Coug alums are hopeful

For three former Washington State Cougars turned undrafted free agents, motivation and reality checks are everywhere they look at Seahawks training camp.

Isaac Brown, Sammy Moore and Joey Hollenbeck understand the numbers don’t stack up in their favor. But every year, one or two long shots defy the odds and make the final roster. See Kerry Carter and Tracy White, training camp 2003. See D.D. Lewis, training camp 2002.

Or, for an example Brown, Moore and Hollenbeck are acutely familiar with, see WSU football. Seldom picked among the Pac-10 elite, WSU has strung together three consecutive 10-win seasons, a golden era of Cougar football.

“The only thing I can do here is take care of my part,” said Moore, a receiver who had 1,633 all-purpose yards last season for WSU, following Monday’s opening practice at Eastern Washington University. “And that’s playing hard and trying to make plays. I understand I can’t control all that other stuff. I have to push that stuff to the side.”

Brown and Hollenbeck, who finished at WSU in 2001, are in new positions as they try to impress Seahawks coaches. Brown has moved from defensive end to outside linebacker. Hollenbeck, a guard for as long as he’s played football, is now a center.

“I’m playing strong side (linebacker), it’s the closest thing to defensive end you can have at linebacker,” Brown said. “I’m trying to use the skills I showcased at Washington State and hopefully I can learn more here and be ready to go.”

Since leaving WSU, Hollenbeck has been in camps with St. Louis and Buffalo. He signed with Seattle in January and was allocated to NFL Europe to begin his adjustment to center.

“I was in Buffalo last year and it was good, but it didn’t work out. Every camp is a little different but you learn a lot about the speed of the game, the players and the systems,” said Hollenbeck, who played for Amsterdam in NFL Europe. “Europe definitely helped me. I love playing center now and I’m enjoying the opportunity to learn something different.”

The key for undrafted free agents is to somehow make an impression on the coaches, perhaps via blocking or special teams play.

“I’ve just told them to give it everything they have to try to make it,” said cornerback Marcus Trufant, an ex-Cougar and Seattle’s first-round pick a year ago. “You have to try to do something to catch the coach’s eye.”

Moore was trying to do just that, running a slant pattern against Trufant but the pass went to the opposite side of the field. Were you open, Sammy? “Halfway,” he smiled.

Undrafted free agents typically have to overcome limited opportunities. Most of the reps go to first- and second-team players.

“You just have to stay in tune mentally with what’s happening on the field and when you get your chance just go out and run as fast as you possibly can,” said Brown, who has added a few pounds to reach 232. “I was fast at defensive end, but it’s a totally different game out here. I’m constantly working on my feet and my speed, but a lot of it has to do with your eyes. As long as you can read what’s going on, you can react.”

Brown, who briefly played linebacker early on at WSU, was known for making plays and providing commentary in the process. He’s not about to change now.

“I’m laid back a little more now,” said Brown, drawing chuckles from standing nearby. “I’m just trying to learn stuff out here, but once we get the pads on I’m the same old Isaac. I’m going to start chirping a little bit and hopefully I can use that to my advantage.”

Any advantage is important when you’re “running up hill,” as head coach Mike Holmgren referred to the challenge facing undrafted free agents.

“It’s just tough, but every team has a couple that beats the odds,” Holmgren said. “Look at D.D. Lewis. There’s an example of a guy that worked really hard, earned a spot on special teams and we rewarded him with a three-year contract. And he deserves it.

“My whole thing is don’t count the numbers – ‘Oh, there’s eight at this position and they’re only keeping five.’ Don’t do that. Just come in and be the best player you can be, do everything you can do, and trust us to make an honest, thoughtful decision on who should be on the team. If they do that, they should have no regrets, no matter what happens.”

On hold

Holmgren estimated that defensive end Grant Wistrom (plantar fascitis) could miss the first two weeks of camp. The team is being cautious with Wistrom and the time frame for his return could change.

Wide receiver Koren Robinson (sore hip) did some conditioning drills and might rejoin practice in a couple days. He had an MRI on Sunday.

Offensive tackle Wayne Hunter (wrist) might miss two weeks.

First-round draft pick Marcus Tubbs remains unsigned, but Holmgren doesn’t anticipate a lengthy delay. Tubbs, a defensive tackle from the University of Texas, is also dealing with an illness in his family.

Notes

With Walter Jones absent due to a contract dispute and Wayne Hunter on the mend, Floyd “Pork Chop” Womack filled in at left tackle, though his long-term position figures to be guard… . Minus Wistrom, Antonio Cochran worked with the first unit at right defensive end.