CHENEY — They are former teammates reunited. Bookends at defensive end. Relentless pursuers of quarterbacks and running backs. Forearm smashers who have perfected the art of swim moves, inside spins and getting around the corner.

And they are "elder statesmen," as defensive line coach Dwaine Board likes to call Grant Wistrom and Bryce Fisher. Even though neither player is out of his 20s.

"We're looking to them for leadership," Board said.

Fisher and Wistrom were teammates in St. Louis only two seasons ago. Wistrom was a starter, Fisher his backup in search of more playing time. Then the Seahawks made a big-money offer to land Wistrom. It was their biggest free-agent signing of the 2004 offseason, and in the process raided their division rivals' roster.

Fisher got the playing time made available by Wistrom's departure. He had 8 ˝ sacks as a Ram in 2004 but was taken out of the starting lineup after 14 games. When Seattle lost Chike Okeafor in free agency earlier this year, more help was needed at defensive end — and Fisher was the Seahawks' choice.

It was a perfect fit. Fisher came in with expectations to be a starter, and the Renton native also got to come home. He also had no qualms about joining an NFC West rival.

"The important thing for me was getting a chance to go to a team that had a chance to compete and win," Fisher said. "Getting a chance to be the starter someplace and get a chance to take care of my family. So I was able to do all three of those things and come home."

Wistrom was one of the first to call and congratulate Fisher when he signed. The two remain friends, but more in a professional sense than off the field. When they took the field together — Wistrom at right end and Fisher on the left side — it was as if they were back in St. Louis giving each other a hard time and having fun.

"One of the needs [for the Seahawks] was picking up guys that are going to be team-first-type players," Wistrom said. "That's definitely what Bryce is. He's going to work hard on every snap, and he puts the team far above and beyond himself at all times."

Good call

Holmgren had no regrets about giving the players the day off Wednesday, despite never having done so in his seven training camps as Seahawks coach.

The team looked sluggish in practice earlier in the week, so Holmgren decided it was time for a break. He was pleased with the energy in practice yesterday morning.

"I think it was necessary, and now in retrospect, I'm glad I did it," Holmgren said.

On Tuesday, when the day off was announced, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said he felt certain there would be confrontations among teammates if anyone on the team violated curfew or somehow ruined the reward of getting time off. Holmgren reaffirmed the team's focus on accountability.

"That did happen. In fact I heard it, and then I heard it from other people that guys were saying it," Holmgren said. "I think that's kind of what you want from your leaders, as reminders. 'We're getting a little kooky here, and we need it, so don't mess it up.' "

Mini-Mike

A fan watching practice bore a striking resemblance to Holmgren, with a dark-blue top, thick mustache and similar sunglasses.

Holmgren didn't acknowledge the fan at first, but signed an autograph for him later. The coach seemed unfazed by the likeness.

Notes

• Backup tackle Wayne Hunter wore a full-length brace over his right leg. Hunter has an MCL sprain, and is expected to miss two weeks. In his place, Sean Locklear played left tackle with the No. 2 offense.

• Locklear also got some snaps at right tackle with the No. 1 offense, allowing Floyd Womack to move inside to right guard. Rookie Ray Willis worked at right tackle with the second unit.

• CB Andre Dyson returned to team drills after missing time with a concussion suffered at New Orleans last Friday.

• DT Cedric Woodard has left camp to get a second opinion on his surgically repaired left knee. Woodard has yet to practice since camp opened July 29.

José Miguel Romero: 206-464-2409 or jromero@seattletimes.com