Hawks Scrimmage | Weaver spins a nice comeback

The scrimmage gave fans their first chance to see the Seahawks.

Only fitting, then, that the first touchdown was scored by fan favorite Leonard Weaver, who caught an 8-yard pass from Matt Hasselbeck to score against the No. 2 defense in a scrimmage at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

You remember Weaver, the undrafted free agent who made the team out of Carson-Newman in 2005. He's a college tight end who turned himself into a professional fullback. A player with a great singing voice and faith so devout his college teammates nicknamed him "The Bishop" with a stiffarm he's heard called "The Baptism."

"The Seahawk Fan Club nicknamed it," Weaver said. "We're going to have to get a patent on it."

Weaver spent last season on the injured reserve after suffering a high ankle sprain during the exhibition season. He worked as an assistant coach at Renton High School, working with Terry Metcalf. On Saturday, the high-school assistant scored the first touchdown of the Seahawks workout at a high-school stadium.

"I feel better than I did last year at this point in time," Weaver said.

He plays fullback, but has shown an ability to run like a tailback.

"A halfback," Weaver said

And don't forget the hands. He caught 27 passes as a senior in college, and his touchdown catch was one of five consecutive completions for Hasselbeck on the offense's second possession of the scrimmage.

The Seahawks worked out for about 90 minutes, pitting offense vs. defense for much of that time. The team also ran special-teams drills. Attendance was 10,118 as the public got its first chance to see the team's preparation. Training-camp practices are closed to the public this season because there is not room to accommodate visitors at the team's headquarters in Kirkland. The Seahawks' next open practice is Aug. 8 at Husky Stadium.

Saturday wasn't a formal scrimmage. No score was kept, no contact was allowed on kickoffs and quarterbacks weren't hit. But the fans got their first glimpse of the Seahawks this season, along with a player running his way back onto Seattle's roster after a year on the injured list.

D.J. a hit

D.J. Hackett led the Seahawks with five receptions in the game, and he caught a 39-yard pass from Seneca Wallace for the longest play of the scrimmage, getting behind rookie cornerback Josh Wilson and never breaking stride.

Ben Obomanu was second on the team with three receptions, but he suffered a neck injury when he was tackled after his third reception. He was able to walk off the field under his own power and then walked to the ambulance. He did not return. Holmgren said he did not have any updates.

The other players injured in the scrimmage were rookie receiver Courtney Taylor, who suffered a knee injury, and tight end Ben Joppru, who injured his hip.

QB hits back

Quarterbacks weren't to be hit in Saturday's scrimmage.

The coaches said nothing about quarterbacks applying hits, though, which is why Holmgren just smiled when asked about Wallace's attempt to keep Kelly Jennings out of the end zone on his 100-yard interception return for a touchdown.

"He's our last line of defense," Holmgren said.

Besides, the least Wallace could do after throwing the interception was try and make a tackle.

Wallace attempted to throw an out-route to receiver Chris Jones, but Jennings dove in front of Jones and made the interception. He fell down in the end zone, but was not down by contact. Everyone froze because in usual practice situations the red-zone drill would end. But Jennings got up and began running it back.

Wallace caught up to Jennings just past midfield, but was blocked. He turned and nearly caught Jennings again before he reached the end zone.

Notes

• QB David Greene completed 8 of 9 passes on two possessions he worked with the second-unit offensive line.

• OT Walter Jones did not participate in Saturday's scrimmage. He missed Friday's practice with what Holmgren described as a day off.

• DT Craig Terrill, TE Will Heller, S Patrick Ghee (hamstring), S Jordan Babineaux (bone bruise), FB David Kirtman (hand), OL Floyd Womack (hamstring) and DT Marcus Tubbs (knee) sat out the scrimmage.

Danny O'Neil: 206-464-2364 or doneil@seattletimes