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ENLARGE
Seattle Seahawks tight end Joe Newton catches a pass during a summer workout
with the
Roseburg High School football team at
Finlay Field on Tuesday. The former Oregon State
standout returned to the field where he earned Parade All-American honors for the Indians in 2001.
He's hoping
to make
Seattle's
active roster after being on the
practicSeattle Seahawks tight end Joe Newton catches a pass during a summer workout
with the
Roseburg High School football team at
Finlay Field on Tuesday. The former Oregon State
standout returned to the field where he earned Parade All-American honors for the Indians in 2001.
He's hoping
to make
Seattle's
active roster after being on the
practice squad the past two years.e squad the past two years.
|
ENLARGE
|
Joe
Newton lines up
during a workout
with
members
of the
Roseburg football team at Finlay Field in Roseburg
on Tuesday. At right is quarterback Darren
Nelson.
|
Joe Newton is in Roseburg this week visiting his family, and found some time Tuesday morning for a summer workout at the high school with members of the Roseburg High football team.
“I haven't been around the program much, and it was good to get down there and hang out with some of the younger guys,” said the 25-year-old Newton, a 2002 RHS graduate who's now a tight end with the Seattle Seahawks. “I talked to coach (Thurman) Bell, and it was good to see him and the other coaches.”
“Joe looks lean and mean,” said Bell, who's entering his 39th season as the Indians' head coach.
Newton — a Parade High School-All American tight end for Roseburg as a senior in 2001 and was honored by getting his No. 87 retired — played at Oregon State for three years ending in 2006.
The 6-foot-7, 250-pounder caught 105 passes and scored 15 touchdowns for the Beavers, the most scoring receptions ever by an OSU tight end. He helped the Beavers to victories in the Las Vegas Bowl in 2003, Insight Bowl in 2004 (player of the game with seven catches and two TDs) and Sun Bowl in 2006 (six catches and two TDs).
“I think only half our kids knew who Joe was when I introduced him,” Bell said. “Joe is such a great kid, and he fit right in there. I think the kids appreciated how nice and helpful he was to them.”
Newton signed with the Seahawks after going undrafted, and spent the past two seasons on the practice squad. The eight players on the practice squad participate in team practices, but don't dress down for games. They can be added to the active roster should an injury or opening occur.
Seattle's training camp begins on July 31 and Newton, who has yet to suit down for a regular season game, is hopeful of making the 53-player roster.
“(The Seahawks) have kept me around for two years, and must have thought I had some potential and are willing to invest in it,” Newton said. “I'd like to show them it worked. That's my goal.
“I feel I have my best chance this year (to make the team). I don't like to make predictions, but I'm pretty optimistic and am excited to see what happens.”
John Carlson, a second-year pro out of Notre Dame, is the starter heading into fall camp after leading the Seahawks with 55 receptions for 627 yards and five TDs in 2008. John Owens, an eighth-year pro from Notre Dame, was signed March 9 and is listed as the No. 2 tight end.
Newton will likely compete against rookies Cameron Morrah (California) and John Tereshinkski (Wake Forest) for the third spot.
Jim Mora is the Seahawks' new head coach, replacing Mike Holmgren.
“It's still a West Coast offense, and a lot is similar to the offense we ran last year, with small variations,” Newton said.
Newton and his wife, Janelle, make their home in Issaquah.
The first of four preseason games for the Seahawks is Aug. 15 at San Diego. Seattle opens the regular season at home Sept. 13 against St. Louis.
Seattle's roster is full of former Ducks and Beavers. Also attempting to make the squad are defensive end Nick Reed (Oregon), offensive lineman Max Unger (Oregon), and wide receivers Jordan Kent (Oregon) and Mike Hass (OSU). The Seahawks improved their receiving corps by signing T.J. Houshmandzadeh (OSU) in the offseason.
• You can reach Sports Editor Tom Eggers at 957-4220 or by e-mail at teggers@nrtoday.com
“I haven't been around the program much, and it was good to get down there and hang out with some of the younger guys,” said the 25-year-old Newton, a 2002 RHS graduate who's now a tight end with the Seattle Seahawks. “I talked to coach (Thurman) Bell, and it was good to see him and the other coaches.”
“Joe looks lean and mean,” said Bell, who's entering his 39th season as the Indians' head coach.
Newton — a Parade High School-All American tight end for Roseburg as a senior in 2001 and was honored by getting his No. 87 retired — played at Oregon State for three years ending in 2006.
The 6-foot-7, 250-pounder caught 105 passes and scored 15 touchdowns for the Beavers, the most scoring receptions ever by an OSU tight end. He helped the Beavers to victories in the Las Vegas Bowl in 2003, Insight Bowl in 2004 (player of the game with seven catches and two TDs) and Sun Bowl in 2006 (six catches and two TDs).
“I think only half our kids knew who Joe was when I introduced him,” Bell said. “Joe is such a great kid, and he fit right in there. I think the kids appreciated how nice and helpful he was to them.”
Newton signed with the Seahawks after going undrafted, and spent the past two seasons on the practice squad. The eight players on the practice squad participate in team practices, but don't dress down for games. They can be added to the active roster should an injury or opening occur.
Seattle's training camp begins on July 31 and Newton, who has yet to suit down for a regular season game, is hopeful of making the 53-player roster.
“(The Seahawks) have kept me around for two years, and must have thought I had some potential and are willing to invest in it,” Newton said. “I'd like to show them it worked. That's my goal.
“I feel I have my best chance this year (to make the team). I don't like to make predictions, but I'm pretty optimistic and am excited to see what happens.”
John Carlson, a second-year pro out of Notre Dame, is the starter heading into fall camp after leading the Seahawks with 55 receptions for 627 yards and five TDs in 2008. John Owens, an eighth-year pro from Notre Dame, was signed March 9 and is listed as the No. 2 tight end.
Newton will likely compete against rookies Cameron Morrah (California) and John Tereshinkski (Wake Forest) for the third spot.
Jim Mora is the Seahawks' new head coach, replacing Mike Holmgren.
“It's still a West Coast offense, and a lot is similar to the offense we ran last year, with small variations,” Newton said.
Newton and his wife, Janelle, make their home in Issaquah.
The first of four preseason games for the Seahawks is Aug. 15 at San Diego. Seattle opens the regular season at home Sept. 13 against St. Louis.
Seattle's roster is full of former Ducks and Beavers. Also attempting to make the squad are defensive end Nick Reed (Oregon), offensive lineman Max Unger (Oregon), and wide receivers Jordan Kent (Oregon) and Mike Hass (OSU). The Seahawks improved their receiving corps by signing T.J. Houshmandzadeh (OSU) in the offseason.
• You can reach Sports Editor Tom Eggers at 957-4220 or by e-mail at teggers@nrtoday.com
