Hawks Seek To `Work Out Kinks' In Offense Without Blades
Tonight: Seahawks vs. Cardinals, Sun Devil Stadium, Tempe, Ariz., 7:30.
TV, radio: KING-TV (Channel 5), with Jim Leahey and Steve Largent; KIRO radio (710 AM), with Pete Gross, Steve Raible and Wayne Cody).
PHOENIX - The Seattle Seahawks are likely to display more of their new spread formation tonight against the Phoenix Cardinals.
But they will do it without wide receiver Brian Blades, who will miss another exhibition game while trying to renegotiate his contract.
Blades, who sat out last week's game in Tokyo, remained at home while his agent, Bruce Brown, attempted to persuade Seahawk President Tom Flores to sweeten the remaining two years on his contract. Flores said he absolutely would not redo the agreement.
Blades is subject to fines, probably $1,500 a game, and possible suspension.
In last week's 10-7 loss to the Denver Broncos, the Seahawks ran about 12 run-and-shoot plays.
``We'll probably expand on it a little,'' Coach Chuck Knox said. ``It's new and we've got to work out the kinks.''
Kelly Stouffer, who will start in place of Dave Krieg, said he hopes to use the spread more ``because we have to learn by trial and error.''
``In Tokyo, we just did a few basic things,'' Stouffer said. ``We just need to continue to get more reps with it. There are so many different options for the receivers and that means a lot more options for the quarterback. We're getting more comfortable with it.''
In addition to experimenting more with the spread, the Seahawks need to find out more about Stouffer. The third-year quarterback completed 12 of 23 passes, with three interceptions, against Denver.
Observers differ over whether the interceptions were Stouffer's fault. But most felt he did not receive much protection. Playing with the first unit might change that.
Krieg, who completed eight of nine passes last week, said he likes the spread because ``it gives you a variety of ways to attack the defense.''
``You can line up with four wide receivers, or three wide receivers and a tight end, and it looks like a pass,'' Krieg said. ``Then, boom, you give it to the running back and he finds a hole.''
The spread has not been difficult to learn, he said.
``It's not really that much different. You just have to find the open guy. The receivers read the defense and run their routes accordingly, so you have to be on the same page.
``It's still early, but I think it'sbeen pretty good so far. The diversification will help.''
The learning process might be more difficult for receivers than for the quarterbacks, Krieg said, ``because a receiver has one position in the regular offense, another in the gun and still another in the spread.''
The first-unit receivers in the spread are Blades, Tommy Kane, Jeff Chadwick and Paul Skansi. Blades declined to play last week and Kane was held out because of soreness in his knee. Kane is expected to play tonight.
Blades' absence might provide another chance for free agent Terry Obee of Oregon to showcase his talents as a receiver and as a kick returner.
Seattle's offense has potential, Krieg said, ``but a lot of guys will have to pick up the slack'' to make up for the loss of Steve Largent, Curt Warner and Mike Wilson.
Stouffer probably will play the first half tonight, with Jeff Kemp taking over in the third quarter.
Tonight's game likely will be played in 100-degree weather. Daytime temperatures have been nearing 110, with the nightly lows close to 90.
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SEAHAWK HIGHLIGHTS
For details of tonight's NFL exhibition game between the Seattle
Seahawks and Phoenix Cardinals and other late scores, call The
imes Scoreline at 464-2290 after 11 p.m.
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