Erickson Brings Game Into Focus

The job description doesn’t say that I get paid for being contrary.

It’s just one of the peripheral benefits.

In this case, we’re coming out counter to those who have indefatigably rehashed the travails of the Seattle Seahawks - a somewhat star-crossed club that this week’s Sports Illustrated labels “the most troubled team in the NFL.”

They’ve been easy prey, certainly, with problems that far transcended the ordinary NFL mischief and mayhem. The DWI for the new coach. Manslaughter charges for the best receiver.

A player paralyzed in an auto wreck.

The personal tragedies cannot be minimized.

Nor can we ignore the fact that the team’s owners are engaged in the reprehensible - and trendy - sport of holding the teams hostage in exchange for stadium upgrades.

Pigs.

What we’re getting at here, though, is that at 7 Friday night, that all became somewhat old news.

All but one player - guard Jeff Blackshear - showed up at the team’s headquarters for a meeting that kicks off the start of training camp.

Even Brian Blades, facing manslaughter charges in Florida, somehow sneaked past the TV buzzards circling outside the headquarters and made his appointed appearance.

And although Sports Illustrated called the Hawks “Luckless in Seattle,” the view here is that it’s time to start talking about football - not court appearances - and recognize that this is a team on the verge of its best season since the mid-80s.

Coach Dennis Erickson said he saw “bits and pieces” of the SI story in an advance copy. “I could have just read the last one, or the one before that; it’s all the same, just rehashing it,” he said.

“I’ve got to concentrate on what I’m here for; obviously I’m not excited about all those things that came out,” he said. “It’s not something that I like to have happen, but it’s something we’ve got to deal with. We’ve just got to focus on what we have to focus on, that’s what we’re here for.”

Citizenship, gun safety and responsible driving habits would be appreciated as well. But that’s not the current point of discussion.

And Erickson seems to be successful in making sure his capacity to focus is contagious.

As of Friday afternoon, receiver Robb Thomas and Blackshear were the only two players left unsigned.In years past, Chuck Knox and Tom Flores, Erickson’s predecessors, never made statements concerning contract talks with players, considering this a contention between the front office and the agent - and not a province of the head coach.

But there’s no room for that nonsense on Erickson’s watch.

“All I can say to both of those guys is neither one of them has made the team yet,” Erickson said. “My advice is I wouldn’t miss too many practices. They and their agents have got decisions to make, but I’ve got to make decisions on who is going to make this football team and a lot of it has to do with who practices and who doesn’t .”

Message received, loud and clear.

Thomas signed later in the afternoon and was at the meeting, leaving the Hawks - not coincidentally - with fewer holdouts than any season since 1988.

Erickson might also be able to lure former Cheney High and University of Washington star Steve Emtman to the Hawks. A free agent recently waived by the Colts, Emtman visited Denver on Friday and is scheduled to take a peek at the 49ers this morning before landing in Seattle tonight.

Asked what he wants to say to the powerful defensive tackle, Erickson begged, “Come home, Steve, come home.”

If Emtman has much mileage left after a series of injuries in Indianapolis, he could be a perfect fit in a puzzle that could come together in impressive fashion.

There’s a quarterback, Rick Mirer, who could turn into a young Steve Young in an offense that is perfectly suited to his athleticism.

There’s a running back, Chris Warren, who led the conference in rushing despite being the only weapon on the team last year, and who will undoubtedly benefit from the diversion of a passing attack.

There’s a veteran secondary, a rookie receiver who shows great promise, and a defensive line that could be devastating with the possible addition of Emtman.

Yes, the Seahawks have suffered a great deal of misfortune, and been guilty of some spectacularly serious lapses in judgment.

But it’s a team that, come December, finally, could have more wins than troubles.

, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Dave Boling The Spokesman-Review