Seahawks | Branch happy to hit the field

KIRKLAND — Deion Branch was well aware he had missed valuable time.

During last week's minicamp, the Seahawks' expected main target at wide receiver could have become more familiar with quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, and gotten a better feel for lining up on the other side of the line of scrimmage at flanker.

But Branch missed the practices while on a honeymoon with his new wife, Shola. He had hoped to get back from the Caribbean island of St. Lucia in time for at least a couple of sessions last week, but inclement weather prevented a more timely return. He finally practiced on Monday.

Branch heard about his tardiness from Hasselbeck, who sarcastically pointed out that the team had a great week of practice without one of the main guys.

The wedding was scheduled more than a year ago, even before Branch was traded from New England to Seattle. But Branch was happy to be back with the team.

"Just glad to be back out with the guys running around," Branch said. "The main thing is just hearing the plays from Matt, and not the coaches."

The first thing the Seahawks did upon Branch's return was check his body fat. Branch checked in at a solid 10 percent, having managed to fit in some treadmill work during his honeymoon.

"I think that was crazy," Branch said. "I'm glad it wasn't 20."

They'll drink to that

The Seahawks and Jones Soda Co. of Seattle officially announced their partnership Monday, and it was quite an affair at team headquarters.

Jones Soda brought bottles and bottles of its product for taste testing. An inflatable bottle dominated the main entrance, and a recreational vehicle emblazoned with the company logo blocked traffic on the road leading up to the facility.

When the news came last month that Jones Soda and the Seahawks had agreed to a five-year deal making the company the exclusive soft-drink sponsor at Qwest Field, it was widely viewed as a big victory for small companies in a world of big-time sponsorships.

Jones, a 12-year-old company known for innovative packaging that features bottle labels of photos submitted by customers, replaces Coca-Cola products at the stadium.

Branch and Josh Brown, two of several players whose photos are on the bottles, joined Seahawks CEO Tod Leiweke and Peter van Stolk, Jones Soda president and CEO, at the announcement.

"It's really cool," Brown said of having his photo on the bottle.

"I made it!" Branch exclaimed. "I'm very honored."

Jones will offer Seahawks fans several flavors of the drink, including berry lemonade, cola, ginger ale, green apple, lemon lime and sugar-free black cherry. Fans will also be able to collect bottles featuring photos of top Seahawks players.

Photos of fans will be taken at Qwest Field on game days, and people will have the opportunity to choose their favorite photos online to put on bottles.

"It's just an honor," van Stolk said. "We worked really hard to be in this position."

Leiweke expressed how unique the partnership is in the NFL and that the team is especially proud to support a local brand. Then he and van Stolk clinked bottles of soda together in a toast.

Notes

• In addition to Branch, RG Chris Gray made his June minicamp debut after moving his family from Alabama to Kirkland, and DE Darryl Tapp was back from a personal matter after missing last week.

• With the excused absence of LT Walter Jones, Ray Willis moved to left tackle with the No. 1 offense and Gray reassumed his right guard spot, where Willis had been playing. Coach Mike Holmgren would like for Willis to be a "swing guy," or someone who can play multiple line positions.

• OL Floyd Womack, who had arthroscopic surgery last week on both knees, might not be back until perhaps a week into training camp. But Holmgren still wants Womack to be part of the competition for a starting job on the right side of the line.

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