New role for DE Jackson
Hawks veteran says he’s OK with plan
RENTON, Wash. – Lawrence Jackson was back on the field Tuesday after missing two weeks of practice. Now it’s a matter of fitting in for the third-year defensive end.
Jackson, a former first-round pick who has started 24 of the 31 games in his career, is returning from a hamstring injury, but he is also finding himself stuck somewhat in the middle when it comes to the Seattle Seahawks’ defensive end positions.
Rather than have two more traditional ends, players who are built more like the 270-pound Jackson, the Seahawks have two distinctly different ends. Red Bryant plays what is known as the five-technique, a big-bodied run stopper who normally lines up on the same side of the field as the opposing tight end. Chris Clemons is at the “Leo” spot, a smaller, pass-rushing end who will also be asked at times to drop back and play like a linebacker.
So where does that leave Jackson? Somewhere in the middle. But for now Jackson isn’t concerning himself with that, saying he just wants to improve and fit in wherever he is needed.
Balmer won’t talk about the past
Defensive lineman Kentwan Balmer practiced with his new team for the first time, a day after being traded from San Francisco. Despite being asked numerous times, Balmer wouldn’t talk about what led to his departure from San Francisco, which traded the former first-round pick to a division rival, reportedly getting only a sixth-round pick as compensation.
Wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh missed his second straight day of practice tending to a family matter… Running back Adrian Peterson was released to make room on the roster for Balmer… With kicker Olindo Mare nursing a calf injury, the team signed Clint Stitser. Stitser played at Fresno State, then was out of football for two years before signing with the New York Jets in April.