Mora's First Practice Wrap-Up

by: Mike Parker

Mike Sando gave readers his first impressions of the new-look Seahawks today. There's no point in copying his every observation, but some of these might dispel some rumors:

-Walter Jones and ten other veterans were held out of practice, merely as a precaution. Sando noted, however, that his absence was felt. Seeing the line play today might entice executives to rethink the possibility of drafting a lineman earlier, if they haven't already.

-Matt Hasselbeck's back injury is a "fading memory." The Pro Bowl QB looked like his old self again, reportedly, and will only continue to look sharper as he reconnects with Burleson, Branch and company. I'm looking forward to seeing him establish chemistry with TJ Houshmandzadeh, personally.

-Hasselbeck also said he's "not going anywhere" in reference to the Hawks taking a QB with the fourth overall pick. Could this officially mean Stafford at No. 4 isn't an option?

-The defensive line looks as beefed up on the field as it does on paper, Sando said. Brandon Mebane was his usual disruptive self, with Colin Cole playing well at nose tackle. I'm excited to see what Mora and Gus Bradley are going to do with a unit of this size and versatility.

With the offensive line appearing to be lacking early on, does Jason Smith or Eugene Monroe suddenly become a more pragmatic and appealing option with the fourth overall pick? It's only been one practice, of course, but it's still something the front office might be taking more seriously now. -END-