RENTON – For all its highs and lows, its exhilaration and disappointment, the Seattle Seahawks’ 2007 offseason is beginning to rival the roller-coaster ride that was the 2006 regular season.
The Seahawks rebounded from losing out on offensive free agents like guard Kris Dielman and tight end Daniel Graham by bolstering the defense with end Patrick Kerney and safeties Deon Grant and Brian Russell.
The team got good news regarding the successful surgery on quarterback Matt Hasselbeck’s non-throwing shoulder. And then got bad news about former tight end Jerramy Stevens, who is under investigation for drinking and driving as well as possession of marijuana.
Even Tuesday, when the team planned to officially commemorate the spot where a new practice facility is being built in Renton, team president Tim Ruskell faced questions about an off-the-field incident involving Kerney.
The Atlanta Police Department is investigating a report of a sexual assault that allegedly occurred at Kerney’s residence. The police report indicates that Kerney was not involved, but was home sleeping at the time. “It’s an unfortunate situation,” Ruskell said. “They’re still investigating it. Our concern is for the woman who was assaulted, first and foremost.”
A lawyer representing the alleged victim sent out a press release Tuesday that stated his client wanted “to make clear that Mr. Kerney is in no way involved in the incident.
“Mr. Kerney was in fact the first person to contact authorities,” the statement of lawyer Von A. DuBose continued, “and has encouraged my client to pursue criminal charges against the offender once he is identified.”
The police report states that the alleged assailant was one of three black males who were at Kerney’s home. Kerney is white.
According to the police report, the alleged victim is a friend of Kerney’s who came back to his house with three other men after spending part of Saturday night at a bar in the Buckhead neighborhood. She fell asleep, the report states, after which time she was sexually assaulted.
A statement released by Kerney acknowledged that he is friends with the victim, but explained that the former Atlanta Falcon and current Seahawk was sleeping when the guests arrived and during the time the incident allegedly took place.
The news comes less than a week after Stevens, who is currently an unsigned free agent, was pulled over and booked for DUI in Arizona. On Tuesday, Ruskell confirmed that Stevens is no longer in the Seahawks’ plans. “It’s probably time for a change of scenery, to move on,” Ruskell said.
Coach Mike Holmgren, who also attended Tuesday’s ceremony, said he was disappointed to hear about Stevens’ latest problems.
“I feel bad for him and his family. … I like him personally, and when he’s been healthy and playing, you couldn’t ask for a harder worker,” Holmgren said. “But after a guy’s been in too many jams, he has to work on life’s issues rather than football-related stuff. I really wish him well.”
While that kind of news has created disappointment for the Seahawks, the offseason has also brought reason for cheer.
The additions of Kerney, Grant and Russell bolster a defense that struggled with inconsistency last season. While the only offensive player added has been 35-year-old tight end Marcus Pollard, who signed with the team last week, the defense has gotten plenty of help through free agency.
“It’s going well,” Ruskell said of free agency. “We have a plan, a target group. You knew you weren’t going to get all of them, but we feel real good. We addressed some needs and feel good about the people we brought in.”
Also giving reason for optimism has been Hasselbeck’s recovery from surgery to repair a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder.
“He’s ahead of schedule,” Ruskell said. “I think he could throw a Nerf ball right now if he had to. He’ll probably do a little light throwing in the post-draft camp (in May), and we’re for sure looking at the June camp for him throwing.”
Quick slants: Ruskell said veteran guard Chris Gray is among the players still being targeted in free agency. “He’s still wrestling with the decision of playing or not playing,” Ruskell said. The Seahawks’ team president added that additional players will be added before next month’s draft. “There won’t be any big splashes,” he said, “but we’re not done.” … The team’s new practice facility, which is being built in Renton with private funds, is slated to be completed in summer 2008. The Seahawks will continue to practice in their Kirkland facility this summer and fall.
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