Undersized Forsett impresses Seahawks
RENTON, Wash. — Think Justin Forsett is stressed about being third on the depth chart during Seahawks training camp?
Hardly.
The fact that he’s in an NFL uniform at all shows just how good the second-year running back is at beating the odds.
Despite putting up gaudy numbers as a high schooler at Grace Prep Academy in Arlington, Texas, the best offer Forsett had to play running back in his home state was a chance to walk on at a Division II school. Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech? Not interested.
“I went to camps at all those schools, and they said I was too small,” the 5-foot-8 back said. “They said maybe I could be a defensive player and walk on. No schools in Texas offered me a scholarship. … It’s a blessing though. I don’t regret anything that happened. That trial built me into what I am.”
At California – when Texas schools weren’t interested, Forsett sent tapes to school on the West Coast and the Bears took notice – Forsett continued to put up big numbers, but 5-8 was still 5-8, so he wasn’t drafted until the seventh round last year.
Yet here Forsett is, still undersized but in his second training camp. With Maurice Morris gone to Detroit, Forsett is all but assured of a roster spot, and he may be more than just a third-stringer who helps on special teams. Throughout the first few days of camp, coaches have raved about Forsett’s improvement, and the new zone-blocking scheme installed by offensive coordinator Greg Knapp seems to suit the second-year back.
“He’s bigger, stronger and faster than when he came out of college, and then this scheme fits Justin,” Seahawks coach Jim Mora said. “He’s able to put his foot in the ground and change directions quickly, and that’s what you want in the zone scheme.”
Forsett figures his size could even be an advantage in the new offense.
“When I’ve got these big guys out in front of me, it’s kind of an advantage when I’m back there standing at 5-8 and the defense can barely see me when I make my cut,” he said. “So it’s a good scheme for me.”
And even at 5-8, 194-pounds, Forsett is hardly a pushover. During Saturday night’s practice, the first one in pads, he got everyone’s attention by lighting up linebacker David Hawthorne in a blitz pickup drill. He drove the 240-pound linebacker back far enough to knock over Knapp as well.
“From the time he came in last year, he’s made plays,” fellow running back T.J. Duckett said. “The little guy, he can go. He’s tough.”
Mora wants Curry
The Seahawks continue to practice without first-round pick Aaron Curry, who hasn’t yet been signed to a contract. Mora wants the potential starting outside linebacker at practice soon, and said he believes that something will get done in the near future.
“Every practice he misses becomes more critical, because he’s missing repetitions that he’ll never get back,” Mora said. “But I remain confident that something will get done soon. … But the longer it goes, the more concerned you get.”
Missing a few linemen
Walter Jones missed another day of practice with back spasms, but Mora said that shouldn’t be a long-term problem. Jones had been scheduled to practice only every other day while coming back from season-ending knee surgery, but he has now missed three straight days because of a scheduled day off followed by the back spasms.
Fellow offensive lineman Ray Willis was also out for the morning practice while resting a sore knee, but returned for the evening practice.
Defensive tackle Brandon Mebane (bruised knee) sat out both practices, but Mora said he expects him back soon. Cornerback Marcus Trufant continues to be out with a sore back.