Seahawks' Engram Unhappy With Contract

When Bobby Engram was on the free agent market last season, Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike Holmgren went to Tim Ruskell and asked him to re-sign Engram, who has often been referred to by Holmgren as one of the favorite players he's ever coached.

Holmgren knew that Engram, who was coming off a 2006 season that was taken away from him by Graves' disease, would work hard to rebound from 2006 and could still be an effective player in the slot.

So Engram, as expected, worked hard in the off-season to get back into shape, and when injuries took starters Deion Branch and DJ Hackett out of the lineup, the then 34-year old Engram stepped up to the plate. Engram started 13 games in 2007, and when the Seahawks ground game stalled, he responded with a Seahawks-record 94 receptions, which pushed the 12-year veteran over the 1,000 yard mark for the first time in his career.

Now, according to a report by Frank Hughes in the Tacoma News Tribune, Engram was a no-show for yesterday's practice because he's unhappy with his contract. Engram is set to earn $1.7 million in 2008, the final year of the two-year deal he signed with the Seahawks a year ago.

There's little doubt that Engram deserves a raise. He's a player whom Holmgren has called a "consummate professional" who does the dirty work in the slot and "does it with a smile on his face". But at 35, Engram will be hard-pressed to find anyone, even Seattle, that would be willing to invest a lot money or years in a lucrative extension, if that's even what Engram is looking for.

In my opinion, Bobby Engram has been the embodiment of what Tim Ruskell wants from a Seattle Seahawks player, both on and off the field, and the Seahawks should do something to sweeten Engram's contract a bit. Both as a reward for what he did last season, and for what he can do again in 2008 as Matt Hasselbeck's favorite target.

Another 94-catch season from Engram isn't likely, but with DJ Hackett gone via free agency, and Deion Branch coming off a torn ACL, Engram will be the guy Hasselbeck looks to in order to move the chains on Sundays this fall.

I don't know what sort of raise Engram is looking for, but even Ruskell doubled Engram's salary, he'd still be a lock on the NFL's "All-Bargain" team.

NFL News and Notes

The New England Patriots signed former Miami Dolphins nose tackle Steve Fifita on Monday, and released rookies Josh Coffman and Carlos Feliciano.

New York Jets fourth-round cornerback Dwight Lowery could be a steal.

Undrafted free agent linebacker Keith Saunders and cornerback Scorpio Babers were signed by the Miami Dolphins.

Pittsburgh Steelers first-round running back Rashard Mendenhall was robbed at gunpoint in his hometown of Chicago on Monday. Steelers receivers Nate Washington and Santonio Holmes are excited about the addition of Limas Sweed.

After not having much of a draft, the Cleveland Browns signed seven players they brought in for tryouts this weekend. Tony Grossi has some observations from the Browns' recent rookie mini-camp.

Free agent running back Shaun Alexander wrapped up a two-day meeting with the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday. Alexander will meet with the New Orleans Saints this week.

The date of the Tennessee Titans-Oakland Raiders pre-season game has changed.

John McClain of the Houston Chronicle is most excited to see running back Chris Taylor on the field when the Houston Texans hold mini-camp this weekend.

The draft didn't fill all the holes on the Kansas City Chiefs, writes Adam Teicher. The Chiefs could have five new starters on offense in 2008.

The Dallas Cowboys are expected to be featured on HBO's "Hard Knocks" series this summer. (That won't be a distraction.)

Washington Redskins head coach Jim Zorn says rookie tight end/oversleeper Fred Davis was "mortified sitting in my office" to discuss why he missed the final practice of mini-camp on Sunday.

Kevin Kolb should be the #2 quarterback in Philadelphia this season. Eagles cornerback Lito Sheppard likely won't show up for the team's voluntary camp on June 3rd. Eagles defensive coordinator Jim Johnson could play all three cornerbacks in the team's base defense.

The thought of being a pioneer makes Green Bay Packers rookie offensive lineman Breno Giacomini proud. Wisconsin-Whitewater running back Justin Beaver wasn't offered a contract after a weekend tryout with the Packers.

Minnesota Vikings training camp will begin on July 25th. Undrafted fullback Tom Busch is anxious to hear back from the Vikings.

Detroit Lions head coach Rod Marinelli hopes repetition breeds success for his team's running game.

The lawyer for Chicago Bears running back Cedric Benson compared the treatment of his client during a Saturday arrest to waterboarding.

Undrafted USF wide receiver Amarri Jackson signed a free agent deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Monday.

The Carolina Panthers believe second-year quarterback Matt Moore can back-up Jake Delhomme. Charles Chandler has some observations from Panthers mini-camp.

Atlanta Falcons linebacker Michael Boley allegedly became physical with his wife after she confronted him about cheating on her.

Seattle Seahawks offensive line coach Mike Solari is bringing intensity to the coaching staff.

Buckle the chinstrap on your tinfoil hat: Mike Martz conducted a Q&A session with Matt Maiocco.