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HOT TOPIC
The Seahawks still want to sign a veteran backup quarterback, but they aren't particularly optimistic.
Seattle has committed to quarterback Seneca Wallace as the No. 2 passer. It's the No. 3 role that has the team a bit concerned.
David Greene, a third-round pick in 2005, simply hasn't convinced the team of his readiness to take the next step. The team figures it might as well have a more experienced player in the No. 3 role if Greene isn't going to develop as desired. Wallace has lots of athletic ability, but he lacks game experience.
"We are still looking for a veteran quarterback if possible," coach Mike Holmgren said. "It's getting almost past the point of no return, though, because he would have to be in here a little longer."
Holmgren left little doubt that Greene will have to enjoy a strong training camp to engender much confidence.
"I don't think it has been an easy transition for David," Holmgren said. "He was such a successful collegiate player, and what you learn when you play that position and come in to the NFL is that it is quite different. He is a great young guy and he's working hard, he's trying real hard.
"I hope this training camp now he does make the progress we need to see to feel comfortable."
The team would like quarterback Gibran Hamdan to challenge for a roster spot, but Hamdan suffered a broken ankle while becoming offensive player of the year in NFL Europe. Hamdan might not be ready for training camp.
"It's just hard, but he is a courageous guy and he is a good football player," Holmgren said. "As soon as he can get back doing some things, we'll get him back doing it."
PLAYER NOTES
--Coach Mike Holmgren isn't employing any of the tactics he used to motivate the Packers after their Super Bowl appearance capping the 1996 season. That's because the Seahawks are a different group entirely.
"When we won the Super Bowl, I had a much more veteran team and I talked to them about different things," Holmgren explained. "I think you win a Super Bowl with a veteran team you run the risk of everyone is writing a book, and everyone wants to be a television star and all of that kind of stuff.
"You have to battle that, you really do. Our guys, we're still hungry. We were very disappointed that we couldn't win the game, so you talk to them differently. The feeling is different."
--RB Shaun Alexander was a no-show for the second week of Seattle's recent voluntary minicamp. Attendance was otherwise strong. Alexander appeared on a national cable television show in Los Angeles while his teammates were sweating it out at team headquarters.
"He was doing the Best Damn Sports Show," Holmgren said. "As long as they talk to me about it ahead of time, which is what they do, then sometimes things happen and I'm OK with it.
"Shaun was also very involved in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and he had some speaking things in that regard in North Carolina. Our attendance and our offseason this year has been excellent. We've had a lot of people participate. That's what happens when you have a good season the year before, and you go to the Super Bowl and you're close."
STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
First-round CB Kelly Jennings got plenty of work with the starting defense during the team's recent minicamp. Jennings was starting on the left side opposite 2003 first-round choice Marcus Trufant.
Jennings made quite a few plays in coverage, showing improvement from the post-draft camp.
"I've made a big step since then," Jennings said. "I'm still thinking and there are still a lot of things I'm trying to get together so I can just play, but I'm far along from where I was."
FRANCHISE PLAYER: None.
TRANSITION PLAYER: OG Steve Hutchinson (Seahawks did not match $49M/.7 yrs offer from Vikings).
UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS
--S John Howell (not tendered June 1).
RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None.
EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None.
PLAYERS RE-SIGNED
--RB Shaun Alexander: Potential UFA; $61.687M/8 yrs, $11.5M SB/$2M RB 2007-08; 2006 cap: $6.5M.
--CB Jordan Babineaux: ERFA; terms unknown.
--LB Kevin Bentley: UFA; 2 yrs, terms unknown.
--DT Rocky Bernard: UFA; $13M/3 yrs, $5.4M SB; 2006 cap: $2.4M.
--PK Josh Brown: RFA; $721,600/1 yr.
--OT Wayne Hunter: RFA; $721,600/1 yr.
--RB Maurice Morris: UFA; $3.75M/3 yrs, $900,000 SB.
--P Tom Rouen: UFA; $810,000/1 yr; 2006 cap: $425,000.
--FB Mack Strong: UFA; $3.16M/3 yrs, $500,000 SB; 2006 cap: $1.027M.
--DE Joe Tafoya: UFA; terms unknown.
--QB Seneca Wallace: RFA; $721,600/1 yr.
--WR Peter Warrick: UFA; $1M/1 yr, SB unknown.
--CB Jimmy Williams: UFA; $585,000/1 yr.
PLAYERS ACQUIRED
--T/G Tom Ashworth; UFA Patriots; $13M/5 yrs, SB unknown.
--WR Nate Burleson: RFA Vikings; Vikings did not match offer of $49M/7 yrs, $4M SB; 2006 cap: $2.05M and receive 3rd-round pick as compensation.
--DE Chris Cooper: FA 49ers; terms unknown.
--DT Russell Davis: UFA Cardinals; 3 yrs, terms unknown.
--S Mike Green (trade Bears).
--S Shaunard Harts: FA; terms unknown.
--TE Will Heller: Not tendered as RFA by Buccaneers; terms unknown.
--LB Julian Peterson: UFA 49ers; $54M/6 yrs, $11.5M SB.
--DE Kemp Rasmussen: UFA Panthers; $625,000/1 yr, $40,000 SB: 2006 cap: $465.000.
PLAYERS LOST
--DE Rodney Bailey: UFA Steelers; $625,000/1 yr, $40,000 SB).
--WR Alex Bannister (released).
--CB Andre Dyson (released).
--TE Ryan Hannam: UFA Cowboys; $5M/4 yrs, $1.25M SB.
--OG Steve Hutchinson: TFA Vikings; $49M/7 yrs, $16M guaranteed.
--WR Joe Jurevicius: UFA Browns; $10M/4 yrs, SB unknown.
--S Marquand Manuel: UFA Packers; $10M/5 yrs, $2M SB.
--LB Jamie Sharper (released; failed physical/knee).
--WR Jerheme Urban (released; failed physical/foot).
MEDICAL WATCH: No updates.
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