Heller keeps fire going

The day after the Seattle Seahawks learned starting tight end Jerramy Stevens would be out about six weeks with a knee injury was the same as the day before for free-agent tight end Will Heller.

“I come out here every day with the same mind-set,” Heller said after practice Friday morning at Eastern Washington University. “This is a game people get hurt in, obviously. You have to be prepared to step up when you get your chance. That’s kind of the name of the game – always be prepared to step up when you’re needed. I’m hoping Jerramy is back as soon as possible. He’s a good player – he’s a big part of this team.”

Really, there is no change. The Seahawks are unlikely to make a cut elsewhere to keep a fourth tight end until Stevens returns, even though backup Itula Mili has had health issues in the past.

The 6-foot-6, 265-pound Heller is competing with free agents Keith Willis (6-6, 264) and Matt Murphy (6-5, 268) for the third tight end spot.

“As far as assessing my chances, that’s not something I try to burden myself with,” Heller said. “Some things are out of your control. I honestly believe that you do all you can to show what you can do on the practice field and in games. My focus is to come in and try to improve my game every day and do what I can to help the team.”

That attitude – and the ability to block – earned him a scholarship after walking on at Georgia Tech and a three-year stint with Tampa Bay despite not being drafted.

“I kind of opened the door blocking in college,” Heller said. “I have always taken that walk-on mentality with me wherever I’ve been.”

Blocking could make the difference for Heller, who caught 15 passes in three years with the Buccaneers, as the Seahawks look to replace Ryan Hannam, their best-blocking tight end who signed with Dallas.

“The (three) guys are all in the same spot,” Holmgren said immediately after Stevens went down on Thursday. “They look the same. … They’re all competing, and right now there is very little to choose between them. In fact, I think they’re doing a pretty good job. They get a chance to play in the games now and they’ve got to show because that’s an important position.”

Proving himself is nothing new for Heller.

“It’s obviously never easy, but it’s just the reality of the situation,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity to be here. I look forward to the challenge and, hopefully, I can help the team.

It’s difficult, but what things in life are easy?”

That’s why he refuses to savor his accomplishments.

“I think there will be a time in my life when I’ll be able to sit back and look back at what I may have accomplished, but right now I’m looking to continue this, do whatever I can to keep this thing going,” he said.

“It’s a competitive atmosphere. As soon as you get comfortable in what you’ve accomplished, someone else is working harder than you to beat you out.”

Notes

The Seahawks leave today for Sunday night’s game at Indianapolis. They return to practice Tuesday and break camp after Thursday’s practices. … Holmgren said safety Michael Boulware and defensive back Jordan Babineaux should play against the Colts, but linebacker Lofa Tatupu probably won’t, although he will travel. … Holmgren said quarterback Gibran Hamdan will play. … Robbie Tobeck, Floyd Womack, Darrell Jackson, Marcus Tubbs, D.J. Hackett, Russell Davis, Grant Wistrom and Rocky Bernard will stay in Cheney for treatment. … Stevens had surgery for a torn meniscus in his left knee during the afternoon.