Hawks' possible "vacuum" is at CB

KIRKLAND — As NFL draft weekend nears for the Seahawks, it seems to be more clear that the team is looking hard to address its need at cornerback with its first pick.

Still, team president Tim Ruskell isn't tipping his hand for the rest of the league's draft overseers.

Ruskell recalled the need for a linebacker in last year's draft, and the Seahawks addressed the position by selecting Lofa Tatupu in the second round.

Tatupu went one to become one of the top rookies in the NFL.

"The vacuum [at the position] was there, and he was there," Ruskell said.

Asked if there are such vacuums this time around, Ruskell said, "There's not an obvious one. I guess you could say corner, but [Jordan] Babineaux did such a great job for us. And [Kelly] Herndon, when we [signed] him, we expected him to ascend to that role."

Ruskell won't say just how much of a need the Seahawks have at cornerback. But the position stands out now that the team has added depth at safety with Tuesday's trade for Mike Green.

Draft facts


When: Saturday (Rounds 1-3), Sunday (Rounds 4-7).

Where: New York City.

TV: Saturday (ESPN, 9 a.m.; ESPN2, 5 p.m.); Sunday (ESPN, 8 a.m.).

Hawks' first-round pick: No. 31.

Also, Ruskell said starting free safety Ken Hamlin has been cleared by the team to participate in non-contact drills at the team's first minicamp, which starts May 5. Hamlin will wear a red jersey in practice, signifying that he can't be hit.

If Seattle doesn't draft a cornerback, the team will have Marcus Trufant as one starter and Herndon and Babineaux battling for the other job.

The team has suspended contract talks with free-agent cornerback Ty Law.

"We told him we would not talk with him again until after the draft, if that's necessary," Ruskell said.

Stevens out

for three months

Jerramy Stevens, the Seahawks' starting tight end, had surgery Tuesday on his left knee and is expected to miss the minicamps.

Stevens, who caught three passes for 25 yards and a touchdown in Super Bowl XL, is expected back in time for training camp at the end of July. That means Seattle goes into the first minicamp with only one experienced tight end, Itula Mili, who has a history of skipping the offseason practices for personal or contract-related reasons.

Stevens, 26, is entering his fifth pro season. The Olympia native and former Washington Husky had the best season of his career in 2005, when he caught 45 passes for 554 yards and five touchdowns.

Mili was injured for part of last season and inactive for the rest, and he didn't register a catch. But the 10th-year pro had been productive in previous years.

Seattle lost last year's backup tight end, Ryan Hannam, to the Dallas Cowboys in free agency.

Investment

in returns

Ruskell said he would like the team to come out of the draft with a return specialist and that he would be surprised if it didn't.

"We're not just going to be focused on that, even on Day 2 if he's a good special-teams player and not a return guy," Ruskell said. "But I would think that we would come away with somebody who does one or both."

Notes

• Ruskell said he is still talking with coach Mike Holmgren about a contract extension beyond this season. Ruskell characterized those talks as "very positive."

• The Seahawks' offseason practice schedule includes a camp for veterans May 8-11, followed by minicamps June 5-8 and 12-15.

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