Unknowns fill the voids at minicamp

KIRKLAND, Wash. – If the Seattle Seahawks were to give out awards for the two-week minicamp that wraps up today, the co-most valuable player honors may well go to Ray Willis and Pat Ross.

Uhhhh … who?

Not exactly household names, Willis and Ross have been two big reasons why the Seahawks even were able to practice. The little-used offensive linemen – Ross was on the practice squad last season, while Willis was on the inactive list for 12 of the 18 games despite a clean bill of health – have filled in on a depleted unit while teammates took time off.

“It’s a good thing Ray Willis started his off-season workout the minute the (2006) season ended, because he took every snap at left tackle today,” quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said after Willis filled in for Walter Jones at Wednesday’s practice. “Right now, he looks like he played an entire game.

“When guys don’t come to this camp – yes, it’s voluntary, but – all you’re doing it putting more stress on your buddies. That’s just what happens. You’re hurting your buddies.”

Regardless of why some of the other linemen have been missing, Willis has been there to fill the void without complaint. He worked as the starting right guard while Chris Gray got his family moved from Alabama last week and then slid over to fill in for Jones this week.

Ross, meanwhile, has taken nearly every snap with the first team, and several with the No. 2 offense, while starting center Chris Spencer recovers from shoulder surgery. Both Ross and Willis agree that the extra work has been worth it. In terms of performing in front of the coaches, the current minicamp has been an opportunity like no other.

“I’ve just got to play well, make the most of it and show the coaches that I can do it,” Ross said.

Willis has been waiting for any opportunity he can get. The third-year player has seen action in just seven NFL games, mostly on special teams.

He had never played guard – at any level – but eagerly offered to learn the position this summer so that he could be more versatile. Gray’s recent absence, along with injuries to veterans Floyd Womack and Tom Ashworth, opened the door for plenty of practice repetitions.

Even when Willis broke a bone in his left hand last week, he kept working. He’s had a cast put on before each practice and participated despite a club-like apparatus that leaves him without the use of his fingers.

“We have a great training staff, and they said it was OK for me to go out there, so I just wanted to keep doing what I’ve been doing,” he said.