Seahawks finally get a look at their free agents

After waiting nearly a week to practice, Seattle’s free agents had to wait a few more minutes to take the field Thursday. Players like quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, receiver Sidney Rice and guard Robert Gallery, all of whom signed last week, were not allowed to practice until the league’s new collec

tive bargaining agreement was ratified, which all along was expected to happen Thursday. But when the Seahawks took the field for a 1:45 practice, they had not yet gotten word that the deal was finalized and the new players could participate, so the team waited.

Then waited some more.

“We though we were being pranked for a minute with everybody just standing out there with their pads on,” Rice said.

Players went over to the fans seated on the hill next to the practice field and greeted fans and signed autographs, something they’d normally do after a practice. Others stood around or tossed a ball back and forth. Receiver Mike Williams worked on his long snapping. Then, at 2:06 p.m. Pete Carroll was able to gather his team and start its first practice with a bunch of new faces, not to mention free agents like Brandon Mebane and Kelly Jennings who had re-signed but also had to wait.

And after a lengthy lockout, plus an extra week of waiting, a 20 or so minute delay wasn’t so bad, the new players said.

“It wasn’t that odd considering what’s happened the last six months,” said TE Zach Miller, who agreed to terms with Seattle Tuesday. “It wasn’t that surprising to have to wait a few more minutes to go.”

Jackson, who Carroll has already named the starting quarterback, admitted he showed a little bit of rust in his first practice with the Seahawks, but for the most part looked comfortable—as he should given he’s working under the same offensive coordinator he had in Minnesota—particularly when throwing to Rice, his teammate in Minnesota.

The biggest problem Jackson had in his first practice snaps from a new center. Jackson fumbled a few snaps, including one sequence when he fumbled a snap, then a handoff, then another snap on three straight plays.

Not surprisingly, Gallery immediately stepped into the first-team offense at left in his first practice. Gallery, 31, will be a valuable resource for what is otherwise a very young line given that he played for Tom Cable, now Seattle’s offensive line coach, in Oakland.

With the first preseason game happening in only a week, those free agents will have a lot of catching up to do before the team heads to San Diego next week.

“That’ll be tough,” Miller said. “Usually you have 15 days before your first preseason game, so to go in a week really compresses everything. We’re going to have to study a lot and get as many reps as we can, because it’ll come quick.”

This doesn’t relate to the new free agents, but it’s worth pointing out that defensive end Pierre Allen looks like an early candidate to be an undrafted rookie who could make the team. Allen, who played at Nebraska, got reps with the first-team defense with DE Chris Clemons limited by a foot infection.

Talk to us

More in Sports

Washington's Sami Reynolds runs the bases against McNeese during an NCAA softball game on Saturday, May 20, 2023, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Local softball stars Reynolds, Mahler set for WCWS

Washington’s Sami Reynolds (Snohomish) and Stanford’s River Mahler (Monroe) each play prominent roles on their Pac-12 teams.

Alberto Rodriguez.
Rodriguez puts on power display, leads AquaSox to series win

The 22-year-old outfielder mashed 11 extra-base hits, including six home runs, as Everett took five of seven from Eugene.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for May 22-28

The Athlete of the Week nominees for May 22-28 Voting closes at… Continue reading

Daniel Kim, left, and Ben Borgida, right, chat between holes during the Snohomish County Amateur golf tournament at the Everett Golf and Country Club in Everett, Washington on Monday, May 29, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Kim soars to 4-shot win in 92nd Snohomish County Amateur

The WSU freshman and Kamiak graduate’s 12-under final total was the historic tournament’s lowest since at least 2010.

Cooper Cummings from the United States celebrates after winning a men's downhill during the Cheese Rolling contest at Cooper's Hill in Brockworth, Gloucestershire, Monday May 29, 2023. The Cooper's Hill Cheese-Rolling and Wake is an annual event where participants race down the 200-yard (180 m) long hill chasing a wheel of double gloucester cheese. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Arlington High School grad is the big cheese after winning UK race

Cooper Cummings, who grew up in Lake Stevens, defeated a world record-holder in Cooper’s Hill Cheese Rolling and Wake.

Jackson High School is awarded the 2023 WIAA class 4A softball championship trophy in Richland, Wash., on Sat., May 27. (TJ Mullinax/for The Herald)
Jackson wins state title over GP after game called by weather

The Timberwolves win 5-1 to hoist their third state softball trophy since 2018 after a game that ended in unusual fashion.

Lake Stevens’ Grant Buckmiller takes a peek at the clock as he runs to the title in the 4A boys 200 meter dash during the WIAA State Track and Field Championships on Saturday, May 27, 2023, at Mount Tahoma High School in Tacoma, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
State track: Lake Stevens sprinter Buckmiller blazes to multiple titles

Also, Kamiak’s Kalia Estes and Jaedyn Chase claim championships and more on local title winners and state placers.

The Yankees’ Aaron Judge jogs the bases after hitting his second home run of the game a Mariners first baseman Ty France looks on during the sixth inning of a game Monday in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Judge homers twice, Yankees clobber Mariners

Rookie standout Bryce Miller struggles against the New York lineup in Seattle’s 10-4 loss.

X
AquaSox fall to Hops in Memorial Day game

Everett grabs an early lead, but can’t hang on in an 8-4 loss.

Most Read