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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Doughnut Duty Aside, Galloway’s Like A Vet Seahawks’ Receiver A Sure Rookie-Of-The-Year Candidate

John Clayton Tacoma News Tribune

For a few seconds Sunday, Joey Galloway felt like royalty.

Jaguars fans were stunned by his 86-yard reverse for a touchdown, the longest run in Seahawks history and the longest run in the NFL this season. In the end zone, Galloway pounded his chest and made his “I’m the man” proclamation.

On the sideline, teammates praised him.

“The rookie-of-the-year things came up quite a bit on the bench,” Galloway said. “A lot of people came up and said, ‘Great play, way to make a play.’ I can’t remember what Eugene Robinson was saying. I think he might have been saying, ‘You’re the man.”’

On Monday, life was back to normal for the Seahawks’ rookie-of-the-year candidate. Teammates once again treated him like a rookie. Strength coach Dana LeDuc demanded the presence of all rookies - Galloway included - for a 6:30 a.m. bus ride to their weightlifting workout.

“I was up bright and early drinking coffee,” Galloway said. “I’m still a rookie. I have six games left of being a rookie.”

On most teams, rookies fight losing battles for respect. Despite his first-year success, Galloway suffers the same treatment.

“I had doughnut patrol two weeks ago,” Galloway said of the weekly tradition of a rookie buying doughnuts for veterans. “I had it the first week. Now that I did it a second time, I’m done with doughnuts the rest of my life. That’s it. Then you deal with being in line to get your ankles taped. And people like Cortez Kennedy walk in front of you, or Chris Warren jumps in front of you, or Brian Blades.

“By the time all of that happens, maybe you feel like you don’t need your ankles taped. Next year, that’s not going to happen. I might be wrestling ‘Tez’ for getting on the table.”

If Galloway continues playing like he has of late, Kennedy, Warren and Blades might consider granting him rookie immunity. He had a club-record 89-yard punt return two weeks ago against the New York Giants. He’s had two 100-yard receiving games.

Sunday’s 200 combined offensive yards vaulted him into the heat of the rookie-of-the-year competition - which is mostly focused within the AFC. Three of the top seven players for combined yards in the conference are rookies. Denver Broncos halfback Terrell Davis is third with 1,012; New England Patriots halfback Curtis Martin is fifth with 942, and Galloway is seventh with 807.

The amazing part about Galloway’s numbers is that he’s a receiver. He has 39 catches and seven rushing attempts, and he’s averaging 17.5 yards every time he touches the ball on offense. Those numbers don’t include the 229 yards he’s added as a punt and kickoff returner.

Seahawks coach Dennis Erickson used Galloway as a kick returner against the Jaguars because of injuries to Steve Broussard and Lamar Smith. That might not happen again.

“I don’t want Joey on the kickoff unit,” Erickson said. “It’s too much for him.”

Galloway missed most of the fourth quarter because of cramps in his groin and calves.

Staying in the sun

The Seahawks stayed in sunny Florida rather than return to rainy Seattle this week for two reasons: to enjoy the better weather and to avoid making a second cross-country flight to the East Coast. They face the Washington Redskins Sunday at RFK Stadium.

“There may be some wives who are happy to have us gone,” coach Erickson said.

In their week in Florida, the Seahawks are practicing and use the weight room at Fletcher High School in Jacksonville. They’ll meet at the team hotel.

“I don’t think this week hurts anything,” Erickson said. “Plus we get a chance to go outside and practice. It’s better than being in a puddle.”

Injury update

Tight end Christian Fauria will miss Sunday’s game because of a sprained medial collateral ligament…. Backup tight end Carlester Crumpler is questionable because of a pulled groin… Erickson doubts whether fullback Steve Smith (back) and defensive end Michael McCrary (knee) will play against the Redskins… Broussard (hamstring) and strong safety Robert Blackmon (hamstring) should be ready for the game.