RENTON – Two days after trading for another team’s disappointing first-round pick, the Seattle Seahawks moved one of their own struggling first-round selections on Wednesday, trading defensive end Lawrence Jackson to the Detroit Lions for a sixth round pick.
On Monday, The Seahawks gave up a sixth rounder to secure the services of defensive tackle Kentwan Balmer from San Francisco, so the two trades were a wash in terms of compensation, with the Seahawks essentially swapping Jackson for Balmer.
A USC product, Jackson is the second former high-profile Trojans player Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll has parted ways with. In May, Seattle released running back LenDale White just over a month after the team made a draft-day trade with Tennessee to obtain him. White recently signed a deal to join the Denver Broncos.
Jackson, the No. 28 overall pick in the 2008 draft, failed to live up to expectations in two seasons with the Seahawks. With the success of Red Bryant converting from defensive tackle to defensive end, along with the addition of Balmer, Jackson became expendable.
“Detroit showed strong interest in Lawrence and this provides him an opportunity to move forward while he is still early in his career,” Seahawks general manager John Schneider said in a prepared statement.
Jackson started 24 of 31 games with Seattle, finishing with 61 tackles (49 solo) and 6.5 sacks. He posted a career-high 41/2 sacks in 2009. Jackson had returned to practice on Tuesday for the first time in over a week after sitting out to rehab a lingering hamstring issue.
Jackson said he felt healthy. With the arrival of Balmer and the play of Bryant, the Seahawks had moved Jackson to the speed rusher Leo position, which did not appear to be an ideal fit for his skill set.
Jackson had mostly worked at the Leo position with the second and third units. He said it was a position he feels comfortable playing, but he also was willing to swing to the other side and play some 5-technique if asked.
“There’s no question that a bigger guy is what they want,” Jackson said. “Can I play that side? Yes. I don’t feel like I need to beef up. I came in at 275. And then they said, ‘Well, you can stay at this spot (Leo).’”
Jackson continued the trend of Seahawks moving east to Detroit. He joins former Seahawks wide receiver Nate Burleson, linebacker Julian Peterson, running back Maurice Morris, offensive guard Rob Sims and tight end Will Heller with the Lions.
Eric D. Williams: 253-597-8437 blog.thenewstribune.com/seahawks
Seahawks training camp
WR Tate still learning new offense
Wide receiver Golden Tate said he feels fine physically and is not feeling any training camp fatigue, with one day of practice remaining before camp concludes today.
But the biggest thing Tate’s struggling with right now is learning the precise route running of the West Coast offense and making sure he’s in the right spot at the right time.
“I feel like I know the material,” Tate said. “But there’s little things in there, like little holes where I’m supposed to be. Or if I release this way, it’s going to push me in 2 more yards, when I’m supposed to be 3 more yards the other way.
“I feel like I know this 12-yard in-route, but there’s so many logistics to it, and that’s what I’m trying to learn right now.”
Tate finished with two catches for 5 yards against Tennessee on Saturday, and dropped a pass from Charlie Whitehurst on during a two-minute situation. Tate understands he can play better, but is happy the first game is behind him.
Happy homecoming for Gordon
The Seahawks used the vacant roster spot left by Lawrence Jackson’s trade to sign defensive tackle Amon Gordon.
Playing for the Seahawks is a homecoming of sorts for Gordon, who prepped at Mariner High in Everett before moving to San Diego to finish his high school career.
Quoteworthy
“One guy makes a mistake, or doesn’t run the right depth, or misses a block, then the offense fails. ... On offense, you have to have 11 all working together, forming that concert. And when it flows, it looks special.”
– Seahawks offensive coordinator Jeremy Bates, on what he wants to see against Green Bay on Saturday.
Eric D. Williams, staff writer The Associated Press contributed to this report
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