RENTON — Pete Carroll has preached competition since his first day as the Seahawks head coach, and of the many players who have bought into that message, perhaps none made more of his opportunities than wide receiver Ben Obomanu.
And after his breakout season five years into his NFL care
er, Obomanu was rewarded with a three-year contract extension, which was announced by the team Friday. Terms of the deal were not released. Obomanu, a seventh-round pick in 2006, had never started a game before this season, and was primarily used on special teams. Nearly every year in training camp, Obomanu has endured questions about his chances of even making the team.
Midway through the season, however, Obomanu unseated Deon Butler in the starting lineup and went on to post career-high numbers of 30 catches, 494 yards and four touchdowns. In his previous four seasons, one of which was spent on injured reserve, Obomanu had a total of 15 catches for 214 yards and one touchdown. His yardage total in 2010 ranked second only to Mike Williams, and Obomanu tied with Butler for the team lead in receiving touchdowns.
“One of the great stories is Ben Obomanu,” Carroll said early in the week before the extension was announced “There was a time when Ben was the fifth receiver, fourth receiver, a special teams guy, and he had been working real hard. There was just an opportunity there. The thought came up, ‘Let’s give Ben a chance, let’s see what he’s doing. He’s been working hard, he’s been doing everything we want.’ … He kept hanging in there and was so consistent and would not give in and say, ‘OK, I’m a backup.’ He kept fighting to be the best that when he finally got his chance he proved it, which is the most powerful statement a person or a player can make.”
Obomanu is the third player the Seahawks have signed to an extension this season joining linebacker David Hawthorne, who signed a one-year deal in November, and receiver Mike Williams, who signed a three-year deal earlier this month.
Tatupu questionable
Middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu, who suffered a concussion in Saturday’s win over New Orleans, returned to practice Friday, though he has not yet been cleared to play by doctors.
“Lofa practiced today,” Carroll said. “No, he is not officially cleared. The docs still have to weigh in on all this, but he did a good job today and they’re checking him out to see how he was afterwards. But he was fine today and the signs are really good that he’ll play.”
Tatupu was allowed to practice despite not being cleared because Friday’s practice was a walkthrough with no contact and no helmets. He is officially listed as questionable on the injury report and Carroll said they will decide Sunday whether Tatupu can play or not.
If Tatupu, the captain of Seattle’s defense, can’t play, weakside linebacker David Hawthorne will slide over to middle linebacker with backup Will Herring starting in Hawthorne’s spot. Hawthorne started 11 games at middle linebacker last season when Tatupu was out with a torn pectoral muscle.
Tatupu was the only player listed on the injury report due to an injury, but backup center Chris White was also absent from practice for personal reasons. White is listed as probable and Carroll said the plan is for him to meet the team in Chicago.
Herald Writer John Boyle: jboyle@heraldnet.com. For more Seahawks coverage, check out the Seahawks blog at heraldnet.com/seahawksblog
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
