Jennings feels right at home

Seahawks first-round draft pick Kelly Jennings’ temporary digs remind him of his hometown.

Jennings, a cornerback from the University of Miami, signed a five-year contract and joined the team for training-camp practice Sunday afternoon at Eastern Washington University.

“Cheney reminds me of my home, a lot of farmland,” said Jennings, who is from Live Oak, Fla. “It kind of feels like home.”

Jennings missed three practices, but will be on hand for the first full-pads practice this morning.

“It’s been a rough week, things going on, guys coming into camp, guys signing,” Jennings said. “But it’s a business and I trust my agent and put it all in his hands and we got the deal done.”

It was widely reported Jennings’ deal includes $5 million guaranteed and could be worth as much as $9.5 million.

The 5-foot-10, 178-pound Jennings is expected to battle Kelly Herndon for the starting position opposite Marcus Trufant. Herndon started six games last season, his first as a Seahawk.

“We have a need for him (Jennings),” team president Tim Ruskell said. “All the other guys are stepping up as well. I know he’s going to contribute and see playing time. How much will just depend on how far he can go.”

Jennings had 43 tackles and three interceptions on a Miami defense that led the nation in pass defense last season.

“We’re not going to hand anybody anything,” head coach Mike Holmgren said. “We like his playing ability. He’s got to earn it.”

Oh brother!

Marcus Trufant’s younger brother, Isaiah, is an Eastern Washington University alum who plays defensive back for the arenafootball2 Spokane Shock, which wrapped up a 14-2 regular season with a win over Rio Grande Valley on Saturday. Marcus was at the Arena last week when Isaiah and the Shock edged the Everett Hawks 69-68.

“The arena league is crazy, guys running around, fighting, people getting rammed up against the wall,” Marcus said. “Isaiah likes it. He’s a smaller guy and he can run around. You just go out there and it’s basically one-on-one, just like on the practice field, so it’s good for him.”

Marcus has attended a few of Everett’s home games. Seahawks fullback Mack Strong served as a television analyst for several Hawks’ games.

Staying put – for now

As much as Holmgren would like to see Seneca Wallace play some receiver or return kicks, it’s likely Wallace will remain as the No. 2 quarterback.

“It comes up all the time,” Holmgren said. “We talked about it last night again. If you brought in a veteran quarterback now it would be pretty hard for him to get up to speed with our offense. That doesn’t mean we’re not still looking.”

Wallace had a 28-yard reception against Carolina and also lined up at receiver in the Super Bowl.

“I can’t take the risk of allowing Seneca to do some of those other things,” Holmgren said. “We have a whole bunch of stuff ready if we ever get that chance.”

Notes

The Seahawks signed former Boise State Bronco defensive tackle Alex Guerrero, a 2005 first-team All-Western Athletic Conference selection. He practiced Sunday afternoon. … The word chilly is rarely associated with training camp, but it accurately described the conditions for Sunday’s morning session. Howling winds made pass plays difficult and perhaps played a role in an inordinate number of dropped passes. “I want to thank Anchorage for allowing us to have training camp here,” Ruskell said. … Reserve center Lance Reynolds was carted off the field with a foot injury midway through the morning practice. He was on crutches later in the day. … Backup offensive tackle Ray Willis sat out with a tender hamstring.