Kirtman allows spotlight to fall on other backs

The background suits Seattle Seahawks rookie fullback David Kirtman just fine.

At USC, Kirtman picked up blitzing linebackers to protect 2004 Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart and supplied lead blocks for 2005 Heisman winner Reggie Bush and 1,300-yard rusher LenDale White. Kirtman often shared the backfield but hardly any of the limelight that went to his high-profile teammates.

“It’s cool, it was good for them to have that and get that exposure like that,” Kirtman said. “I wasn’t in the spotlight so I didn’t have any of that (attention), but it’s cool for college kids to have that.”

Not that Kirtman went totally unnoticed. He was one of 11 Trojans to be selected in the 2006 draft. No other college was in double figures. When Kirtman was drafted by the Seahawks in the fifth round, it made for an interesting phone call from head coach Mike Holmgren, who lives in the same Mercer Island, Wash., neighborhood as Kirtman’s family.

Turns out Holmgren played prep football against Kirtman’s dad, Louis, in San Francisco. When Holmgren was hired by the Seahawks in 1999, he purchased the home of one of Louis Kirtman’s best friends.

Holmgren was well aware of David’s stellar career at Mercer Island High and then followed Kirtman’s career at USC, which is Holmgren’s alma mater.

“Our scouts graded him and put him up there. I wouldn’t have drafted him solely because of the fact that he’s my neighbor, I want everyone to know that,” Holmgren said. “He earned it.”

In fact, Holmgren chewed out Kirtman for going the wrong direction on a play during Wednesday’s practice.

“I had to get on his case a little and he’s not the Lone Ranger on this,” Holmgren said. “Rookies come in sometimes and they were great in college, but they don’t know how much they have to study. They have to learn to study off field.”

On the field, Kirtman is trying to learn from starting fullback Mack Strong, a 13-year veteran. Strong has carved out his lengthy career with bruising blocks for the likes of Chris Warren, Ricky Watters and Shaun Alexander. Strong spent most of his collegiate days at Georgia clearing paths for Garrison Hearst.

“He reminds me of myself and the way I made it to the NFL,” Strong said. “He does all the dirty work and he came in with right mind frame that he wants to play on special teams. He has a great work ethic.”

Kirtman is thankful he was drafted by his hometown team, but knows there’s no guarantee he’ll make the final roster. The only guarantee is that he enjoys free rent, for now, at his parents’ Mercer Island home.

“There’s no other situation I’d want to be in. This is a great team and I just want to be part of it,” he said. “It’s whatever I can do to play, that’s been my motto. I don’t need any recognition. I just want to play football and work as hard as I can.”

Official arrival

Four NFL officials visited training camp to go over rules changes for the upcoming season with players, coaches and media. They’ll also work selected parts of practice as well as Saturday’s scrimmage at Woodward Stadium.

Perhaps the biggest rule changes involve instant replay. The referee will have 60 seconds instead of 90 to determine his call once he begins watching replays on the sideline. After 60 seconds, the replay screen will go blank.

Plays in which a runner is ruled down by contact but appears to fumble before hitting the ground can now be reviewed.

Seahawks fans weren’t too thrilled with the officiating in the team’s 21-10 loss to Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XL. Referee Ed Hochuli, who didn’t work the Super Bowl, said he expected to hear a few comments from fans at Thursday’s practice, but for the most part “people were really nice.”

Asked about the offensive pass interference call on Darrell Jackson that nullified a Seattle touchdown, Hochuli said he would make the same call “10 out of 10 times” because Jackson extended his arm and there was separation from the defender.

There were a few catcalls from the crowd and Seahawks defenders during practice when rookie cornerback Kelly Jennings appeared to make an interception near the sideline, but an official ruled Jennings didn’t have control of the ball as he landed.

After several players complained for a few seconds, Holmgren instructed them to get back behind the cones that separate bystanders from the live drills.

Notes

Holmgren anticipates tight end Jerramy Stevens (knee) will practice next week. End Grant Wistrom (shoulder) is expected to return after the first preseason game and the target date for receiver Darrell Jackson (knee) is the third preseason game. Receiver D.J. Hackett (hamstring) could miss 2-3 weeks. … Defensive back Jimmy Williams (ankle) missed practice and running back Josh Scobey (flu) was out for a second straight day. … Bothered by a couple of miscues during practice, Holmgren kept quarterbacks and running backs around for some postpractice work on toss sweeps. “I will bring those guys out there every practice now until they’re 80 years old if they keep fumbling the ball,” Holmgren said.