KIRKLAND – Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes was in an area hospital Monday with an unknown condition.
“He complained of some sickness (on Sunday), and our doctors put him in the hospital,” coach Mike Holmgren said after Rhodes, 54, was absent at an afternoon practice. “They’re doing a series of tests in the next couple days. We hope it’s nothing serious, but we’re being very careful with him.”
Linebackers coach John Marshall performed Rhodes’s coordinating duties at practice.
The scene was eerily reminiscent of the 1999 season, when then-linebackers coach Jim Lind had to take over for ailing defensive coordinator Fritz Shurmur.
Shurmur was diagnosed with liver cancer and passed away two weeks before the regular-season opener.
Holmgren cautioned reporters not to speculate on Rhodes’ condition.
“We don’t know,” he said. “I’m waiting to hear from the doctors.”
When asked about Rhodes’ availability for Sunday’s opener at Jacksonville, Holmgren said: “Let’s just wait on that and make sure what’s written and what’s said is correct.”
In depth: The Seahawks’ unofficial depth chart, which was passed out to reporters on Monday, included only one minor surprise.
Veteran Itula Mili was listed as the starting tight end, ahead of Jerramy Stevens.
The depth chart also confirmed two starters that were assumed after training camp battles. Rookie Lofa Tatupu will start ahead of Niko Koutouvides at middle linebacker, and Andre Dyson is listed ahead of Kelly Herndon at cornerback.
The depth chart is by no means official, meaning starting jobs could change in the coming days.
Practice squad established: Five players who spent training camp with the Seahawks were added to their eight-man practice squad on Monday.
Guard Doug Nienhuis and linebacker Cornelius Wortham were draft picks, while running back Marquis Weeks and tight end Calen Powell, a product of Lake Washington High School in Kirkland, were undrafted free agents. Cornerback B.J. Tucker played in NFL Europe.
The other three players signed to the practice squad were defensive end Quinn Dorsey, who was released by the Chicago Bears on Aug. 30, offensive lineman Thatcher Szalay, who was released by the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, and wide receiver Kendrick Starling, who was released by the Houston Texans on Aug. 30. All three players spent part of the 2004 season on NFL practice squads.
Bringing the heat: As if weekend forecasts of temperatures approaching 90 degrees weren’t enough to make the Seahawks sweat, Jacksonville head coach Jack Del Rio is hoping to add on to the sweltering misery.
Del Rio said during his Monday press conference that the Jaguars would wear their road white jerseys Sunday, forcing Seattle to play in darker uniforms.
“We’ll be in teal the rest of the year,” Del Rio told reporters in Jacksonville on Monday. “I just thought that a team coming out of the Northwest, why not put them in their dark uniforms?”
The Seahawks have had moderate success playing in Florida, with a 5-5 all-time record in the Sunshine State. Seattle is 3-0 at Tampa Bay, 0-4 at Miami and 2-1 at Jacksonville.
The Seahawks are 2-2 in games played during the month of September in Florida.
Area connections: Sunday’s opponent has plenty of ties to the Seattle area.
Starting wide receiver Reggie Williams and backup right tackle Khalif Barnes were teammates at the University of Washington, while another former Husky, running back Rich Alexis, is on the Jaguars’ practice squad.
Both of Jacksonville’s special teams coaches, Pete Rodriguez and assistant Mark Michaels, used to coach for the Seahawks before getting fired. Rodriguez was Seattle’s special teams coach from 1998 through 2003. Michaels took over for Rodriguez last season but lasted just one year.
Quick slants: Sunday’s game will include a pair of special teamers with similar names. If the Seahawks win the coin toss, there is a good chance Jaguars kicker Josh Scobee could kick off to Seattle return man Josh Scobey. … Wide receiver Peter Warrick, who donned jersey No. 10 when he arrived in Seattle last week, changed to No. 81 after the weekend release of Bobby Shaw. Warrick wore No. 80 in Cincinnati last season. … Joe Jurevicius changed from No. 19 to No. 87.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
