Marshawn Lynch says nothing about arrest
ERIC D. WILLIAMS
Marshawn Lynch made national headlines earlier this month after being charged with driving under the influence of alcohol in his hometown of Oakland.
The enigmatic Seattle Seahawks running back was in uniform for the opening practice of training camp in Renton but did not talk to reporters.
Lynch released a statement through the team last week apologizing for the incident.
Lynch’s attorney said Lynch pleaded not guilty to the DUI charge last week. His next scheduled hearing is Sept. 27.
Seattle coach Pete Carroll said he has been in contact with the league but that he would not speak specifically about the situation.
“Marshawn and I have been on the topic since the first day of it,” Carroll said. “And we’ve had very good communication about it. There’s a process going on that we really can’t even talk about it. But I’m pleased with the way he’s worked with us, so we understand what’s going on.”
When asked about his initial reaction when finding out about the incident, Carroll said he was concerned and disappointed, but also appreciated the proactive way that Lynch handled the situation.
“I didn’t know the facts or anything about it,” Carroll said. “But we talked our way through it and understand it. And I was pleased with the way we interacted so that we could be on top of it.”
Carroll also said that he believes the team can lean on Turbin, this year’s fourth-round draft pick, should Lynch not be available to begin the regular season.
At 5 foot 10 and 222 pounds, Turbin ran for 1,517 yards and 19 touchdowns on 245 attempts his senior season for Utah State.
“There isn’t any question that he could be (the main running back),” Carroll said. “He had a bunch of carries in school, and if we needed him to play on a regular basis, he’s as physically fit as you could get. He’s used to pounding”
CLEMONS HAPPY
Seahawks defensive end Chris Clemons said he’s pleased to have the added security of his contract extension, a reported three-year, $21 million deal.
Clemons, who was in the final year of his contract, skipped mandatory minicamp to show his displeasure with his contract situation.
“It doesn’t secure everything,” Clemons said. “But it makes you feel better about how the team feels about you going into this next season, knowing you don’t have to worry about free agency. So I’m pretty happy about that.”
The Seahawks got Clemons and a 2010 fourth-round pick in a trade with Philadelphia two years ago for defensive end Darryl Tapp.
Seattle used the draft choice on North Carolina defensive lineman E.J. Wilson, who’s no longer with the team.
But Clemons has been a perfect fit for Seattle’s defense, posting 11-sack seasons in each of the past two years.
“Clemons played great football for us,” Carroll said. “We believed in Chris and what he brought to the program in the past, and what he will bring in the future.”
Clemons said he’s also excited to work with rookie defensive end Bruce Irvin, the No. 15 overall pick out of West Virginia.
Seattle plans to use Clemons and Irvin together in passing situations.
“Just watching him today, he’s super-fast,” Clemons said about Irvin. “So you know it’s going to help me.
“Hopefully I’m able to help him throughout the season, and help him mature as a football player.”
TIME TO MOVE ON
Asked about releasing receiver Mike Williams, a player he coached at USC, Carroll said it was time for both to go in a different direction.
Williams did not participate in Seattle’s offseason program because he was rehabbing from two surgeries to fix a broken ankle he suffered against Chicago in December that ended his 2011 season
But Seattle released Williams before the beginning of training camp. Williams finished with a disappointing 18 catches last season.
“Mike had come back and had done some good things for us,” Carroll said. “I just felt like it was time to move on. He’ll get another chance to do something somewhere else.”
EXTRA POINTS
Carroll announced that offensive lineman James Carpenter (knee), receiver Jermaine Kearse from Lakes High and the University of Washington (foot) and cornerback Walter Thurmond (leg) were placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list to begin training camp. ... Receiver Sidney Rice initially was reported on that list, but that was corrected and the South Carolina product practiced, albeit in a red jersey, which means he cannot be involved in contact. Carroll said that he still wants to protect Rice as much as he can. Rice is coming off of two shoulder surgeries this offseason. ... Carroll said that middle linebacker Barrett Ruud, who did not practice during the offseason because of shoulder, knee and groin issues, has been cleared to play and is slowly working his way back on the field. The same goes for cornerback Byron Maxwell. Carroll said that trainers initially thought that Maxwell had a stress fracture in his leg, but he’s been cleared to play and is working to get back into playing shape. ... Offensive tackle Allen Barbre had an excused absence in order to tend to an undisclosed family issue. He is expected to be at practice today.
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