Free-agent Kerney's shoulder ready for Hawks' minicamp
excerpt:
KIRKLAND -- At his first minicamp as a member of the Seahawks last month, Patrick Kerney did too much standing around and watching.
It was understandable, since the team's biggest free-agent addition this offseason was recovering from surgery to repair a torn pectoral muscle in his right shoulder.
Understandable, if not enjoyable.
"Certainly, when you get to a new place you want to start showing your worth to your new teammates and try to make a good first impression," the veteran defensive end said last week. "So delaying that was frustrating.
"Standing and watching, that's definitely something I wasn't used to."
That will change Monday, when Kerney, coming off the first serious injury of his eight-year NFL career, will be allowed to participate in at least some team drills as the Seahawks open their final minicamp -- an eight-practice affair that runs through June 14.
"Last time was purely precautionary," Kerney said. "I think now, they're a little more comfortable with what I've been doing in the weight room and on the field at the last camp.
"So I think I'll definitely be able to participate in some of the team drills, if not all."
Despite his limited on-field participation, Kerney has made an immediate impact on his new team and teammates. The day after he agreed to sign, Kerney was in the weight room at the team's facility rehabbing his shoulder. He has been not only a regular in the ongoing offseason program, but one of the metronomes who sets the pace.
None of this has come as a surprise. Kerney's leadership abilities and uncompromising approach to the game were part of what attracted the Seahawks, and prompted them to offer the former Atlanta Falcon a six-year, $39.5 million contract.
Jim Mora knows all about Kerney's intangibles. He spent three seasons as the Falcons head coach before being hired in January to coach the Seahawks secondary.
"Tremendous passion, energy, enthusiasm for the game," Mora said when asked what Kerney brings. "He is a relentless pass-rusher. He is a relentless worker.
"He is one of those guys when we were in Atlanta together and I wanted to show players what I meant by great effort, I would put (video of) Pat on. I would say, 'If we could all look like Pat does, if Pat doesn't stand out with his effort and energy level, then we are going where we want to go.' "
Free-agent Kerney's shoulder ready for Hawks' minicamp
Free-agent Kerney's shoulder ready for Hawks' minicamp
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