Sports

POSTED: Thursday, Sep. 11, 2008

Seahawks: Camp Kirkland

Tripplett looking to stick around

Back in his old stomping grounds, former University of Washington standout Larry Tripplett hopes to continue a productive NFL career, but is facing an uphill battle in earning a spot in the Seattle Seahawks’ rotation at defensive tackle.

“I’m just going to have to work hard because we have a lot of good guys, especially on the defensive line,” Tripplett said. “Thank goodness I don’t have to make that decision. I’ve just got to go out there and keep working hard, and when it’s time to make that decision, somebody is going to make it.”

Tripplett, entering his seventh season, was drafted in the second round by Indianapolis and spent four seasons with the Colts. He played the past two seasons with Buffalo before signing with the Seahawks as a free agent in April.

An All-American, Tripplett was one of the mainstays on Washington’s victorious 2001 Rose Bowl team.

At 6-foot-2, 300 pounds, Tripplett is quick off the ball and has a relentless motor. But the Seahawks are deep at defensive tackle, with Rocky Bernard, Brandon Mebane, Craig Terrill, Howard Green and rookie Red Bryant all in the mix. Add Marcus Tubbs – currently on the physically unable to perform list but expected to be ready for the first regular-season game – and Tripplett could be on the outside looking in.

Payne catching on

A practice squad afterthought last season, receiver Logan Payne has made a name for himself in the first few days of camp by catching everything thrown to him, including a few spectacular grabs during 7-on-7 drills.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound receiver out of the University of Minnesota has good speed and runs good routes, but what has stuck out the most is his ability to hold onto the ball, particularly in traffic.

Payne, 23, is part of a group of talented young receivers competing for the third, fourth and fifth receiver spots.

“To be a wide receiver in this league, you’ve got to have a certain level of confidence,” Payne said. “And whatever you’ve got, you’ve got to keep building on it.

“I definitely feel more confident in the respect that I know the offense. I know with guys giving me looks, Matt (Hasselbeck) throwing me the ball and Seneca (Wallace) throwing me the ball, that shows me that they have confidence in me. So I’ve got to keep it going.”

Payne said playing on the practice squad last season and going against No. 1 cornerbacks Marcus Trufant and Kelly Jennings helped him improve his route running.

Payne said learning the opponent’s playbook each week and playing on the scout team improved his knowledge of the game, giving him a better understanding of not only his position but the rest of the offensive assignments.

“We’ve got a great group of receivers,” Payne said. “And what makes a great group is guys competing every day.”

Holmgren ERUPTS

It wouldn’t be training camp without coach Mike Holmgren letting off some steam, right?

A fuming Holmgren let loose on the offense during Sunday morning’s practice, using some colorful language to admonish his players. Holmgren was upset with the pace of practice during 7-on-7 and team drills, which included some dropped passes and missed assignments. He thought the offense was playing tentatively and said so.

Injury report

Defensive end Patrick Kerney suffered what appeared to be a calf injury during the morning practice and did not suit up for the afternoon practice. Joining Kerney on the sideline in the afternoon were tackles Walter Jones (shoulder) and Ray Willis (knee), centers Chris Spencer (shoulder) and Chris Gray (back), and punter Ryan Plackemeier (chest). Hasselbeck appeared to roll his ankle dropping back to throw the ball in the morning practice, but returned with his ankle wrapped and went through drills in the afternoon workout.

Quotable

“You have some God-gifted, talented players. But the majority of players who work hard and have that heart do just fine in this league.”

– Tripplett, on what it takes to stay in the NFL

Eric D. Williams, The News Tribune