Mora takes reins at first minicamp

RENTON, Wash. – The first practice of Jim Mora’s tenure as head coach of the Seattle Seahawks included several new faces and some unexpected guests.

Unexpected butterflies, anyway.

The 47-year-old head coach admitted after Tuesday’s opening of minicamp that he had some rookie jitters.

“There’s always that anxiety, that anticipation, on your first day on the grass with the team. So I had the butterflies,” Mora said after a practice that lasted more than 90 minutes. “It was just a great Seattle day, and it was great to be out here coaching.”

So when did the butterflies dissipate?

“They really haven’t yet,” Mora said Tuesday afternoon.

For the third time in eight days, an era in Seattle sports began.

One day after Don Wakamatsu’s regular-season debut as manager of the Mariners, and a week after Steve Sarkisian led the University of Washington football program into spring practice, Mora ran his first practice as head coach of the Seahawks.

This union felt more like a renewal of vows than any first-time marriage. Not only had Mora already served three seasons as an NFL head coach (with Atlanta from 2004-06), but he also spent the past two with the Seahawks (as defensive backs coach).

Perhaps that’s why longtime quarterback Matt Hasselbeck looked around in a state of surprise when he was reminded that former coach Mike Holmgren was not on the practice field.

“There’s a lot of new,” Hasselbeck said with a shrug. “Everything’s new.”

Because Mora is entering his first season as Seahawks coach, the league allows for a predraft camp designed to help players and coaches get comfortable with each other.

Tuesday’s session included schematic changes on both sides of the ball, leaving even some veterans with that first-day-of-school look.

“There’s been a lot of studying. I’m bringing my playbook home every night,” said Hasselbeck, who added that new offensive coordinator Greg Knapp has an entirely new system compared with that of Holmgren.

One constant has been tempo – a staple of Holmgren’s teams. Wide receiver Nate Burleson said the practice session was much like those of the past.

“I was with Mike for three years. I appreciated the way he ran a tight ship. And Jim is the same way,” said Burleson, one of several Seahawks who were returning to the field after spending part of the 2008 season on injured reserve. “We had a meeting (Tuesday) morning, and he laid down the law. It was very similar to the way Mike did it.”

Mora’s nerves may have been a factor in a more subdued demeanor.

He said that he was trying to move around the field and watch several positions, adding that he’ll probably get more vocal as he gets more comfortable with his new role.

For some Seahawks, not having Holmgren around made for a different atmosphere.

“You don’t get yelled at as much by the head coach,” guard Rob Sims said of not having an offense-first coach running the show.

“Sometimes it felt like (Holmgren) was breathing down your neck,” second-string quarterback Seneca Wallace said. “Now I feel like I can just go out and play football.”