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Young linemen fill in well
Rookie Rob Sims and second-year player Chris Spencer impress Seahawks coaches while plugging injury gaps on the offensive line.
By Scott M. Johnson
Herald Writer
CHENEY - Floyd Womack was back working with the Seattle Seahawks' No. 1 offense Wednesday, and that meant that Rob Sims was back to being just another rookie.
The fourth-round pick from Ohio State University was in a backup role again Wednesday morning, but at least now he's shown the coaches what he can do.
"It was fun," said Sims, who started at left guard in Sunday's win over Indianapolis. "I enjoy challenges. I was in a similar situation at Ohio State, so I was ready for it."
Sims started six games as a true freshman at Ohio State, including the national championship game, when several teammates were sidelined by injuries.
He was pressed into action last week after center Robbie Tobeck went down. Chris Spencer, who started in place of Womack in the preseason opener, slid back to center and left the starting spot open for Sims.
"I'm just one of those guys who hits the ground running," Sims said. "When I went to Ohio State there wasn't much hype about me; I was under the radar. It was the same situation here, where I was a fourth-round pick. People don't expect fourth-round picks to come in and do much. But I just wanted to come in, play hard and see where I stack up."
Offensive line coach Bill Laveroni said that Sims was impressive while filling in for Womack, who missed a week with a strained hamstring.
"Rob Sims has been a pleasant surprise," Laveroni said. "He's really a focused young man. He's a hard worker and has physical skills. He's improving rapidly, and I'm real pleased with that."
Laveroni has also been impressed by Spencer, who is likely to return to his reserve role whenever Tobeck returns from an elbow injury - possibly as soon as next week.
"Chris has shown remarkable improvement from a year ago at this time," Laveroni said. "He understands the offense better, and he has more command of his communication with the players. So I'm really happy with his progress."
While it was nice to get an extended look at the young linemen, Laveroni is thankful for one thing above all.
"It's fortunate that it's the preseason," he said. "You don't want to lose Robbie in the season."
Dropping 'backer: Don't be surprised if Seahawks linebacker Julian Peterson does pushups on the sideline during a game this season.
It just won't happen very often.
Peterson does 10 pushups every time he gives up a pass reception, and he said Wednesday that the training camp routine will continue during regular season games.
"Practice, games. It doesn't matter," he said. "I'll do them on the sideline. And if (defensive players) drop a ball, they'll drop and give me 10 on the sideline during a game too."
Peterson has been dishing out the punishment - both to teammates and himself - since early in his career at San Francisco.
"When you're competing, you want to go out and be the best at doing it," Peterson said. "In my position, I feel like covering the tight ends is my specialty. So when a guy catches a ball on me, I'm really upset about it. I feel like I let the teammates down. So I have to do something to show that I'm going to step it up. That's what the pushups (symbolize)."
Justin who? The star of Wednesday's afternoon practice was wide receiver Justin Surrency, who caught three long passes. Surrency also made an acrobatic catch at the morning session.
Surrency is a rookie from Northern Iowa University who signed with the team on Aug. 8. His best chance of making the team is as a punt returner, but he showed Wednesday that he can catch too.
Is this it? After a morning practice today, the Seahawks will break training camp and head back to Seattle for one day.
On Friday, they'll travel to San Diego for Saturday's preseason game against the Chargers. The Seahawks will continue their camp practices in Kirkland next week.
Quick slants: Wide receiver Bobby Engram returned to practice Wednesday and made his presence felt with several receptions. He missed the previous day while attending to a family matter in South Carolina. ... Fullback David Kirtman (quadriceps) also returned to practice.
