RENTON — The boss at Jeff Robinson’s former job can be tough, but she can also be understanding.
And so when Robinson told his boss/wife, Laura, that he was going to take time off from her company and return to the Seattle Seahawks, she was all for it — again.
Robinson, who lives in Seattle and works for his wife’s physical training company called 5focus, was on call again and accepted the invitation from the Seahawks.
After rookie long snapper Tyler Schmitt was placed on injured reserve with a bad back, Seattle reached out to the 38-year-old Robinson, who had gone into semi-retirement after finishing the 2007 season with the Seahawks.
“I’m certainly not young,” he said. “But I feel really good. If I didn’t feel really good, I wouldn’t be out here.”
To make room for Robinson, Seattle released snapper Tim Lindsey, who had been signed to handle the duties while Schmitt was nursing the back injury. Special teams coach Bruce DeHaven said that the team needed a veteran.
“He’s a more experienced guy,” DeHaven said. “When he was here last year, I wasn’t sure exactly what he was going to be, but he’s still a little more accurate than Tim was when he was here.”
Robinson originally joined the Seahawks last December, after snappers Derek Rackley and Boone Stutz struggled. He came out of retirement to finish the year with the team but decided to hang the cleats up for a second time after the season was over.
By bringing Robinson back, the Seahawks continued an ongoing merry-go-round that has seen six snappers come through town — two in less than 12 months.
“It’s been an adventure,” coach Mike Holmgren said. “What you learn is, if you get one that you like, you try to keep him around.”
Holmgren did not get specific when asked about Schmitt’s back problems, but the coach made it sound like the season-ending injury may linger.
“There wasn’t any indication (during pre-draft interviews) that there was a problem,” Holmgren said. “He’s a young man, and he’s got a back like mine.”
The Seahawks are just relieved that Robinson was willing to come back — and that Laura Robinson let him.
“What a gig he has,” Holmgren said. “He missed all of training camp. He said he’s more fresh, and then he reminded me that he’s practiced as much as (center) Chris Spencer. He’s a very funny guy. Good to have him back.”
Robinson said he’s glad to be back, even though he once said that the 2007 season would be his last.
“I say a lot of things,” he said Wednesday. “Ask anyone who knows me.”
Running amok: The Seahawks’ run defense isn’t quite rolling into the regular season on a high note.
San Diego’s Darren Sproles ran for 102 yards against the Seahawks on Monday, with most of his damage coming against the first-string defense in the first half. He broke out with 44 yards on his first two carries and had a total of 53 on San Diego’s opening drive. Each one of Sproles’ first six carries went for five yards or more, including runs of 24, 20 and 16 yards.
“When it comes down to the season, we can’t have games like that,” defensive tackle Brandon Mebane said. “… We need to tackle better.”
The performance was alarming because Seattle had all 11 of its starting defenders on the field. Middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu didn’t finish the half, but he played 27 minutes before leaving the game with a knee injury.
This is the same Seahawks defense that allowed 201 rushing yards and three touchdowns to Green Bay running back Ryan Grant in a January playoff loss.
“We’re not really looking at the past,” Mebane said. “It’s a new year, and we know what we’re capable of doing.
“We’ll learn from it, move on and get better.”
Frye OK: Backup quarterback Charlie Frye did not practice Wednesday because of a knee injury he suffered in Monday’s loss to the Chargers.
But Frye, who has started the Seahawks’ past two preseason games, has no serious damage. Holmgren said that there was a chance that Frye could play Friday night against Oakland.
“I think we’ll have Charlie for the Raiders,” Holmgren said. “But Seneca (Wallace) and (rookie) Dalton Bell will probably play the most.”
Quick slants: Defensive tackle Craig Terrill missed Wednesday’s practice because of an unspecified injury. … Kicker Brandon Coutu (groin) returned to practice, but Holmgren was not definitive about whether he will play in Friday’s game. The kicking battle between Coutu and veteran Olindo Mare is still a close one, but Holmgren said that Coutu’s injury “didn’t help him.” …. Holmgren said that defensive tackle Red Bryant (knee) and center Chris Spencer (back) are likely to make their preseason debuts on Friday.
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