Engram reportedly miffed over contract

By Frank Hughes | The News Tribune • Published May 06, 2008

KIRKLAND - Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Bobby Engram skipped Monday's voluntary veterans' mini-camp because he is upset about his contract, according to a source.

Engram attended the team's three-day mandatory camp over the weekend, though he participated on a limited basis.

But Engram was not present on Monday, the only player who was expected to be at the team's practice facility but wasn't. The team said Engram missed the practice for personal reasons.

It was unclear if Engram will be at practice today. The mini-camp ends Thursday.

Engram is displeased, according to the source, that he was the team's most productive wide receiver last season but is scheduled to be its third-highest paid wideout this season.

Engram is in the final season of a contract that will pay him $1.7 million, while injured flanker Deion Branch will make $3.5 million as well as a $660,000 roster bonus. Split end Nate Burleson will make $3.25 million.

It is unclear what Engram wants to be paid in a new contract. His agent, Mitch Frankel, did not return several phone calls.

A team spokesman said Seahawks general manager Tim Ruskell declined to comment.

Engram is coming off a season in which his career-high 94 receptions set the franchise record. He gained 1,147 receiving yards, also a career high and one of best seasons in team history. Engram's six touchdowns were also a career high.

Engram was quarterback Matt Hasselbeck's most-reliable target at a time when split end D.J. Hackett was limited to six games because of a series of injuries.

Likewise, Branch, who was paid almost $10 million last season, played in only 11 regular-season games and missed most of both postseason games. Branch tore his anterior cruciate ligament early in the team's loss to Green Bay and will miss at least part of the 2008 season after reconstructive surgery.

With Branch injured and Hackett departed for Carolina in free agency, Engram is expected to be the team's starting flanker, moving to the slot in the three-receiver set.

Engram, 35, had his breakout season after missing nine games in 2006 because of a thyroid condition that threatened his career. Returning for the final three games of that season, he totaled 24 receptions and 290 yards.

After that season, the Seahawks gave Engram a two-year, $3.4 million contract. He will be a free agent after this season.

n Sims needs surgery: Offensive guard Rob Sims will have arthroscopic surgery today on his right knee, which will knock him out of the rest of the mini-camp. He is expected to be back for two mini-camps in June, according to the team.

Dr. Ed Khalfayan will perform surgery on Sims at Seattle Surgery Center.

Sims' absence means 60 percent of the starting offensive line is out. Right tackle Walter Jones and center Chris Spencer both are recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.

Sims lost his starting left guard spot when the team signed Mike Wahle. But Sims is expected to replace Chris Gray as the starting right guard.

n Extra points: The Seahawks signed defensive tackle Kevin Brown and wide receiver Joel Filani. To make room, they released defensive tackle Kelly Talavou and wide receiver Travis Brown.

Kevin Brown, a 6-2, 303-pound rookie from UCLA, got a tryout during the weekend mini-camp and impressed coaches enough to earn a roster spot for now.

Filani was drafted in the sixth round (188th overall) by the Tennessee Titans in 2007. He most recently spent time with the Minnesota Vikings.