Meet the Seahawks’ new big back -- T.J. Duckett

By Danny O’Neil | Seattle Times • Published May 08, 2008

Now, he comes to Seattle, signing a contract guaranteed to pay him $4 million, part of an offseason overhaul in a backfield that has struggled to convert short-yardage rushing opportunities over the past two years. It’s a role that many have already penciled Duckett into. Not so fast, though.

“There are some teams that take a big, strong pile-driving guy and I guess they call him a short-yardage back,” Holmgren said. “I have never done that. In fact, when I have done that it hasn’t worked very well.”

Duckett said he’s ready for whatever role gets handed to him.

“Whatever it is, it doesn’t really matter,” he said. “Whatever I’m called to do, I’m going to do it to the best of my ability.”

He’ll be ready when training camp rolls around. He makes sure of that by heading to San Diego, Calif., for more than a month’s worth of conditioning work on the beaches, running drills on both wet and dry sand.

“You get on a football field and the cuts are that much sharper, your legs are that much quicker and stronger,” Duckett said.

Strength is one thing the Seahawks won’t be lacking in the running game. Not with the muscle-bound backs they signed this offseason.

Notes

--TE Jeb Putzier returned to the practice field on Wednesday as Seattle continued its voluntary veteran workouts. He watched Tuesday’s workout.

--TE Zac Alcorn and WR Courtney Taylor did not participate in Wednesday’s practice, watching with stocking caps.

The team is not required to announce injuries or status of players during offseason workouts.

--WR Bobby Engram again was a no-show at the voluntary workout Wednesday.