Hawks finally have all 53 on practice field

SEAHAWKS: Every player on roster is healthy enough to practice; Mora says Locklear will play against Lions

ERIC D. WILLIAMS; The News Tribune | • Published November 07, 2009

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Renton – Friday was a first for the Seattle Seahawks.

For the first time this season, everyone on the team’s 53-man roster participated in practice as the Seahawks continue to get healthier seven games into the 2009 campaign.

Seahawks head coach Jim Mora said it probably has been more than a year since the team had everyone on the active roster practicing.

“It is kind of a milestone day,” he said. “Now what we need to do is turn that into productivity on Sunday.”

This certainly bodes well for Seattle, which will try to end a two-game losing streak and has lost five of its past six games.

The Seahawks got some more good news Friday – offensive tackle Sean Locklear, who has missed the past five games with a high-ankle sprain, was a full participant in practice. According to Mora, Locklear will play Sunday against Detroit.

“Once a guy gets out on the field and they kind of push through those plateaus, their progression accelerates,” Mora said about Locklear. “It’s like, ‘Wow, I can do this.’ So it’s good to have him out here.”

Locklear has been out since suffering the injury Sept. 20 against San Francisco. He was a limited participant in the first two days of practice this week.

Mora said Locklear likely will not start, with current left tackle Damion McIntosh having had a solid performance against Dallas last week. Mora said Locklear will see time on a rotational basis, similar to how veterans Marcus Trufant and Leroy Hill were used against the Cowboys in their first game action.

For his part, Locklear said he’s ready to go.

“I felt pretty good in practice,” Locklear said. “But once you get out there, it will take you a little bit to get acclimated to the speed, full-speed and contact, stuff like that.

“It will take a couple plays before you’re probably back to close to how you were playing before you got hurt.”

Housh speaks

Wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh talked to reporters on Friday about some of the perceptions of him after his reaction to some frustrating plays was caught on TV against Dallas.

Houshmandzadeh again reiterated that’s the way he has always been and that he’s an emotional player who expresses himself outwardly when he’s frustrated. He said he’s actually gotten a lot better over his playing career, which includes time at Oregon State and Cincinnati.

He believes part of the public reaction to his actions on the field is part of a feeling-out process between himself and fans in Seattle.

“Obviously, it’s a feeling-out process, a little bit like boxers in the first three rounds of a championship fight,” he said. “You kind of feel each other out. But we’re losing. If we were winning, I wouldn’t be a problem because I wouldn’t be doing it. And it’s just different. I’ve done it my whole career. And it’s not great. I’m not like saying it’s acceptable or it’s OK. But I’ve done that, they’ve seen it.

“It’s just emotion. I love to win. I do not like to lose. And that’s just how I express myself. I mean, why would I be happy about punting the ball and walk to the sideline with a smile on my face? Why would I want it? I just outwardly expressed how I felt inside. That’s it.”

Extra points

Former Seahawks quarterback and current team broadcaster Warren Moon traveled to Toronto this week, where he was inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame. Moon already has been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (2006) and the Canadian Football Hall of Fame (2001). Moon began his pro career with the Edmonton Eskimos, leading them to five straight Grey Cup championships from 1978 to 1982. The 506 members of the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame come from 56 different sports. “It was a surprise to me that I would even be nominated, just because I’m not Canadian,” Moon said. “But I guess they changed the rule three years ago. … It’s a pretty select group, so that makes you feel good.” … The Seahawks will host the team’s annual “Tackle Hunger” drive to benefit Northwest Harvest on Sunday. Fans attending the game are asked to bring nonperishable food or make cash donations. Volunteers from the Seahawks Women’s Association and Northwest Harvest will be accepting donations at all gates and in Touchdown City.

Eric D. Williams: 253-597-8437

eric.williams@thenewstribune.com

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