New safeties ready to lead

  • By Scott M. Johnson / Herald Writer
  • Saturday, May 5, 2007 9:00pm
  • Sports

KIRKLAND – One thing that the National Football League teaches pretty quickly is that talk is cheap. If you boast like Keyshawn Johnson, but you play like Ki-Jana Carter, you’ll be out on your keister looking for work.

So it’s no surprise that a couple of veterans like Deon Grant and Brian Russell got sick of spending countless hours of talking football during the past six weeks. The Seattle Seahawks’ new safeties were done talking the talk and ready to start walking the walk.

“We’ve been looking forward to this and had the date marked on our calendars for awhile,” Russell said at Day 2 of the Seahawks’ minicamp on Saturday. “It’s just great to get out here and play football instead of just talking about it.”

After signing contracts within days of each other, and spending a good part of the past month lifting weights and talking strategies, Russell and Grant led a revamped Seahawks secondary into minicamps over the weekend.

“I’ve seen film on some of these guys,” cornerback Kelly Jennings said, “but I was eager to see what they were going to bring on the field.”

Their true impact won’t be on display until the pads come on at training camp. But two days into the first minicamp, Seattle’s new safeties have already made a less physical impression.

First and foremost, both Grant and Russell are pretty vocal – and it’s not the kind of useless trash talk that takes a player away from the task at hand.

“Those two guys really emphasize communication,” Jennings said, “and I think that will help us.”

Grant, who has quickly established himself as one of the leaders of the defense, admitted that he and Russell still have to find a common ground when it comes to directing traffic.

“We’ve just got to make sure that when we’re talking, we’re not over-talking, and that we’re saying the same thing,” said Grant, a 28-year-old free safety who signed a six-year, $30 million contract in March. “We just have to have that understanding and make sure we’re on the same plan.”

Russell said that, partly due to a prior friendship that comes from sharing the same agent, the two safeties have been on the same page since the time they signed on.

“As much as any position on the field, the two safeties are tied to each other,” said Russell, a five-year veteran who has played with Minnesota and Cleveland. “If he’s on a different page than I am, then you’re in trouble. But we hit the ground running.

“We talked before we signed here, we share the same agent, and I think we’re going to be great together.”

With Ken Hamlin now in Dallas, and veterans Michael Boulware, Mike Green and Jordan Babineaux temporarily sidelined because of surgeries, the Seahawks have gotten a long look at their two new safeties. And it’s safe to say that Grant and Russell look like front-runners for the starting jobs.

But those haven’t been the only changes in the Seahawks’ secondary. Second-round draft pick Josh Wilson has seen plenty of action at this minicamp while Kelly Herndon continues to recover from a broken ankle. And Jennings has solidified his spot as a possible starter after spending most of his rookie season in a backup role.

But the most notable change in the defensive backfield could involve the 45-year-old man who stands 20 yards downfield during 11-on-11 drills but gets almost as much exercise as the younger players.

New defensive backs coach Jim Mora has been one of the most vocal people at the minicamp, showing the same youthful exuberance that he did during his early career as an NFL assistant.

“He’s very excited,” cornerback Marcus Trufant said of the former Atlanta Falcons head coach. “He’s a young guy, active, and he’s out there doing the drills with us.”

Mora, whose father of the same first name also used to be a head coach, does more than most position coaches. During part of Saturday’s practice, he was leading the entire defense in a drill while coordinator John Marshall looked on.

“Obviously, he understands the game, having been a head coach,” Russell said of Mora. “You can talk big picture with him, and then he can break down the details because he’s been a DB coach before.

“With that (addition), working with Deon, and then working with the corners that we have, I think it makes for a great group.”

The Seahawks are hoping that’s not just talk.

Notes: The offensive line has been in heavy rotation this camp, thanks to injuries to starting center Chris Spencer (shoulder) and tackle Tom Ashworth (hip) and the excused absence of top reserve Floyd Womack. Staring right guard Chris Gray has worked at center with the No. 1 offense, while backup tackle Ray Willis has filled in at his guard position. Veteran center Austin King has seen time at both guard and center. … The Seahawks re-signed cornerback Kevin Hobbs, who went to training camp with the team as a rookie last year but did not survive the final cut. Hobbs replaced Cal rookie Tim Mixon, who opted to sign with Chicago.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren watches his team against Washington Sunday, November 9, 2003. (George Bridges / KRT / Tribune News Services)
No Holmgren in Hall is a travesty

The Former Seahawks coach carries a resume superior to many already in the HOF.

A Snohomish School District truck clears the parking lot at Glacier Peak High School on Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025. (Aaron Coe / The Herald)
Inclement weather cancellations strain high school sports calendar

With state tournaments on the horizon, ADs from Wesco, Northwest and Kingco must be flexible

Former Archbishop Murphy High School stars, Bears cornerback Kyler Gordon (6) and Seahawks right tackle Abraham Lucas (72), prepare for play at Soldier Field in Chicago on Dec. 26, 2024. Though Lucas is likely to return as a starter, Seattle's interior line needs offseason upgrades. (Photo courtesy of Edwin Hooper / Seattle Seahawks)
The Seahawks offensive line needs work

A mix free agency and draft could lead to upgraded interior.

UW men stumble in second half, fall to Nebraska

The three-pointers that fell so frequently — and from a… Continue reading

Edmonds-Woodway’s William Alseth dribbles the ball down the court during the game against Shorewood on Tuesday, Feb. 4, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds-Woodway boys basketball enters playoffs on high note

The Warriors never let up in 63-43 win vs. Shorewood on Tuesday to secure Wesco South 3A/2A title

Prep basketball roundup for Tuesday, Feb. 4

Parker powers Seagulls to district berth.

Kraken rally to force overtime, fall in shootout

Streaking Red Wings too much for young Kraken lineup that showed some promise.

Slivertips’ Clarke Schaefer tries to maneuver around Medicine Hat’s Josh Van Mulligen during the game on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tips Week in Review: Everett splits slate in high-scoring week

The Silvertips were outscored 24-18 in four games this week, losing two to the next-best WHL teams

Everett Silvertips’ Landon DuPont during the game against the Medicine Hat Tigers on Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tips’ DuPont becomes first rookie D to score 50 points in 35 years

The 15-year-old star defenseman joined Scott Niedermayer in exclusive company with an assist Sunday.

Mariners general manager Jerry Dipoto believes players like Jorge Polanco (7) will enjoy bounceback seasons in 2025. (Alika Jenner / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Despite quiet Mariners offseason, Jerry Dipoto confident

With the pre-spring training luncheon and news conference no longer an annual… Continue reading

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Jan. 26-Feb. 1

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Jan. 26-Feb. 1. Voting closes… Continue reading

Monroe’s Halle Keller drives to the hoop during the game against Snohomish on Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025 in Monroe, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Monday, Feb. 3

Stanwood, Snohomish, Monroe girls dominate.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.