Hawks get ready to roll at training camp

Changes are in the air where the Seahawks fly.

The team is at its Kirkland headquarters for training camp this year for the first time since 1996. And home it will stay thereafter, as a new team facility is under construction in Renton. It's one summer and so long to Kirkland.

The defense was overhauled a bit in the offseason. Potentially three new starters were added via free agency, and the team drafted four defensive players in the first five rounds. On offense, the team parted ways with two big-name players, wide receiver Darrell Jackson and tight end Jerramy Stevens.

Two new assistant coaches were also added. Jim Mora — the former Atlanta Falcons coach who played at the University of Washington — will coach the secondary, and veteran coach Bruce DeHaven will oversee special teams.

Changes happen every year. Today, however, is the day where the new and old come together and begin the season in earnest. It's Day 1 of training camp for the three-time defending NFC West champions, and expectations remain high.

Although fans won't have access to practices as in previous years in Cheney, here's a look at 10 things to watch from the Seahawks in training camp:

1. How much QB Matt Hasselbeck will be used in practices and exhibition games

Hasselbeck is coming off surgery to his left (nonthrowing) shoulder and was limited during the May and June minicamps. He looked stronger from one camp to the next, and his rehabilitation was well ahead of schedule, enough to the point that he took part in individual and seven-on-seven drills. The real concern is how he will look in team drills at full speed and how effective he will be at handing the ball off after suffering two broken fingers in his nonthrowing hand late last season. Hasselbeck should be cleared to participate fully in training camp, but look for the team to limit his snaps so as to protect his shoulder and hand.

2. The health of DE Patrick Kerney

Kerney was arguably the Seahawks' most high-profile free-agent acquisition of the offseason, and the hope is that he returns to the heights of 2004, when he had 13 sacks and made the Pro Bowl. Kerney's strength is his pass rush off the edge, and he says he is fully recovered from a torn pectoral muscle that cost him the last seven games of 2006 with the Atlanta Falcons. He was limited in minicamp practices with the Seahawks in May and June while continuing his rehabilitation.

3. A slimmer and injury-free Shaun Alexander

Alexander looked slimmer, and a little shiftier, at minicamps. He has something to prove and set lofty goals for himself after missing six regular-season games with a cracked bone in his left foot. It was the first injury absence of Alexander's seven-year NFL career.

4. The quarterback position, besides Hasselbeck

If Hasselbeck doesn't see much exhibition action, that means more snaps for backup Seneca Wallace and the leading candidate for the No. 3 spot, David Greene. Wallace's athleticism has long been difficult to keep off the field, but he's needed at quarterback if the team can't find a more experienced veteran to add to the roster.

5. Position battles

The high-profile competition will be in the secondary: Deon Grant and Brian Russell enter camp atop the depth chart at free and strong safeties with veterans Mike Green and Michael Boulware pushing them. And where does playoff hero Jordan Babineaux fit in? He can play safety and cornerback and might be a better fit as the nickel cornerback with Kelly Jennings and Marcus Trufant as starters. Then there is second-round pick Josh Wilson, who could contend at cornerback as perhaps a starter, nickel or dime defensive back.

Other position battles are at right guard and tackle, where Ray Willis could unseat No. 1s Chris Gray and Sean Locklear. And wide receiver Nate Burleson will challenge D.J. Hackett to start opposite Deion Branch.

6. The new secondary, and DT Marcus Tubbs

Grant, Russell and Wilson are newcomers. Green missed all of last season because of injury and Jennings became a starter at the end of last season only because of other players' injuries. Tubbs, on the physically unable to perform list, cannot practice until he passes a physical. He has struggled with injuries throughout his career, but when he is healthy, the former first-round pick can be a disruptive force with his size and agility.

7. A new look on the offensive line

Walter Jones is the mainstay at left tackle. But this unit hasn't played much together, and continuity is critical. Second-year player Rob Sims is the starter at left guard, and Chris Spencer will start full-time at center this year, provided he is past shoulder problems. Then there is the right side: Gray and Floyd Womack have the most experience, but Locklear has started 26 games in three seasons. The coaching staff is high on Willis and wants to give him a chance to compete for a starting job.

8. The increased expectations on Branch

They are high, seeing as the Seahawks gave up their 2007 first-round pick when they traded for the former Super Bowl MVP last September. It took Branch all season to fit in with the offense, though he started 13 regular-season games and was second on the team in catches with 53 for 725 yards and four touchdowns. The Seahawks don't think in terms of No. 1 or 2 receivers, but Branch is without question Hasselbeck's prime receiving target entering this season.

9. The new tight end

Ladies and gentleman, please welcome Marcus Pollard. No more Stevens. Pollard, a free-agent pickup, is 35 and has 12 years experience. He will be counted on to be productive at a position where the Seahawks' lack depth.

10. Key dates this summer

Today: Camp opens.

Aug. 23: Camp breaks.

Aug. 28: Roster cutdown to maximum of 75 players.

Sept. 1: Roster cutdown to final 53 players.

Sept. 9: Regular-season opener vs. Tampa Bay.

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