Watters Puts Move On Trainer Eager Hawks Running Back Joins Practice A Day Early

Ricky Watters practiced for the first time since the Seattle Seahawks training camp opened eight days ago in Cheney and he showed impressive elusiveness.

From the trainer, at least.

“I wasn’t supposed to go until (today), but they accidentally let me put on the pads. I stuck my elbow pads on and I started getting a little itchy,” said Watters, returning from a calf injury.

“The trainer kept coming up and I was like, `I’m good, I’m good, get on out of here, I’m out here with my teammates.”’

Watters brought energy and fresh legs to a practice coach Mike Holmgren labeled as the “most difficult” of training camp because it followed Sunday’s scrimmage. During the regular season, players usually get a day or two off after games.

“He has a lot of work to do and he knows that,” Holmgren said of his starting running back. “We got (linebacker) Darrin Smith back, too. You get those players back and shove ‘em in there and it gives you a little jump.”

Watters, a front-runner for president of the West Coast Offense Fan Club after excelling in the system in San Francisco and Philadelphia, understands why it takes time for newcomers to learn the schemes.

“It’s very, very, very hard. You can see things churning in their heads and the light bulb dimming out because it is so much,” Watters said. “When you think you’ve grasped it, you say, `I got it,’ there’s a whole new part. People don’t understand we have one set of offense on the field, when we get in the red zone we have a whole new offense, and then you’ve got your 4-minute, your 2-minute offense. It’s a tremendous amount for the defense.”

Seattle has installed most of its playbook, but is saving a few wrinkles, Watters said.

“Everything is full speed out here, even if you’re just going in motion. We’re trying to put pressure on the defense. You saw a nice little glimpse of some of it (during Sunday’s scrimmage) with all those crossing routes. One person might be vacating (an area), and then this guy is coming in right behind. Nobody can be lagging.”

King (gone) for another day

With 25 of 31 first-round draft picks signed, Lamar King’s absence at training camp continues to be something of a mystery. He was the 22nd selection overall and every player drafted after him has signed.

No. 20 Ebenezer Ekuban, a defensive lineman, agreed to five years, $5.65 million with Dallas. No. 24 Reggie McGrew, also a defensive lineman, has signed for seven years and $7.4 million, including a $2.5 million signing bonus with the San Francisco 49ers.

“Phillip Daniels has been hurt. If Lamar was in camp, he’d get all that playing time and be ready to go,” Holmgren said. “Right now, Lamar should be getting a little nervous because now he’s starting to slip behind everybody and you can’t allow that to happen with a young player.” Meanwhile, Seattle remained at a standstill with holdout receiver Joey Galloway, who wants his contract reworked so he will be among the highest paid receivers in the NFL.

In search of …

For the second straight year, Melissa Hayfield visited camp on behalf of her Seahawk-crazy brother, Greg Gappert, of Panama City, Fla. Armed with detailed instructions from her brother (“Black ink on pictures,” she says), Hayfield rounded up Chad Brown, Shawn Springs, Cortez Kennedy and Brock Huard, among others, to autograph miniature helmets, pictures and footballs. Gappert is adamant that signatures are penned on precise locations.

“We always get all the guys he wants because they (Seahawks public relations) help me,” Hayfield said. Hayfield’s reward? Gappert is buying sis a new stereo.

Notes

Asked if he was worried about the defense surrendering 400-plus yards in Sunday’s scrimmage, Holmgren said: “No, I expect that every time we go out and play offense. I don’t care who we’re playing.” Perhaps that’s because Holmgren is an offensive-minded coach, was the reporter’s follow-up: “I’m not an offensive guy anymore. I’m a head coach. (Pause for comedic effect). In fact, I’m general manager and executive vice president.” … Several players sat out Monday, including safety Darryl Williams (knee), cornerback Shawn Springs (groin), center Kevin Glover and tackle Howard Ballard. Running back Ahman Green (quad) could make his training camp debut today. … Fullback Mack Strong suffered a high ankle sprain in Sunday’s scrimmage. “We’re going to let that calm down,” Holmgren said… . Two days after Mark Collins retired, the Seahawks reinforced the safety position by signing Ryan Sutter, a 6-foot, 207-pound safety from the University of Colorado. Sutter was drafted by Baltimore last year and was released recently by Carolina.