By SCOTT M. JOHNSON
Herald Writer
KIRKLAND – Short kickoffs were the first bad sign, and a missed field goal near the end of Sunday’s win over San Diego may have been the straw that broke the kicker’s back.
Rookie Kris Heppner’s career with the Seattle Seahawks ended Tuesday when his roster spot and placekicking duties were handed over to Washington State University product Rian Lindell.
Heppner, a rookie out of Montana, hit 6 of 9 field goal attempts this season. Coach Mike Holmgren has been frustrated by his kickoffs, and a missed 34-yarder near the end of Sunday’s win over San Diego didn’t help the coach’s confidence in his rookie kicker.
Heppner was signed after a strong training camp, when he showed the coaching staff enough to warrant the release of veteran Todd Peterson. With Peterson rehabilitating a torn adductor muscle, the Seahawks decided to hand the job over to another rookie.
Lindell ranks fourth in WSU history with 206 career points and has a career-long field goal of 52 yards. He hit 12 of 16 field goals last season and all 28 of his point-after tries. Lindell made 64 percent (32 of 50) of his career field goal attempts as a Cougar. He also attended Mountain View High School in Vancouver.
Lindell spent training camp with the Dallas Cowboys, hitting all three of his field goal attempts, but was released before the season began. He was one of two kickers to try out with the Seahawks last week.
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