By Scott M. Johnson
Herald Writer
KIRKLAND – The knee surgery that kept Seattle Seahawks defensive tackle John Randle out of the most recent minicamp is expected to leave him inactive for up to four more months.
Coach Mike Holmgren said Sunday that Randle is recovering well from a procedure to repair a hole in his bone, but that he does not expect the 34-year-old to be back in time for training camp.
“Of all the guys that are nicked up, John will come back the latest,” Holmgren said. “He will be there for the first regular season game, but how much he participates even in the preseason, we are not going to mess around with that.”
Randle injured his knee in a win over the Washington Redskins in November 2001, but only missed one game. He played the final eight weeks of the season on the injured knee before undergoing surgery in the offseason.
John Hilliard, who played defensive end last season but defensive tackle in college, was playing Randle’s position with the No. 1 defense at the weekend minicamp. Free agent signee Brandon Mitchell, another former tackle whom the Seahawks were going to use outside this season, is also seeing time at that position, as is rookie Rocky Bernard.
Spelling Alexander: While Shaun Alexander is entrenched in the starting running back position, second-round draft pick Maurice Morris still could find playing time next season.
Holmgren said he was impressed with Alexander’s improved receiving ability at the latest minicamp, but Morris was drafted in part because of his skills catching the ball out of the backfield. Morris won’t push Alexander for a starting job, but the next few months could be interesting in terms of which player earns the spot as the third-down back.
Quick slants: Two second-year players who seemed to come into their own during the weekend minicamp were wide receiver Koren Robinson and offensive lineman Pork Chop Womack. Robinson looked faster and more dependable than he was as a 20-year-old rookie in 2001. Womack played both guard spots during the minicamp while Chris Gray recovers from knee surgery, and the Seahawks hope he can push for a starting position at either guard or tackle next season. … The Seahawks wrapped up their minicamp Sunday and won’t practice again until the first two weeks in June. Training camp begins at the end of July at Eastern Washington University.
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