Seahawks notes: Branch to start; Engram will play, too

By Gregg Bell | The Associated Press • Published October 04, 2008

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RENTON – A noticeably large gang of eight healthy receivers walked off the practice field, smiling. That's five more than the Seahawks had just a few weeks ago.

Deion Branch and Bobby Engram were grinning because both will finally be making their season debuts on Sunday when Seattle (1-2) plays at the defending Super Bowl champion New York Giants (3-0).

Branch, a former Super Bowl MVP, is starting almost eight months to the day after he had reconstructive knee surgery.

"I'm ready," he said.

Engram, who set the team record with 94 receptions last season, hasn't played since breaking his right shoulder in the first exhibition game on Aug. 8.

Both passed the tests of three consecutive practice days that coach Mike Holmgren needed to see before declaring them ready for the Giants.

"They really did have a good week. Now, how much they play in the football game, we kind of have to see," Holmgren said after Friday's short, light practice just before the team flew east. "They'll be honest about it, they'll let us know. They'll be excited to play again and they'll probably be gasping a little bit just from being out there again ... so we have to be smart with how with do that."

Branch will start opposite Keary Colbert or Billy McMullen, acquired last month when the Seahawks had six receivers hurt. Engram will be in his normal role as the slot receiver.

That makes quarterback Matt Hasselbeck smile, too.

"Bobby brings experience and calmness to our offense," said Hasselbeck, who spent much of September at the bottom of the league's passer rankings. "He is just a very steady guy and makes plays."

• REMEMBER HIM? Koren Robinson, a third receiver brought in to much fanfare to rescue the ailing position, did only brief running on a side field with a trainer nearby to test his injured right knee. He is listed as questionable for Sunday, though it doesn't appear Holmgren's former No. 1 draft choice for Seattle will make his season debut. He has practiced only briefly this week, on Wednesday.