KIRKLAND – A hamstring injury has slowed top pick Marcus Tubbs, and a position change has bogged down the transition of second-round choice Michael Boulware. But the Seattle Seahawks have already seen some early returns from the rookie class of 2004.
Third-round pick Sean Locklear, an offensive lineman from North Carolina State, got extended playing time with the No. 1 unit in the past two preseason games, while Purdue middle linebacker Niko Koutouvides, a fourth-round choice, made quite a statement in Friday’s win over San Diego.
Locklear more than held his own in his second start at left tackle Friday, following up a less-than-impressive performance in his starting debut. Locklear was strong in both run blocking and pass protection, although he did give up a third-quarter sack to blitzing linebacker Steve Foley.
“He’s coming along,” offensive line coach Bill Laveroni said. “He’s fortunate that he’s getting a lot of snaps. Not all young players get as many snaps as he did, and there’s nothing better than experience for a young player. “
With Chris Terry returning to the starting lineup at right tackle, Floyd Womack has moved over to left tackle until Walter Jones reports. That means that Locklear has probably seen his best opportunity to show the coaches what he can do.
“He’s not a finished product,” Laveroni said. “But the best part about him is his work ethic. He’s trying, and his effort’s been really good.”
Koutouvides, making his first start as part of a three-man rotation at middle linebacker, made a case for himself with a three-tackle performance. His most impressive play came on a first-quarter drive, when Koutouvides ran over Pro Bowl fullback Lorenzo Neal to help thwart a reverse.
“I had to do what I had to do and make sure my teammates knew they could count on me,” Koutouvides said. “I thought I did pretty good, but there’s always room for improvement.”
Koutouvides is battling Orlando Huff and Solomon Bates for the starting spot.
“They’re making it hard on us, which I asked them to do, to make that decision at middle linebacker,” coach Mike Holmgren said. “It’s very, very close at that position.”
Huff is expected to start Thursday against Minnesota, but all three will play. The coaching staff will decide after that who earns the starting job.
Waiting on Walt: Franchises are slowly getting their franchise players back.
Julian Peterson signed a one-year tender and reported to the San Francisco 49ers last week. Baltimore’s Chris McAlister reported to his team Monday, Oakland’s Charles Woodson did the same Tuesday, and St. Louis tackle Orlando Pace is rumored to be next.
So where’s Walter Jones?
The Seahawks’ Pro Bowl left tackle probably won’t report until next Monday, which would follow his pattern from last season. He has yet to sign a one-year tender after the team franchised him for the third consecutive time last February.
Asked about Jones’s situation earlier this week, Holmgren didn’t sound overly concerned.
“I haven’t seen him,” Holmgren said jovially.
Empty promise? Following an 81-yard punt return from San Diego rookie Wes Welker on Friday, Holmgren challenged his special teams to show more effort.
He told the media Monday that the lackluster performance on that return would undoubtedly cost people some jobs this week.
Wednesday arrived, and not a single Seahawk who had been on the field for Welker’s return had been cut.
Huff, Koutouvides, Damien Robinson, Jordan Babineaux, Kerry Carter, Michael Harden, Heath Evans, R.J. Luke, Josh Whitman, J.P. Darche and Tom Rouen were still around when the Seahawks’ first round of cuts went down.
Quick slants: The Seahawks made two more roster moves Tuesday, placing D.D. Lewis on the injured list and waiving Jernaro Gilford to get down to the roster limit of 76 players. Teams had until Tuesday to trim to 65 players, not including NFL Europe exemptions and players in the international development program. Seattle has 10 NFLE exemptions plus Christian Mohr, who is in the international development program. Mohr, a defensive end from Germany, is guaranteed to be on the team this season but won’t count against the 53-man roster. … Mill Creek gymnast Brett McClure is scheduled to be one of three Olympians to raise the 12th Man flag at the Seahawks-Vikings game Thursday. McClure will join Bremerton swimmers Tara and Dana Kirk in the pre-game ceremony.
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