Matt Hasselbeck and Nate Burleson Mark 2006 Seahawks Passing Game

Seattle Seahawks install their passing game this week. I think the addition of Nate Burleson will give them the speed at wide receiver they certainly need. I can't remember anyone other than Joey Galloway as a real burner for the team.

Matt Hasselbeck OK, on hand for passing camp
Healthy QB not among questions

By CLARE FARNSWORTH
P-I REPORTER

KIRKLAND -- The Seahawks open an eight-day passing camp this morning, but will the defending NFC champions have their passer for the final full-squad session of the offseason?

Yes. In fact Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Hasselbeck was throwing at the team's facility Friday and will be on the field today.

Hasselbeck's status appeared to be in question after he was spotted on crutches at Sea-Tac Airport 10 days ago. He had bruised a tendon in his foot and the crutches allowed him to keep weight off the inflamed arch.

The passing camp will include four 90-minute practices this week and next, with the players off on Fridays. After that, the next time the players gather as a team will be for the start of training camp practices July 29 at Eastern Washington University.

Here are some of the things the coaches will be watching during the passing camp:

Seneca Wallace: Hasselbeck's backup needs to show continuing growth in running the offense. The club continues to look for a veteran QB, which would allow Wallace to be used as a situational runner, receiver and passer. But with no QBs available at this time, the primary focus for Wallace is assimilating and executing the offense.

Left guard: Floyd "Pork Chop" Womack has stepped in for All Pro Steve Hutchinson, who signed with the Minnesota Vikings in free agency. Rookie Rob Sims was working as Womack's backup at the post-draft minicamp last month. Womack must prove he can stay healthy after missing time with injuries in three of the past four seasons, while Sims' task is to show he can step in if needed.

Nate Burleson: Coach Mike Holmgren's hybrid of the West Coast offense was made for Burleson's combination of skills, and vice versa. The more comfortable Hasselbeck gets with the free-agent addition from the Vikings now, the better their rapport will be during the season.

Defensive additions: Linebacker Julian Peterson. Cornerback Kelly Jennings. Defensive end Darryl Tapp. Each is new, but all are expected to make significant contributions to the Seahawks' improving defense. Peterson, a former Pro Bowl player with the San Francisco 49ers, was signed in free agency to play the strong side -- and make plays from sideline to sideline. Jennings and Tapp, the team's top two picks in April's draft, are expected to fill major roles. Getting comfortable in the defense now will allow them to play more instinctively during the season.

P-I reporter Clare Farnsworth can be reached at 206-448-8016 or clarefarnsworth@seattlepi.com.