Seahawks Developing New Math Erickson Hopes Off-Season Additions Equate To Success

The Seattle Seahawks are back for training camp in Cheney with some new faces in tow. Allow Coach Dennis Erickson to make the necessary introductions.

Those gentlemen with their arms folded, wearing coaching shorts and cool sunglasses are seven new assistants. “Adding some coaches has really been positive for us,” Erickson said.

Those two veterans on the offensive line are center Kevin Glover and guard Brian Habib. “They make a big difference as far as experience,” the coach said.

The dude stylishly toting the football is Ricky Watters. “He does things in the offense we need done,” Erickson raved.

That guy booming punts into a cloudless sky is punter Jeff Feagles. “A tremendous addition,” Erickson insisted.

The fella running down running backs is linebacker Darrin Smith, a swift play-maker according to Erickson.

The youngster wearing No. 49 is tight end Itula Mili, a 1997 draft pick who missed last season while rehabilitating a knee injury. Keep an eye on him, Erickson suggested.

The running back who could chase down a Ferrari is third-round draft pick Ahman Green. “It’d be interesting to see him and Joey (Galloway) run the 40,” Erickson noted.

That does it for most of the new arrivals, but one gets the feeling Erickson would really like to introduce starting quarterback, Warren Moon, and first-round draft pick Anthony Simmons, at the first practice Monday morning at 8:45 at Eastern Washington University.

However, Moon, scheduled to make $550,000 this season, wants a bit of a raise - somewhere in the neighborhood of $4 million or more. Seattle reportedly has offered an incentive-laden $3 million deal to reward Moon’s Pro Bowl-MVP season.

Seahawks officials expect Moon to report on time, but Moon likely won’t be in Cheney until he sees the right figures with the decimal point in the proper location.

Simmons, expected to challenge Dean Wells for starting middle linebacker, remains unsigned.

Nonetheless, the Seahawks sound pretty darn pleased with their off-season work. NFL training camps, of course, are the equivalent of major-league baseball’s spring training - where optimism rules and lineups on paper appear solid. However, those high hopes often disintegrate, as was the case last year in Seattle’s sluggish-starting, injury-infested 8-8 season.

The ‘98 Seahawks believe they’ll be good on paper and on the field.

“There’s such an urgency on our team,” Erickson said.

“We’re surrounded by players. My first and second years here we didn’t have a lot of really good players. Now, as you look at the guys you’re playing with, you know that if you do your job and are accountable, you know the other guy is going to get it done and that gives you a tremendous chance to win.”

Randy Mueller, vice president of operations said, “This is probably the most talented team we’ve had in a long time. It’s a team built for the long haul.”

Additional construction will take place in the sweltering heat at EWU, Seattle’s address until Aug. 13.

Topping the camp agenda, other than resolution of Moon’s situation, are several position battles and the comebacks of players coming off injuries.

Moon is the unquestioned starter. John Friesz, whom Moon unseated, enters camp as No. 2, narrowly ahead of Jon Kitna, whose stock is rising.

Friesz lost the starting job when he broke his thumb in last year’s season opener. Kitna started one game when Moon was injured and produced a victory over Oakland.

“We’re going to make it as fair as we can to see where that’s at,” Erickson said.

Carlester Crumpler emerged as the most consistent tight end a year ago, moving past Christian Fauria on the depth chart. Mili’s presence should heighten competition.

The 230-pound Simmons is a tad undersized at middle linebacker, but has above-average speed and big-play potential. The veteran Wells is a steady tackler.

Coaches feel Jay Bellamy can replace safety Bennie Blades, who retired after being injured last season. Free-agent signee Mark Collins and second-year pro Eric Stokes are possible options.

Wide receiver Brian Blades, Bennie’s brother, also missed a chunk of ‘97 due to injuries. The 11-year pro is back, but at what level of effectiveness?

“We’ll kind of have to feel that out,” Erickson said.

Backup linebacker/long snapper Jason Kyle returns after missing last year with a torn rotator cuff.

Sometime in late December, Erickson would like to make one more introduction: Seahawks fans, meet the playoffs. It hasn’t happened for the franchise since 1988.

“We’re excited about getting to Cheney,” Erickson said. “We’ve got a great chance to get in the playoffs.”

Graphic: Seahawks training camp