KIRKLAND – As if any of the Seattle Seahawks need extra incentive for this Sunday’s game at Minnesota, defensive tackle John Randle has reason to make a statement.
The 14-year veteran spent his first 11 seasons with the Vikings, and hasn’t been back there for a game.
The Vikings released Randle following the 2000 season because he wouldn’t take a pay cut. The Seahawks quickly signed Randle to a five-year, $25 million contract, and he went on to make the Pro Bowl in his first season in Seattle (2001).
“It’s a real pleasure for me to have him on my team now for the last couple or three years, and I’m happy,” Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said. “I’m glad it worked out for the club and everything, but having him around just makes me feel better.”
Randle isn’t taking any shots at his former team this week, even though he proved their doubts to be wrong by showing that he had some gas left in the tank. In 2 1/2seasons with the Seahawks, the 35-year-old Randle has 22 quarterback sacks.
“I’m glad to be in Seattle,” Randle said. “I had a great time in the Twin Cities, and it will be fun to be back in the Metrodome again. That’s a loud place, and it will be interesting to be there on the other side of all the excitement. I look forward to seeing all the people and especially Ragnar, the mascot, ride that snowmobile.”
The Minnesota fans will undoubtedly be waiting for Randle, who hasn’t returned to the Metrodome since being released.
“He’s just a legend here,” said Minnesota coach Mike Tice, who also served as Randle’s Vikings teammate in 1992-93. “Every Viking fan loves him. I love him, and I can’t wait to see him. I hope I have fun watching him, but not too much fun.”
Baltimore ref fined: The NFL announced that referee Tom White has been fined $2,600 for a clock gaffe in the Seahawks-Baltimore Ravens game 11 days ago.
The fine stems from a play in which game officials mistakenly stopped the clock with 44 seconds remaining and never restarted it. As a result, the Ravens were allowed to save their final timeout and had an extra 30 seconds or so during their final drive.
Baltimore tied the score on a field goal at the end of regulation, then won 44-41 in overtime.
“Honest to goodness, I would just as soon give them the money back and have the call,” Holmgren said Wednesday. “That would have made me feel better.”
Taco time: Rookie wide receiver Taco Wallace got added to the Seahawks’ active roster this week so the team could sign a practice squad tight end.
Wallace, a seventh-round draft choice, had been on the practice squad but is now eligible to play in games. He is fifth on the Seahawks’ depth chart and is a likely candidate for the seven-man inactive list this Sunday.
Wallace got the official call-up Monday.
“It was late in the season, and I was like, man, I guess I’ll just wait until next year,” said Wallace, who switched uniform numbers from 18 to 87. “But I was still going to give it my all and give the team a good look (in practices).”
The Seahawks have had an extra roster spot since Nov. 14, when defensive tackle Norman Hand was placed on injured reserve.
Rookie tight end Casey Poppinga was added to the practice squad because the Seahawks only had two players at that position: Itula Mili and Jerramy Stevens.
Slim pickings: Nagging injuries and a virus that won’t go away left the Seahawks short-handed for Wednesday’s practice.
Nine players were unavailable, including seven potential starters. Backup quarterback Trent Dilfer and starting tackle Chris Terry were sick, while the injured players included fullback Mack Strong (ankle), offensive lineman Jerry Wunsch (ankle), defensive end Brandon Mitchell (calf), cornerback Shawn Springs (shoulder) and linebackers Anthony Simmons (shin), Chad Brown (foot) and Randall Godfrey (sternum).
Strong, Wunsch and Mitchell are the only ones who appear to be in danger of not playing Sunday at Minnesota.
Dilfer’s absence gave rookie quarterback Seneca Wallace his first extensive action since training camp. Wallace threw a couple nice long balls, including one touchdown to Alex Bannister, who was acting as Minnesota receiver Randy Moss.
Quick slants: Minnesota’s Tice had high praise for the Seattle receiving corps during his Wednesday conference call. “I think they’re better than the top three Ram guys,” Tice said, referring to St. Louis receivers Isaac Bruce, Torry Holt and Dane Looker. “The Rams have two guys; I think Seattle has three. I think (Bobby) Engram is one of the best third-down receivers in the league.” … NFL.com is accepting Pro Bowl votes from the fans until Dec. 12. The fans count one-third of the totals that will determine who goes to Hawaii on Feb. 8. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is currently third in the voting, behind Minnesota’s Daunte Culpepper and Green Bay’s Brett Favre.
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