RENTON — Russell Wilson, Jimmy Graham and Cliff Avril were absent for personal reasons. Michael Bennett and Bruce Irvin were just absent.
And Marshawn Lynch?
Well, no one expected him around anyway, since this is the way the Seattle Seahawks’ star running back handles voluntary offseason workouts.
The Seahawks began on-field organized team activities Tuesday with a number of their biggest stars missing, although coach Pete Carroll was not concerned by any of the absences.
Avril and Graham were both dealing with personal losses. Avril posted on Instagram about the death of his father, while Graham was attending the funeral of his manager in Miami. Graham was joined by Wilson and Seahawks executive Mo Kelly at the funeral and Carroll said Wilson may try to attend the funeral for Avril’s father later in the week.
“Just show support as well and just do the best we can,” Carroll said. “We know that there’s really nothing we can do but we’re trying to show the love and see if we can help out in any way.”
But the absences of Bennett and Irvin seemed to be more related to their status with the club. Bennett at various times during the offseason has expressed dissatisfaction with his contract — a $28 million, four-year deal signed after Seattle won its first Super Bowl.
Meanwhile, Irvin has expressed his displeasure on social media about the Seahawks choosing not to pick up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. Irvin will now become a free agent after the 2015 season if no extension is reached.
Carroll simply noted that the workouts were voluntary, while new defensive coordinator Kris Richard said there would be no ill will toward the pair when they return.
“We know those guys are out there and working their tails off. There is no doubt about it. Our focus is on the guys that are here, but when they come back, it’s all love. They know that. They’re out there, they’re handling their business. We trust that fact. They’re going to trust the fact we’re working and handling business here and we would love to have them. When they get back, we’re rolling.”
Tuesday was also the first time for the Seahawks on the field with Richard as defensive coordinator. Richard was promoted from defensive backs coach after Dan Quinn left in the offseason to take the head job in Atlanta.
Richard said it was different having the chance to roam around the defense and not be focused just solely on the secondary.
