NFL Combine | WSU's Abdullah plans to join brother

INDIANAPOLIS — When Husain Abdullah was a senior in high school in Pomona, Calif., the football coach approached him and asked if he and another player would also join the golf team. The reason being if the team couldn't get a couple more players, the program would fold.

How is he?

"Terrible," said Abdullah.

The fifth-year senior from Washington State, invited to the NFL scouting combine in Indianapolis, takes a similar whatever-it-takes approach to football, though his presence here assures that his football efforts and golfing exploits could never be described similarly.

This is in line with his older brother Hamza's approach.

The former Coug and third year member of the Denver Broncos was a seventh-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2005 draft, but they ultimately cut him. Since then, he has signed with Denver, and worked his way from the practice squad to special teams. By late in the 2007 season, he was given a chance to start. His younger brother wouldn't mind a similar fate, with the perceived indignity of a cut or not.

"He said the best thing they ever did was cut him," said Abdullah of Hamza. "So if it happens to me, maybe it could work out the same way."

But first things first.

Most scouts project Abdullah as a later-round pick, and other WSU players have preceded Abdullah in this manner, and with good results. Five members of the Cougars' secondary have landed in the NFL since Abdullah has been in Pullman, and each remains on an NFL roster today.

"[My goal has been] to be like them. Freshman year Eric Coleman and Jason David went, then it was my brother and Karl Paymah, and then there was nobody for a year, then there was Eric Frampton and Tyron Brackenridge, so I just want to be the next in line."

Abdullah, measured here at just under six feet, and 204 pounds, was All-Pac 10 honorable mention in 2007, leading WSU in tackles (93) and interceptions (four).

He's also known for the big hit he laid on Texas star quarterback Vince Young in the 2004 Holiday Bowl win over the Longhorns.

"[Young] called me that night, and was a little excited about it," said Abdullah.

It was a big moment early in his career.

"Yeah, but Vince Young did recover his fumble and I think eventually scored a touchdown," recalls Abdullah.

Though few will confuse them for Mannings, a chance to mimic his older brother is all the younger Abdullah wants. He is currently spending time training with Hamza in Reseda, Calif.

"He's just said to stay focused and don't let the process get to you," said Abdullah. "It's very long. He's just given me some pointers, and said, 'enjoy it.' "

Abdullah will work out for scouts today.

Notes

• No agreement has been reached between the Seahawks and free-agent kicker Josh Brown. Multiple sources have Brown reportedly seeking a multiple year deal worth more than $2 million annually. Coach Mike Holmgren confirmed that re-signing Brown is a priority.

• Pending the possibility that Alge Crumpler could land in Seattle, the Hawks may take a look at drafting a tight end, a position they need to improve. John Carlson, the highly touted prospect out of Notre Dame, confirmed he had spoken with Seattle. Yet Carlson disappointed scouts with a 4.98-second 40-yard time.

• Washington is the only Pac-10 program to not have a player invited to the NFL scouting combine. Washington State had Abdullah and quarterback Alex Brink. USC had 11 players at the combine.

• Former Timberline and Oregon star Jonathan Stewart predicted Thursday he would run the 40-yard dash in the mid 4.4 range. On Sunday, in his first attempt, he ran a 4.44 40, one of the better marks among running backs at the combine, and impressive considering Stewart's 235-pound frame. Stewart also was among the top RBs in the bench press, with 28 reps at 225 pounds. He is solidly considered a first-round pick in the April draft.

• Arkansas running back Darren McFadden, considered by some scouts the best pure talent in the draft, sent whoops through the media room when he ran a 4.27 40 in his first attempt, faster even than any wide receiver. In his second, he ran it in 4.33.

• California receiver DeSean Jackson was the fastest as his position, running the 40 in 4.35.