Seahawks Starting Trek To Eastern Some Personnel And Equipment Make 300-Mile Jaunt To Site
Dennis Erickson concluded his pre-training camp address to Seattle media by slipping on his tour-guide hat.
“See you in Cheney,” the Seattle Seahawks football coach said, gesturing east. “It’s just 300 miles straight across.”
Some Hawks personnel already have made the drive. Moving trucks left Seattle on Wednesday morning with video equipment and other camp necessities and were expected in Cheney by the afternoon.
Their load is lighter than previous training camps in Cheney because upgrades have made Eastern Washington University’s weight room top-notch. Before, the Hawks used a makeshift outdoor weight room - with much of their own equipment - covered by tents.
Training camp director Rick Thompson was to arrive in Cheney on Wednesday. Executive chef George Sybrant already is setting up the food service operation at EWU’s Tawanka Commons dining hall.
Coaches begin arriving Sunday. Players report Tuesday. Practices begin Wednesday and run through Wednesday, Aug. 13.
About 40 staffers, including coaches, will relocate from the Kirkland headquarters to Cheney, Hawks officials estimated.
The Hawks reportedly are paying EWU about $300,000 for their five-week stay.
“We’re excited about getting over there,” Erickson said. “They’ve got a number of (practice) fields, the weight room is outstanding, the dorms are close.
“Those are the biggest things, plus we have an idea of what the weather is like. It’s going to be warmer weather, so we’ll plan practices accordingly.”
The dollar dance
Seattle hasn’t signed first-round draft picks Shawn Springs and Walter Jones, which is making Erickson a tad nervous. Jones is expected to start at left tackle and Springs at cornerback.
“It’s always the same every year, it’s the posturing period right now,” Erickson said. “It’s important that we get them in so that they don’t miss much time. We’re talking about a guy (Jones) who is going to play left tackle. If he misses too much, we might have to move (James) Atkins back there and go with the lineup we had last year.
“It’s the same thing with Shawn. We’ve got him pencilled in, but if he misses too much practice …”
Friesz first-rate
Erickson reiterated that John Friesz is the No. 1 quarterback. Friesz won the job from Rick Mirer last season, leading to the trade of Mirer to Chicago.
“John’s No. 1, that’s how it is,” Erickson said. “If things don’t go well, obviously we can make a change. We’ve got a great backup in Warren (Moon) who is very capable of winning games.”
Notes
Having coached at the University of Miami, Erickson is accustomed to lofty expectations. Seattle is in the rare position of facing high expectations this season. “I didn’t come here to go 7-9 and 8-8. We want to get into the playoffs,” he said. … Like Seattle, AFC East teams didn’t stand pat in the off-season. The more prominent moves saw Denver pick up Neil Smith and Willie Green, Kansas City nab Terry Wooden, Elvis Grbac and Brett Perriman, Oakland sign Jeff George and Desmond Howard, and San Diego land Eric Metcalf and William Fuller. “I could pick better divisions to be in if I had a choice,” Erickson said.
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