Sims making steps at camp
When a young lineman, like rookie fourth-round draft pick Rob Sims, has a question, Chris Spencer is happy to help out.
After all, that’s how Spencer got through his rookie season with the Seattle Seahawks last year.
Spencer was drafted in the first round out of Mississippi, the heir-apparent to veteran center Robbie Tobeck, and after seeing limited or special teams action in nine games, he is also practicing at guard.
“Robbie, any questions I had for him, I asked him,” Spencer said. “Watching guys like him and (guard) Chris Gray, that’s a lot of years right there, all you can do is sit back and learn from them… . The new guys come in … any question they have for me, I’m willing to help. If they do something that’s not right, I let them know.”
Sims, a fourth-round pick out of Ohio State, is taking the same approach at training camp in Cheney.
“So far so good,” he said. “Being a rookie, you have your good days and your bad days, you just try to have more good days than bad. So far it’s been like that so I’m happy.
“(Spencer) has helped out tremendously. He knows the offense very well. I’m learning on the fly and just trying to go. He always makes sure I’m going to the right guy. Afterwards he’s always quizzing me.”
Come Saturday night, when the Seahawks play Dallas in a preseason game at Qwest Field, there is a good chance fans may see the linemen of the future lined up side-by-side.
“In this game, in an instant things change,” Seattle offensive line coach Bill Laveroni said. “In a perfect world you would say, ‘OK, Spence, we’re going to get you a few snaps and then you’ll be ready to go down the road. Sims, you’re a brand new young man learning the offense so you’ll take your time before you start playing.’ But if somebody gets hurt, (they) have to be ready to go.
“There is a sense for urgency for all of us. It’s not college any more where young guys can develop… . This is their job, they’re professionals. They have to know what to do now.”
For the 6-foot-3, 309-pound Spencer, a year of experience has made a world of difference and adding a new position has not slowed him down.
“I’m not a rookie any more; I know what’s going on. Now it’s all about playing football,” he said. “That’s what camp is for, to get you ready to go in at both positions… . What’s on my mind is coming out here and doing what I can to get better, knowing what’s going on… . Last year when I came in as a rookie I was nervous … this year I know what’s going on, I have to capitalize to show the coaches I know what’s going on and get the job done.”
His coach has noticed.
“He’s made tremendous improvement,” Laveroni said. “He understands the offense, understands his position… . We all learn at different speeds, myself included. Sometimes with a young player you don’t want to over-burden him with two positions, then he’s not very good at either one. I think it’s good Chris really learned center, it has really helped him at guard.”
For Sims, remembering the advice from his late father, Mickey, who had a brief NFL career, makes a difference.
“The thing he always instilled in me is to keep working, no matter what,” Sims said. “No matter how good you think you are, keep working. It could be over that next play or whatever. He always told me there’s somebody better; keep working to be the best you can be. When I go out there I try to work as hard as I can, no matter what.”
The hardest part is not sharing what he’s learning with his father, whom he used to talk to almost every day before his sudden death on June 7.
“Once in a while I get (down),” Sims said. “Usually that’s something I can work through if I have a bad day. I can work my way out of it … I have a job to do.”
It also helps being part of the offensive line fraternity.
“It’s helped me out quite a bit,” he added. “I can’t look at them like a father figure but just as somebody that knows the situation I’m in and I can talk to about it. If I have an emotional day, if I’m breaking down, they tell me everything is going to be all right.”
And he’s also getting noticed. The 6-3, 307-pounder is listed as the backup left guard behind Floyd Womack.
“Rob Sims has tremendous physical skills and he’s learning a tremendous amount of information,” Laveroni said. “When you’re trying to learn all that information and trying to move quickly, your physical skills slow down. The physical part slows down because you’re thinking. The more you can go through the repetitions and learn the skills and understand the information you have to know, then those skills you have are sharper.”
So things are shaping up for the Seahawks down the road, as long as the young players are aware the road can be short.
“Sometimes a young guy can say, ‘I’m not going to play very much, I just want to make the team,’ ” Laveroni said. “The next thing you know, he’s a starter. I don’t think you ever say five years down the road.”
Camp notes
The first practice after Saturday’s scrimmage was pretty uneventful. The highlight, for the offense at least, was tight end Itula Milli getting wide open for a big gain from Matt Hasselbeck… . Safety Shaunard Harts caused C.J. Jones to fumble after a reception… . Cornerback Lance Frazier and defensive tackle Chuck Darby left practice with injuries but returned. … Defensive back Jordan Babineaux participated in his first practice. He missed the first nine days following shoulder surgery. Holmgren said he would start out at corner back but he could play safety. Also, Holmgren said tight end Jerramy Stevens, who hasn’t practiced because of offseason knee surgery, should start practicing on Wednesday.
Around the league
Redskins safety Sean Taylor was fined four game paychecks by the NFL for violating the league’s personal conduct policy, stemming from an assault case in Miami. … Carolina All-Pro receiver Steve Smith went through agility drills and caught balls on the side during the Panthers’ afternoon workout. … Terrell Owens’ sore hamstring likely will land him on the bench for the Dallas Cowboys’ preseason opener in Seattle, despite an MRI exam over the weekend showing no damage. … The Patriots activated safety Rodney Harrison, defensive lineman Richard Seymour, and center Dan Koppen from the physically-unable-to-perform list. … Giants linebacker LaVar Arrington missed his third consecutive practice with knee swelling.