Linebacker competition heats up

Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren was saying last week that the competition for roster spots at linebacker is one of the more interesting battles of training camp.

Then, as if on queue, two of Seattle’s youngest linebackers forced turnovers in a 34-15 preseason win against New Orleans on Friday. Second-year middle linebacker Niko Koutouvides and rookie LeRoy Hill forced fumbles that Seattle’s offense converted into touchdowns.

“When the back (Deuce McAllister) is being held up like that and you get an arm around the ball, even if he’s holding on tight it’s tough for him when you have a guy on your legs and arms,” Koutouvides said of McAllister’s fumble on the third play from scrimmage.

The depth chart at linebacker isn’t set, in part because of injuries, but the picture should begin clearing up. Rookie middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu returned to practice Sunday after missing more than a week with a sore hamstring. However, projected starting outside linebacker D.D. Lewis (concussion) remains a spectator and Hill tweaked his knee in the morning practice and sat out the afternoon workout. Lewis spent last season on injured reserve with a shoulder injury.

Tatupu is challenging Koutouvides, who started three games last year, including the playoff loss to St. Louis, for the starting job.

“Neither Lofa nor I want this job handed to us,” Koutouvides said. “It’s competitive, that’s what the NFL is all about.”

Koutouvides attended an off-season speed camp with several teammates and he also watched videotape of every game he played last season, documenting areas he can improve.

“Last year the defense was thrown at you so fast that your head is spinning and you’re a rookie,” Koutouvides said. “I was playing my assignment but now I understand the concept of how the offense is trying to attack the defense. I understand formations and personnel and where I can align myself to make big plays.”

Jamie Sharper, who has started all but one game in eight seasons with Baltimore and Houston, figures to start at outside linebacker. He played inside in Houston’s 3-4 scheme.

“My main adjustment is playing on the line a little bit more,” Sharper said. “I’m going against tight ends and fullbacks at the line of scrimmage and I’m not off the ball four or five yards.”

Determining the backups won’t be easy, especially when the impact of special teams is factored into the equation. Seattle kept seven linebackers last season. It doesn’t take long to get to six with presumed locks in Lewis, Sharper, Tatupu, Koutouvides, Hill and Kevin Bentley, who made 17 starts for Cleveland the last two years.

Then there’s Tracy White, who has impressive speed and made eight tackles against New Orleans, and Isaiah Kacyvenski, who filled in as a starter last year when Chad Brown and Anthony Simmons were injured. Seventh-round draft pick Cornelius Wortham, sidelined by a hamstring injury, and free agent Terrence Robinson are also in the mix. Solomon Bates, who started three games, was released 10 days ago.

“It’s a very competitive situation, it really is,” Holmgren said. “You have a handful of young guys battling for a limited number of spots.”

Backup moves forward

Quarterback Seneca Wallace picked an opportune time to shine. The third-year pro, bidding to retain the backup job behind Matt Hasselbeck, was 12 of 20 for 137 yards and one touchdown and he added a 24-yard TD run in Friday’s win. His passing stats would have been even better if not for a couple of drops by receivers.

Wallace looked comfortable. He scrambled when necessary, but more often he showed poise in the pocket and an accurate arm.

“The offensive line gave me some good protection and the (running) backs stepped up and had some good pass protection as well,” he said. “I just wanted to make sure I went through my reads and progressions correctly.”

Wallace made New Orleans pay on a blitz by rolling away from pressure and sprinting down the sidelines. He wasn’t touched until he closed in on the goal line.

“I could have helped myself by checking to a different protection, but I knew (the linebacker) was coming,” Wallace said.

Wallace put into motion some advice he received from Warren Moon, former Seahawks quarterback who is a radio analyst on Seattle’s regular-season games.

“Warren just said, ‘Be comfortable, you’ve come really far in your third year… play like you’ve been playing in camp.’ “

New view

Defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes called plays from the sideline instead of the coaches’ booth Friday. The move allowed Rhodes to make substitutions quickly and address the entire defensive unit.

“He gets kind of excited down there; he bumped into me way too much during the game,” Holmgren joked. “If he wants to do this and he thinks it’s best for his defense and he’s comfortable with it then we’ll do it.”

Notes

Running back Maurice Morris, who had been out with a tender hamstring, returned to practice. Defensive tackle Cedric Woodard (knee) participated in a few drills for the first time at camp. Cornerback Andre Dyson, who suffered a stinger versus New Orleans, saw limited duty. … Tight end Ryan Hannam dropped a pass, but made a nice recovery a few plays later with a one-handed reception, seemingly pulling the ball off linebacker Bentley’s shoulder pad. … Guard Steve Hutchinson had company at camp. His parents, who work at Yellowstone Park during the summer months, watched practice.