Torretta Released By The Seahawks

Like many workers, Dennis Erickson dreaded Monday.

Seattle’s head coach had to tell Gino Torretta he was no longer with the Seahawks. Torretta led the Erickson-coached Miami Hurricanes to a co-national championship in 1991. Torretta started four games as a redshirt freshman in the Hurricanes’ 1989 national title season, Erickson’s first in Miami.

“It’s the hardest thing I’ve had to do,” Erickson said. “Gino and I have a very close relationship.”

Still, Torretta’s release wasn’t a surprise. Jon Kitna, who has been excellent in training camp, beat out Torretta, who has been merely good, for the No. 3 quarterback spot.

In three preseason games, Kitna is 20 of 24 for 156 yards and a team-best three touchdown passes. Torretta was 18 of 30 for 177 and one TD.

“I think I’ve only had two days of bad practices,” Kitna said. “The first thing I did was go back to the room and pray for Gino and his next step.”

Kitna and Torretta were road roommates and sat side-by-side on flights. Whoever played first in preseason games shared information with the other.

The quick-footed Kitna, who was on the Seahawks practice squad last season, has made marked improvement since graduating from Central Washington University two years ago. He was the MVP of the World Bowl this summer.

“Kitna is playing really well and we think he’s a guy for the future,” Erickson said. “We released (Gino) early so he could possibly get on with another team.”

The Seahawks must trim to 60 players by Aug. 19.

Movin’ up

Cornerback Shawn Springs and left tackle Walter Jones, the Seahawks’ first-round draft picks, have moved up to the first team. After lengthy holdouts, each reported to camp last week and opened on the second string. Both were impressive in Saturday’s loss to San Francisco.

“For Walter to learn in a 2-1/2-week period (before the season opener), he’s got to be in there every play,” Erickson said. “We made a decision that we were going to play our best five guys (on the line), which includes Derrick Graham.”

Graham has been switched from tackle to starting right guard, where neither Frank Beede nor James Atkins could nail down the position. Pete Kendall is the left guard. Kevin Mawae is at center and Howard Ballard is the right tackle.

Springs’ promotion puts Fred Thomas on the second unit.

Kyle sidelined

Backup linebacker and deep snapper Jason Kyle’s shoulder injury is worse than the early diagnosis. He has a torn rotator cuff and will be out for the season. Originally, he was expected to miss 6-8 weeks.

Reserve center Greg Bloedorn took over deep snaps after Kyle was hurt Saturday. Frank Beede also deep snaps.

Camp sights

Chad Brown, Dan Saleaumua and Matt LaBounty swapped uniform numbers.

Brown is back in No. 94, which he wore for Pittsburgh.

Saleaumua, after several days in 94, returned to the 97 he sported in Kansas City.

LaBounty went from 97 to 99. … The Seahawks practice today at 3 p.m. Wednesday’s final practice in Cheney will run from 8:30 a.m.-10 a.m.

, DataTimes