[HTML1]

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Tarvaris Jackson described the process he’s gone through with his injured pectoral muscle, from wincing in pain every time threw the ball to the point where he’s throwing with authority and confidence on a daily basis at practice this week.

“Earlier I was just trying to get to the point where I could be able to play,” he said. “And once I get to the game, it was more about trying to make plays than worry about my injury. But sometimes I’d feel it.

“I got more confidence now in it, honestly. My confidence kind of wavered in early, knowing maybe, ‘Okay, I maybe I can’t make that throw.,’ or worrying about if I was going to feel it if I made that throw, or would it take me out of the game.

Jackson’s stylish hat is courtesy of Everett Herald reporter John Boyle, who looks a lot like this guy from Mario Brothers. He said that lifting over time to strengthen the muscle around the injury have helped give him more confidence, and the pain has subsided to the point where he can go out and make all throws during practice, and come back and do it the next day.

“I’m not feeling it when I throw,” Jackson said. “I feel like I got all my arm strength back, so that gives you more confidence. Like I was saying when I first got hurt, to see other guys throw the ball, you kind of take it for granted to be able to throw the ball hard, and I couldn’t really do it. So it feels good to have it back.

“Sam (Seahawks head trainer Sam Ramsden) the trainer came to me today and was like, ‘Stop trying to show off.’ But it feels good to have my arm strength back. I’m kind of happy about it.”

Seahawks defensive coordinator Gus Bradley talked about the improvement of his young secondary playing press technique in the back end of the defense, particularly the play of rookie Richard Sherman, who had several interceptions in practice today.

“We put a lot on those guys now, “Bradley said. “There in a lot of press coverage, single safety middle where they’re forced to deal with a lot of one-on-ones.

“And you look at Richard Sherman – we lost (Marcus) Trufant, we lost Walter (Thurmond) – and then he had to step out his game. Really from the first time he went out there he’s played well for us.”

Linebacker David Hawthorne (knee) and defensive end Raheem Brock (knee) missed their second straight practice today.

Cornerback Kennard Cox (hamstring) was limited. Cornerback Byron Maxwell (illness) and Tarvaris Jackson (pectoral) were full participants.

For St. Louis, quarterbacks Sam Bradford (ankle) and A.J. Feeley (right thumb), defensive end Chris Long (ankle), kick returner Quinn Porter (abdomen), defensive tackle Fred Robbins (back) and fullback Brit Miller (knee) did not participate in practice.

Defensive end Eugene Sims (ankle) is limited, and offensive tackle Mark LeVoir (chest) was a full participant.