KIRKLAND – The Seattle Seahawks’ new receiving corps already has one starting spot locked up, and as of Sunday morning the other position looked like D.J. Hackett’s to lose.
Hackett was working as the starting split end, joining new starting flanker Deion Branch with the No. 1 offense. Coach Mike Holmgren said that it could be a permanent promotion.
“Hackett has the inside track right now,” Holmgren said. “Right now, if we were lining up to play a game, Hackett would be there (in the starting lineup). But Hackett hasn’t played long enough, in enough games, to say (the competition) is done. He has to keep getting better.”
Nate Burleson was expected to be Hackett’s chief competition for the starting spot, but all of Sunday’s repetitions with the No. 1 offense went to Hackett.
Hackett said he had not been formally told of his role, adding that his extensive work with the No. 1 offense won’t change his outlook.
“I don’t really try to think about that stuff too much,” he said. “When the games start, if I’m out there, I’m out there to make plays. Whether I’m the first one out there or the last one, I just try to make plays when I’m out there.
“In the end, it really doesn’t matter which person you are (on the depth chart).”
The split end position opened up when Branch moved over to flanker to replace the departed Darrell Jackson.
Hackett had a career-high 45 receptions last season, but he has just eight career starts in the NFL.
“He had a chance to play last year and showed he could do some things,” Holmgren said. “He’s been a big-play guy for us.”
Mora on Vick: Assistant coach Jim Mora was asked about one of his former players after Sunday’s practice, and the ex-Atlanta Falcons coach was careful in his response.
Mora said that he knew little of Michael Vick’s dog-fighting charges, adding that the legal process had not yet run its course: “He’s accused of these things, but he hasn’t been convicted.”
Mora, who coached Vick in each of his three seasons as the Falcons’ head coach, added that he was surprised by the charges.
“That’s not the side of him I saw at all,” Mora said Sunday. “What I saw was a true professional, a kid that cared about his teammates and people in general. He was a hard worker and was always on time, was always there.”
Working overtime: For much of their first season as Seahawks receivers, Branch and Burleson were still trying to find symmetry with quarterback Matt Hasselbeck last fall.
The newcomers continued to work on that throughout the summer, often spending three days a week at the practice facility while running pass patterns and talking strategies with the Seahawks’ starting quarterback.
“It was all about running routes,” Branch said. “We got a lot done.”
Alone no more: Part of linebacker Julian Peterson’s summer vacation included the addition of a family member. Peterson was married on June 30, and he’s already appreciative of the married life.
“It’ll just make me more stable,” Peterson said. “I won’t have to search off the field for stuff to do. This will be great for me.”
While the couple’s one-month anniversary is today, Julian and Aimee Peterson won’t be spending it together. She’s still back in Atlanta while he attends training camp. Aimee won’t move to the Seattle area until late next month.
“We really don’t have any family out here, so I let her stay on the East Coast and be with the family a little bit longer,” Peterson said. “She’ll be back out here toward the end (of training camp), near the third or fourth game of the preseason.”
Quick slants: As part of a plan to ease them back into the routine following offseason surgeries, offensive lineman Floyd Womack (knee) and safety Mike Green (foot) participated in the morning practice but took the afternoon off. … Rookie linebacker Will Herring, a fifth-round pick, made impressive plays at both practices. He jumped up to smother a Derek Devine pass in the morning, and then tipped Seneca Wallace’s throw in the afternoon for a C.J. Wallace interception.
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