RENTON – Braylon Edwards made an early statement for earning a roster spot with the Seattle Seahawks last week against Tennessee, hauling in a 39-yard touchdown pass.
But the 29-year-old veteran receiver understands that’s just the beginning – he has to put together another strong performance Saturday in Denver.
Added to Seattle’s roster four days into training camp, the 6-foot-3, 214-pound Edwards has the size and speed to be a power receiver for the Seahawks. And two weeks into camp, Edwards has shown that he has fully recovered from offseason knee surgery by consistently making explosive plays in practice.
But with Seattle recently signing 38-year-old veteran Terrell Owens, and with second-year pros Ricardo Lockette and Kris Durham battling to earn their time on the field, Edwards knows he has to take advantage of every rep.
“It definitely drives me,” Edwards said. “We definitely have some guys that are notable, as well as guys that are out here working hard and making plays. So you definitely want to be at the top of your game every practice because you don’t get many opportunities. So when you get them, you’ve got to make them count.”
Golden Tate and Ben Obomanu are the starting receivers on the team’s official depth chart, which was released for the first time this week. Sidney Rice is not listed as a starter because he will not play against Denver, despite being allowed to participate in contact practices for the first time this week.
Edwards is listed as the team’s third-team split end behind Tate and Durham.
With 13 receivers on the roster, Seattle receivers coach Kippy Brown is in charge of getting each a fair look; rotating receivers through a scripted session for each practice, with specific plays in mind for each player.
“Like any good player, he just has to get comfortable with the offense,” Brown said of Edwards. “But that will come with time. And he’s already shown good playmaking ability, and we’re pleased with that.”
One player with whom Edwards has developed a nice rapport is starting quarterback Matt Flynn. The duo connected on several deep plays and red-zone touchdowns during training camp, and Edwards appears to be a target whom Flynn seeks out under duress.
“He’s a big receiver, good hands, good route-runner – so there’s not much to not like there,” Flynn said. “He’s done a very nice job. He’s making a lot of plays for us, and especially down the field. He’s a big threat because he’s a big, athletic kind of guy. And he has great concentration.”
FLYNN SAYS QB JOB STILL UP FOR GRABS
Flynn found out he would start at quarterback this week in Denver during a radio interview.
“I’m finding out along with you guys,” he said during the interview. “I found out from you guys before I found out from anybody else (Tuesday). I’m just going where they tell me to go and doing the best I can.”
Flynn said he talked with coach Pete Carroll after the interview to get the official word. And even though he’s starting a second straight exhibition game, Flynn said he doesn’t assume he’ll be the starter for the team’s season opener in Arizona.
“I don’t feel like I have an inside track or anything like that,” he said. “I’m just going out there, putting my hard hat on every day and working.”
One thing Flynn will look to do more of is complete longer pass plays. Although he was an efficient 11 of 13 for 71 yards against the Tennessee, Flynn’s longest completion was for 14 yards, to tight end Zach Miller.
“We’ll see what they do,” Flynn said. “We’ll see what kind of defense they are giving us. It’s not like we didn’t have anything down the field called. You can’t force it down the field.
“Sometimes they call the right defense at the right time. If it’s not there, check it down and go to the next play.”
INJURY UPDATE
Fullback Michael Robinson and safety Jeron Johnson returned to practice after sitting out Tuesday because of unspecified injuries. … Linebackers Matt McCoy (knee) and Malcolm Smith (hamstring), defensive ends Cordarro Law (ankle) and Pierre Allen (unknown), cornerback Ron Parker (unknown), tight end Miller (concussion) and offensive lineman John Moffitt (elbow) remained sidelined Wednesday. They were joined by center Lemuel Jeanpierre (groin) wide receiver Tate, tight ends Anthony McCoy and Cameron Morrah and linebacker Mike Morgan. Cornerback Walter Thurmond (leg) and offensive lineman James Carpenter (knee) remain on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
eric.williams@thenewstribune.com 253-597-8437 blog.thenewstribune.com/seahawks @eric_d_williams
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