Holmgren fired up about young Seahawks receivers

KIRKLAND, Wash. – A not-so-funny thing happened to many of the Seattle Seahawks’ young receivers on their way to another off-season of anonymity.

Sometime between the end of a 2007 season that saw Ben Obomanu, Courtney Taylor, Logan Payne and Jordan Kent get plenty of praise behind the scenes, and the beginning of the upcoming season, Seattle’s young receivers became targets.

Not just of practice passes, but also of Mike Holmgren’s ire.

Earlier this week, the Seahawks’ intimidating head coach screamed at the mild-mannered Obomanu during a practice drill. A few minutes later, Holmgren barked at Payne.

The honeymoon is over for the Seahawks’ young foursome.

“They could make a mistake last year, run a completely different play, and the coaches were like: ‘That’s OK. He doesn’t know what he’s doing,’ ” said receiver Nate Burleson, the 26-year-old veteran of the group. “But now, they’re held at a higher standard. They’re responsible to go out there and perform like a starter.”

In the professional world, being the target of criticism is better than not being noticed at all. So, in an odd way, the Seahawks’ young receivers may well have arrived.

“You want that hands-on attention, especially from a guy like Coach Holmgren, who you respect,” Taylor said. “When he’s down my throat or someone else’s throat, you look at it like: If he’s not saying anything to you, you might be on your way out the door.”

The current minicamp has gone on without starting receivers Bobby Engram, who is skipping the voluntary session while in a contract dispute, and Deion Branch, who will be out until at least September following knee surgery.

That leaves Burleson and a young receiving corps that includes eight wideouts who have a combined 12 receptions at the NFL level. Obomanu, a third-year player who has appeared in 13 professional games, is the second-most-experienced receiver at camp. Taylor, Payne and Kent, who spent most of last season practicing but not appearing in games, have had to grow up fast.

“It’s a bigger transition than it was last year because more is expected of us,” said Taylor, who was a rookie in 2007. “But you welcome it. That’s why you’re here: for those challenges. That’s what it’s all about.”

Seattle expects the 35-year-old Engram to report to training camp next month and play during the regular season. Burleson is also penciled in as a starter.

Beyond that, the Seahawks have plenty of question marks.

The buzz word at camp, with four receivers battling to open the regular season as the No. 3 wideout, is opportunity.

“It’s a good opportunity for all of us, and at the same time, a good learning experience,” Obomanu said.

“It’s a great opportunity for these guys,” said quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. “I would say that they are doing their best to take advantage of it.”