and never got back into the starting lineup. “Obviously, I wouldn’t have expected to be in this position three years ago, but football’s funny. I’m just grateful I’ve got another shot at it.”
Kacyvenski is expected to be a temporary replacement, as Chad Brown could be back as soon as the Oct. 17 game at New England. Brown broke his leg on Aug. 23 and might be out up to eight weeks.
Cutdown looms: The Seahawks have to trim 22 players by today’s deadline, although eight may have already been handed their walking papers.
While no official announcement was made Saturday, eight borderline players did not attend practice. Two former Washington State players – linebacker Isaac Brown and offensive lineman Joey Hollenbeck – were among the players missing. The others were: tight end Josh Whitman, offensive lineman Jeff Roehl, cornerback Brad Franklin and defensive linemen John Schlecht, Omar Nazel and LaWaylon Brown.
After today’s cutdown, the Seahawks will have one day to build an eight-man practice squad.
Left tackle Walter Jones also is expected to re-join the team next week, but the Seahawks will have until Saturday to put him on the roster and release someone else.
Unwilling talker: Rhodes spoke with a few reporters for 15 minutes on Saturday, but not by his own volition.
“This is a mandatory (interview), mandated by the head coach,” Rhodes groused after the short session, which took place next to the practice field. “I told the coach (Mike Holmgren) that I’ll go and get this done, but it was mandated.”
Quick slants: Defensive tackle Marcus Tubbs, who is nursing a sore hamstring, did not practice Saturday but is expected back this week. He has been out since Aug. 20, and Rhodes seems to be getting frustrated. “There are sometimes when you have to know the difference between a little pain and an injury,” Rhodes said. “We’ve got to play now. It’s time to play.” … Fullback Chris Davis underwent an MRI on his right knee, but the results were inconclusive. The team might know more by today or Monday. … The Seahawks have today off, then will prepare the next five days for next Sunday’s regular season opener at New Orleans.
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