Rookie tight end Hawks' likely starter

KIRKLAND -- In 16 seasons as an NFL head coach -- seven in Green Bay, nine in Seattle -- Mike Holmgren has never started a rookie tight end.

Why? Holmgren is the first to admit that it is difficult for a rookie to play the position in his offense because so much is asked of the tight end. But that said, this rookie-less streak is expected to end this fall in Holmgren's final season with the Seahawks.

Straddling this historic situation is John Carlson, the tight end from Notre Dame the Seahawks selected in the second round of the draft, trading up 17 spots to ensure getting him.

After the failed experiment that was signing 35-year-old Marcus Pollard last year, the Seahawks had to have a tight end -- and they wanted it to be Carlson.

"The tight end situation was an interesting one, because it was no secret that we were looking hard at the tight ends," Holmgren said after drafting Carlson. "As an organization, we probably spent as much time on the tight ends as any position in the draft."

All that work led to one conclusion: "John Carlson was the most all-around solid guy," Holmgren said.

Carlson, however, has waded into the expectations, rather than making an immediate splash.

Due to a pecking order at the position based on seniority, Carlson didn't get as many reps as needed last month in the three-day post-draft minicamp. During this first week of the team's final two-week minicamp, he got off to a slow start because of a sore hamstring. But this situation will change next week, and when training camp opens in late July.

"John Carlson is a good player, and we'll be better at that position," offensive coordinator Gil Haskell said. "But we've got to handle him correctly. I told him, 'If the hamstring bothers you, get out (of the drill). I need you in training camp. I don't need you here.' "

The past two days, Carlson did get some reps in the team drills, and showed some of the skills that attracted the Seahawks. On one play Thursday, he recognized that his original route was being clogged by a linebacker who had dropped into coverage. Rather than force it, Carlson settled into the spot vacated and was open to take a pass from Matt Hasselbeck.

Holmgren approached him after the play to offer a few words and a pat for a job well done.

It was a little thing that could pay dividends in the passing game, and it wasn't by accident.

"John is here a lot," Hasselbeck said. "I see him when I get here in the morning. He's got a playbook. And when I'm leaving, he's still here. He's definitely doing double time and trying to get ready, trying to get up to speed. He has a great opportunity and he's learning from some of the best coaches in the game."

Carlson just shrugs and smiles when told of Hasselbeck's comments.

"I don't understand the offense the way that Matt Hasselbeck does," Carlson said. "So this is my job now and it's my responsibility to really learn it. It's challenging, but I'm excited."

Carlson also has turned into a human sponge when it comes to absorbing tricks of the trade from the more experienced tight ends on the roster -- Will Heller, who started six games last season; and Jeb Putzier, who was signed this year in free agency.

"I have a lot of respect for these guys as football players, but also as people," Carlson said. "They've treated me with respect and kindness."

They also treat him as a rookie. As Carlson was answering questions outside the locker room, Putzier was peeking around the corner and trying to disrupt his concentration -- to no avail.

There obviously is pressure attached to his entry-level position at such a key position. But Carlson appears to be handling it, if not completely blocking it out -- a difficult task when he's asked about it on a daily basis.

"I think it's great, because that means they see something in me," Carlson said. "Hopefully I can live up to their expectations."

The Seahawks aren't just planning on it; they're counting on it.