Renton – So far, rookie Deon Butler is as good as advertised.

In his first two days with the Seattle Seahawks, the speedy receiver and all-time receptions leader for Penn State has looked the part, showing a consistent ability to get deep against some of Seattle’s veteran corners.

At 5-foot-10, 182 pounds, Butler could afford to gain a pound or two. But his trademark speed has been on display, showing why Seattle spent fifth- and seventh-round picks in the draft, along with a third-round pick next year, to move up to take Butler in the third round.

Butler earned high praise from another former third-round pick – fellow receiver Nate Burleson.

“Being a third-round draft pick I know exactly what he’s going through,” Burleson said. “Especially coming to a team where the receiving corps is already set. But just by watching him practice, there’s no way he’s going to be sitting on the bench on game day, and that is for sure. … Running past some of the guys that we’re going to have on the field on the defensive side, it just shows that he’s going to be a competitor. And he’s going to be an integral part of our receiving corps.”

Butler said picking up the nuances of running routes has been the hardest adjustment, and that’s he’s been leaning on veterans T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Deion Branch and Burleson for guidance.

“This is definitely challenging when you get a playbook thrown at you like this,” Butler said. “You have to be able to think quickly and be effective, because you have veterans already out here and they don’t move at your speed. Even though it’s rookie camp, we’re not moving at rookie speed. So you’ve got to just keep up and keep going.”

Butler said he has had regular conversations with former Seahawks and fellow Penn State receiver Bobby Engram.

“I spoke to him right before I came out here,” Butler said. “He had nothing but good things to say to me and told me this would be a good fit for me, and that I would enjoy it out here. … I met him at the Rose Bowl in California. So he’s been real helpful. He’s definitely helped me as far as what to expect at this level on and off the field.

Burleson making progress

Burleson practiced for the first time during drills this week since having surgery to repair the ACL in his left knee in September, and said he felt comfortable running and getting in and out of cuts

“For so long I’ve just been rehabbing and running around with tennis shoes on,” Burleson said. “So it’s just good to be out here and catching the ball again.”

Trufant Foundation event

Cornerback Marcus Trufant. a Tacoma native, will host the Trufant Family Foundation 6th Annual Celebration from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. on May 16 at Al Davies Boys and Girls Club. The cost is $5 and includes performances by Blue Thunder and the Sea Gals, along with an autograph session with Trufant and other Seahawks, carnival activities and an awards ceremony at 3 p.m.

“It’s always good to be able to come back where you started,” Trufant said. “That’s where I started my athletic career in elementary school at the boys and girls club. It was a great place to go after school. I had a safe place to go, a place to have fun, and it’s always good to be able to come back and get everybody involved. It’s a good deal.”

Rain, rain go away

Rookies got a wet welcome to Seattle Saturday afternoon as dark clouds rolled in and a heavy downpour drenched the field midway through the second practice.

But instead of blowing the whistle, packing up and heading to the indoor practice facility, coach Jim Mora continued practice as reporters ran for cover.

The heavy rain eased up about 15 minutes later.

blogs.thenewstribune.com/seahawks