‘House’ Stands Tall Ballard Sets A Good Example For Seattle’s Young Linemen

As Howard “House” Ballard walked to the locker room after Wednesday’s training-camp practice, his right knee squeaked with every stride.

Actually, it was just his knee brace crying out for WD40.

If his knee could talk, it would describe pain in excruciating detail. It wouldn’t, however, get Ballard to listen.

“I’m decent physically,” Ballard said. “Mostly what I hear about the knee is that it’s an old-age problem. There’s nothing they can really do. It’s just something I have to live through and work through.”

Each season the Seahawks wonder if Ballard’s arthritic knee will hold up. Each year he responds by playing nearly every down at right tackle.

Sometimes his steps back to the huddle are so calculated, it’s as if he’s trying to avoid certain blades of grass which might cause additional distress.

Then the next play unfolds and Ballard clears a running lane by walling off a swift defensive end.

“Last year, he was our most consistent guy,” said Gregg Smith, offensive line coach.

“Nothing flashy, no pancake blocks. He just makes very few mental mistakes.”

“He knows how this game is supposed to be played,” center Kevin Mawae said. “It’s kind of funny to watch him because he struggles through the week just to walk and on Sunday, he gets the job done. Guys respect him for that.”

That respect grows when teammates talk about Ballard as a person.

He is the level-headed veteran on a talented but young line that will become greener should Walter Jones, a first-round draft pick, report to camp. With four starts in Super Bowls and two in Pro Bowls, Ballard’s advice is eagerly consumed by linemates.

He is Mawae’s golf partner and hunting buddy. Back home in Ashland, Ala., Ballard has donated thousands of dollars to law enforcement agencies, including buying a patrol car.

“He doesn’t get too upset about much, unless guys are slacking on the field,” Mawae said. “He’s not a very good golfer, but that’s why we golf together.”

At 6-foot-6 and 325 pounds, it’s apparent why former Buffalo teammate Cornelius Bennett tagged Ballard with the “House” nickname in 1988.

The “House” has accessories players envy.

“I wish I had his arm length,” Mawae said, “but then I’d be out there playing tackle.”

Ballard might try his hand at coaching after his career. But nobody, not even Ballard, knows when that will be.

“Even Warren Moon, who has played 20 years, knows that it’s coming to an end,” Ballard said. “I still love the game, the competition, trying to be the best you can at your position and the team trying to be the best in the NFL.”

He has read articles on retired NFL linemen who are virtually crippled. Yet, he doesn’t worry about his post-playing future.

“I pray every day and hope God looks after me and the other players to make it through injury-free,” Ballard said. “God has looked after me. Being hurt is a little less than being injured.”

Thus far, the hurt in his knee isn’t severe enough to sideline him.

“I’m old for the job I do in the NFL at 33,” Ballard said. “I do a lot more things, work on smaller muscles, fine tune my technique because my athletic ability isn’t quite to the point it was four, five years ago.

“Now, I’ve got to go out and be smart and put myself in position to take care of guys that are quick, fast and weigh 290, 300 pounds.

“And if you win, the aches and pains aren’t as tough as when you lose.”

No complaints

Frank Beede admits he came into Seahawks training camp expecting to be a backup.

Oh, well. He’ll just have to settle for trying to win the starting job at right guard.

He’s not complaining.

“I was expecting to be a backup like I was last year in the second half of the season, especially with Walter Jones coming in,” Beede said. “I just found out (Wednesday) it was my job to try to win. It’s been a good feeling.”

The hard-nosed Beede has worked with the No. 1 offense the last few days in Cheney. He’s battled defensive tackle Sam Adams, who has been virtually unblockable, and had some success. Earlier this week, he shredded Adams’ No. 98 jersey during a drill.

Beede had been backing up Kevin Mawae at center before moving the yard or two to guard. There, Beede is competing with James Atkins.

“There are things I need to get down, like my steps, positioning on defensive tackles and linebackers,” Beede said. “It’s still a little new to me.”

Atkins will start Saturday’s preseason game against Minnesota, but Beede will handle the second series. Then, they’ll continue to alternate possessions.

“That way they’re going against the same guys all the time and we can evaluate them a little better,” coach Dennis Erickson said. “We’ll just let them battle the next three or four weeks and see what happens.”

Camp sights

Seattle leaves today for Canton, Ohio, site of Saturday’s game. The Hawks will have a brief morning walk-through before departing… . Quarterback Jim Arellanes, a rookie from Fresno State who has been mostly a spectator, performed well when given a series. He completed three straight passes. Later, though, he was intercepted by Bennie Blades, who snagged the ball away from fullback Oscar Gray in the end zone.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: House rules Howard Ballard nears his 10th NFL season having missed no games and only a few plays. With Seattle: Year Plays missed 1996 *21 1995 0 1994 1 *-all in one game