Seahawks young receivers getting a chance

KIRKLAND — Logan Payne arrived in Seattle one year ago this week, packing one bag and a whole lot of hope for his first workouts with the Seahawks.

Payne came from the University of Minnesota, an undrafted rookie undaunted by the uncertainty of his future.

"I just kind of put on my blinders," Payne said. "And went out to play as hard as I can and try and maximize my possibilities."

He played his way onto Seattle's practice squad, and now here he is, one year later getting practice time with the Seahawks' first-string offense in what amounts to an elevator ride up the typical NFL career ladder.

He's not alone. Payne is one of four players with very little experience getting a big opportunity at wide receiver.

"It's probably not the norm to be on the practice squad the year before and then be out there with the starters and have the opportunity that these guys have had," quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said.

Nate Burleson will start at split end, and Bobby Engram is a stellar slot receiver, but last year's starting flanker, Deion Branch, is recovering from knee surgery and D.J. Hackett now plays for Carolina. That means the chances for playing time at that position can best be described with the two words wide receivers most love to hear: wide open.

That leaves, Payne, Jordan Kent, Courtney Taylor and Ben Obomanu all getting practice time with the first-unit offense at this weekend's minicamp. None were drafted higher than the fifth round, they have 17 regular-season receptions combined, and all have a chance to show they're ready for a regular role in the receiving rotation.

"It's an open competition," Hasselbeck said. "A great chance to make a name for yourself and get in on a good offense and maybe even catch some balls, be a contributor."

Obomanu caught 12 passes last season, his second with the team, and Taylor caught five passes as a rookie. Payne and Kent were members of the practice squad, preparing the Seahawks defense for what it would see each week.

Kent is 6 feet 4 with sprinter's speed but not much football experience. Payne is a technically sound receiver with great hands who played Ocho Cinco in practice one week in 2007, preparing his Seahawks teammates to face Cincinnati's Chad Johnson. Now he's catching passes from a Pro Bowl quarterback under the eye of a coach who's a renowned offensive architect with a "Vacant" sign currently flashing at flanker.

That's the position Branch played for the Seahawks last season, but he suffered a torn knee ligament in the playoff game at Green Bay. Coach Mike Holmgren said this week Branch's recovery is a little ahead of schedule, but no one has said he's certain to be ready when the regular season begins.

Some thought Seattle might look for a receiver in free agency. Instead, the Seahawks lost one, watching Hackett leave.

The decision to watch Hackett walk away after an injury-filled 2007 season amounted to a bet on the abilities of the team's younger receivers. The Seahawks doubled down on that bet in the draft. When it came time for the Seahawks to make their first-round pick, no wide receivers had been chosen. The Seahawks didn't choose a receiver with that first pick, and they didn't pick one with any of their six subsequent selections, either.

That amounted to a vote of confidence that at least two of the younger receivers on the roster will step into regular roles in the offense.

"They put a lot of faith in us, obviously, not taking a receiver," Payne said. "So we're going to come out and work hard every day."

The opportunity is right there at the fingertips of Payne, Kent, Taylor and Obomanu. None were first-day draft choices yet all have an opportunity to grab playing time. As is so often the case with receivers, the question will come down to who can hang on to that opportunity.

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