Rookie progress report

Now that the 2009 NFL draft has been and gone, we'll be keeping a close eye on the Seahawks' rookies and monitoring their progress during the off season. That doesn't just mean Aaron Curry, Max Unger and Deon Butler either - we're looking out for the Michael Bennett's and Devin Moore's who will be hoping to make the team. Mini camp has been taking place this weekend and here's what those present had to say...

Mike Sando watched Aaron Curry closely and was impressed with what he saw. "With his size and speed, Curry is also showing signs he'll make life easier for Tatupu. Curry took on the tight end and fullback on the same play Saturday, freeing Tatupu to make the play. Seattle hasn't had a linebacker with Curry's size-speed-strength potential since ... when?"

Dave Boling thinks Max Unger looks like 'a natural guard'. Starting Unger at guard will allow the team to give Chris Spencer one last chance to prove himself in a contract year and it also allows the former Oregon Duck a chance to learn his trade. Boling was also impressed by Devin Moore's speed despite a lack of size.

Greg Johns says Deon Butler has left a good initial impression. "In one-on-one drills against cornerbacks, Butler juked Josh Wilson on one play and then used his speed to blow past him and make the catch, then came back on his next series with a beautiful diving catch against Kevin Hobbs."

Clare Farnsworth was also impressed with Butler's smarts. "The graduate of Penn State didn’t get the CliffsNotes version of the Seahawks’ playbook until Tuesday, and wasn’t handed the War and Peace edition until he showed up at the team’s headquarters on Friday morning. But that didn’t stop Butler from impressing offensive coordinator Greg Knapp during the classroom session that preceded the first practice."

Chuck Stark shines some attention on undrafted rookie Tony Fein. "The physical specimen with the big tattooed arms which look like bazookas didn't get as many repetitions, but for Fein, it hardly mattered. For the one-time South Kitsap quarterback, this was his Disneyland. There was no other place on earth he'd rather be."

Eric Williams provides an interview with Butler, talking about his first few days as a Seahawk.