Jennings to get fourth shot at golden ring

Renton – The carousel at cornerback has circled back to Kelly Jennings.

With current starter Josh Wilson missing practice all week with a concussion and likely out against Minnesota this week, Jennings is in line to get his fourth start of the season. Four different players have started at cornerback for Seattle this year – Marcus Trufant, Ken Lucas, Jennings and Wilson.

Seahawks coach Jim Mora said that Wilson has earned the starting nod at cornerback opposite Trufant. But with Wilson probably out, he likes Jennings matched up against the Vikings’ talented group of receivers. And regardless of who starts, Jennings, Trufant and Lucas all will see playing time on Sunday.

“Josh has kind of won the position,” Mora said. “If he’s healthy he’s there. If he’s not playing, it’s kind of we’re going with Kenny or Kelly, depending on who we feel is maybe performing a little better at the time. And so it’s kind of a little bit of a feel thing each week.”

A first round draft pick in 2006, Jennings has not always lived up to expectations. He struggled through an injury-plagued season last year, starting six games but finishing with no interceptions and being victimized for long plays in the passing game as Seattle struggled to stop explosive gains in 2008.

Seattle gave up a league-worst 59 pass plays through the air of 20-yards or more last season. In nine games this year, the Seahawks have given up 20 pass plays of 20 yards or longer, tied for 24th.

Though he hasn’t had an interception in a regular-season game since his rookie season, Jennings has “gotten better,” Mora said. “And you see his confidence grow. And he’s made plays on the ball. And it’s really good to see him make that kind of improvement.

“Kelly’s been a hard worker for a long time, and to see him kind of bear the fruits of that is good.”

Part of the reason for his improved play is better health. Jennings had a nagging shoulder injury last season that required off-season surgery to repair a torn ligament. He saw spot duty as a starter for three games earlier this season when Josh Wilson went down with a high-ankle sprain against San Francisco.

“You really can find out what kind of person you are during those tough times and the way you respond to things,” Jennings said. “And through my faith and through all of that, God worked through me, and it really built my confidence with the way things are going now.”

Jennings will need to play at a high level against Minnesota’s talented receiver group, which includes emerging talent Sidney Rice, burner Bernard Berrian and rookie playmaker Percy Harvin, with wily veteran Brett Favre directing the passing attack.

“It’s a great test on Sunday because this is one of the best pass offenses in the NFL,” Mora said. “It’s a great group of receivers, a tremendous quarterback. So it’s a heck of a test, not only for Kelly but for all of us.”

FIVE FINED AFTER ARIZONA GAME

Apparently, Mora got the league’s attention after submitting 17 plays for consideration to the league’s officiating office on Monday. The NFL fined Arizona defensive tackle Darnell Dockett $7,500 for his elbow to Seattle quarterback Matt Hasselbeck’s neck in last week’s game between the two teams.

Arizona cornerback Bryant McFadden also was fined $5,000 for grabbing the facemask against T.J. Houshmandzadeh in the game. Arizona running back Beanie Wells was fined $5,000 for hitting Seattle safety Deon Grant after the whistle, and Grant was fined $5,000 for instigating the confrontation. And Seattle safety Jordan Babineaux was fined $7,500 for a horse-collar tackle against Anquan Boldin.

EXTRA POINTS

Along with Wilson (concussion), Julius Jones (bruised lung) did not practice and will not play Sunday. Defensive tackle Craig Terrill (shoulder) was a limited participant in practice and is questionable. And center Chris Spencer (thumb/back) and CB Marcus Trufant (concussion) were full participants in practice and are probable.

Eric D. Williams: 253-597-8437

eric.williams@thenewstribune.com

blog.thenewstribune.com/seahawks