New Seahawk Allred Doesn't Quite Fit Image Of NFL Player
KIRKLAND - When the Seattle Seahawks dispatched someone to pick up Brian Allred at Sea-Tac Airport last month, the employee walked right by Allred.
Stuff like that happens all the time to Allred, a cornerback generously listed as being 5 feet 10.
There have been so many disbelieving comments, so many "Are you really a football player?"remarks since high school that Allred just keeps his mouth shut.
If someone asks him what he does, he just says, "I'm a student."
The second-year defensive back from Sacramento State may look like a grocery boy, but he can run and that's why he is in the NFL. He has been clocked at 4.38 seconds for 40 yards.
His speed enabled him to spend last season on the New York Giants' practice squad as a rookie. He was released by the new Giants' staff in camp this summer, but the Seahawks added him to their practice roster.
He was activated last week because Carlton Gray is out for six weeks and James Jefferson was coming off an ankle injury.
Allred played on kickoff coverage last week but could get more work this Sunday in Houston facing a run-and-shoot offense.
In preparation, he has been given extra tutoring on catching the ball, which he acknowledges is the weakest part of his game. He admits his hands are sometimes "like rocks."
Allred turned down offers from Pittsburgh and Maryland to be a wide receiver. Instead, he wound up playing defensive back at Hancock (Calif.) Junior College and then at Sacramento State.
Explaining his preference for defense, Allred said, "I think it's more that I'd rather hit than be hit. I like the intimidation factor of defense."
NOTES
-- Coach Tom Flores said he might give the injured thigh of linebacker Kevin Murphy another week to heal. He said he is afraid of risking further injury to Murphy on Sunday in a game in which linebackers won't be as essential as defensive backs because of Houston's run-and-shoot offense.
-- Flores said cornerback James Jefferson, now in his second week of practice since recovering from a severe ankle sprain in Week 2, will suit up Sunday.
-- About 2,800 tickets remain for the next home game, Nov. 14 against Cleveland.
-- Tee it up means two things to Houston place-kicker Al Del Greco. He was named by Golf Magazine as the best golfer among pro athletes who don't play golf for a living.
-- Linebacker Anthony Davis, a Pasco High School alum, is the 23rd graduate of a Washington high school ever to play for the Seahawks. Pasco High leads in all-time in-state Seahawk production with three: linebacker Michael Jackson, tight end Ron Howard and Davis.
Eight of the 23 in-state Seahawks only played as replacements during the 1987 strike.
The list of nonstrike state players: Fred Anderson, Toppenish, played in 1980-83; Terry Dion, Auburn, 1980; Dan Doornink, Wapato, 1979-85; Brian Flones, Burlington-Edison, 1981-82; Howard, Pasco, 1976-78; Gordon Hudson, Kennewick, 1986; Jackson, Pasco, 1979-86; Doug Long, Shelton, 1977-78; Mark McGrath, Shorecrest, 1981; Mike O'Brien, West Bremerton, 1979; Geoff Reece, Cascade-Everett, 1977; Terry Rennaker, Inglemoor, 1980; Paul Skansi, Peninsula-Gig Harbor, 1984-91 and John Yarno, Ferris-Spokane, 1977-82.
The 1987 strike players were: Brant Bengen, Bellingham; Dale Dorning, Federal Way; Mike Hagen, Auburn; Kevin Juma, Fife; Mark Keel, Clover Park; Fred Orns, Shorewood; Ken Sager, Goldendale, and Garth Thomas, Redmond.
-- Sunday's game will have a revenge factor for Davis, drafted by Houston last year then released from its practice squad.