Seahawks
New jersey guys talk numbers

By José Miguel Romero
Seattle Times staff reporter

	ROD MAR / THE SEATTLE TIMES Grant Wistrom looks a lot leaner in No. 96 than Cortez Kennedy did when he was a Pro Bowl defensive tackle for the Seahawks in the 1990s.
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KIRKLAND — First came the perfunctory hellos and handshakes with teammates. Then the introductions to equipment and training staff, followed by the first practice.

The Seahawks opened a three-day minicamp yesterday in Kirkland and welcomed their two newest teammates to the family.

When Day 1 of their Seattle careers had ended, Grant Wistrom and Bobby Taylor spoke of numbers.

Not statistics, uniform numbers.

A lean Wistrom wore No. 96, and the jersey fit well. The most recognized Seahawk to wear the number, hefty defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy, stretched every piece of fabric to its limit.

"I wore 96 in high school, so I'm just getting back to my roots," said Wistrom, who wore 98 with his former team, the St. Louis Rams. "I don't mind wearing 96 at all. I don't think I'll ever fill it out quite as well as he (Kennedy) did."

Taylor, the most recently signed Seahawk, sported No. 25. But the veteran cornerback made it clear he preferred to have No. 21, his old number at Philadelphia, Notre Dame and Longview (Texas) High School.

Cornerback Ken Lucas currently wears the number. Taylor said he would try to obtain the number from Lucas but would not say how.

"The verdict is not in yet," Taylor said. "I could go out there and play with no shirt on. But it's just something I've always had throughout my life, and it kind of becomes a part of you. But it won't make or break me."

Beyond uniform numbers, Wistrom and Taylor got their work in yesterday, as the Seahawks found themselves shorthanded on defense because of various injuries, surgery recoveries and absences from the voluntary camp.
 
"We didn't have too many guys out there playing corner, so we all had to step it up a little and get some extra reps in," Taylor said. "But we're all in shape, so it's fine, and we all love to play the game."

Coach Mike Holmgren said he sees both players as leaders.

"I think both guys are happy to be here," Holmgren said. "Now it's just kind of getting them used to how we do things, getting them used to the system, exposing them to the city of Seattle and why this is a good place to play.

"Grant's probably more demonstrative and Bobby's kind of quiet. But they both bring their own style of leadership, and that will help our defense."

Wistrom made his presence felt quickly, linebacker Isaiah Kacyvenski said. It didn't seem to matter that Wistrom, as he later confessed, was 10 pounds below his desired playing weight of 265 pounds.

"Grant came right in the huddle in our first team (drill) period and he kind of set the tone," Kacyvenski said. "Guys respect Bobby and Grant just because of what they've done in the league."

The new Seahawks expressed relief at not having to face Seattle's improved offense in games.

"Just getting a grasp of the defensive system is going to take some time, but it won't be a problem," Taylor said.

The biggest adjustment for Wistrom was being in a different locker room with plenty of unfamiliar faces. But he said he felt welcomed, and he showed he is confident in his teammates.

Asked if the Seahawks were any closer to being a championship-caliber team, Wistrom said, "I don't think it's a question of being close; they're there — going to the playoffs and losing a game they probably should have won last year. They just need a few small pieces, but it's definitely headed in the right direction."

Notes

• Among those not at practice: LB Anthony Simmons was excused to take care of personal business and is expected to practice today; DE Chike Okeafor is getting married; and CB Kris Richard was absent — to Holmgren's surprise.

• WR Alex Bannister is taking an unspecified free-agent visit. He has not signed his restricted-free-agent tender — the deadline is April 16 — and would have to sign a medical waiver to practice.

• Just three linebackers practiced yesterday, and OLB Chad Brown was the only returning starter.

• DT Rashad Moore was at practice but experienced shoulder pain that could require surgery, Holmgren said.

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

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