Trufant embracing new role in Seahawks’ secondary
Jul 31, 2012, 1:56 AM | Updated: 2:09 am
By Brady Henderson
Marcus Trufant is the oldest player on the Seahawks’ roster, but the defensive back who’s entering his 10th NFL season is still learning just like the rest of Seattle’s young secondary.
Trufant, a starting cornerback for nine seasons, is sliding inside to nickelback, a change he seems to be enjoying.
 After nine seasons as a starting corner, Marcus Trufant is competing to be the Seahawks’ nickelback. (AP) |
“I think it’s a good move, man. It’s fun. I get to do different stuff. I get to move around a little bit. I get to blitz a little bit. I get to do a little bit of everything,” he told “Bob and Groz” after Monday’s training camp practice.
“I just take it as a challenge. I’m excited and I’m having fun doing it.”
The Seahawks released Trufant in May, a move that wasn’t all that surprising given his hefty price tag, advancing age and balky back. He had opportunities elsewhere but ended up re-signing with the Seahawks a month after he was cut. He said the thought of playing for another team didn’t seem right, even if the alternative meant accepting a reduced salary and a reduced role.
“I took a visit to Denver. I walked around the facility. It was just so different, just to be in another place and maybe be thinking I might be able to play somewhere else, it was very different,” said Trufant, a native of Tacoma, Wash. “It was uncomfortable, and I think that’s kind of natural. But it just wasn’t the same, man. It’s good to be back home.”
The nickel job isn’t being handed to Trufant, of course. He’s competing with “a couple other guys,” according to Pete Carroll. One of them is Roy Lewis, who served as the team’s nickel corner for most of last season.
Trufant was a starting cornerback as recent as last season, when he had an interception and 23 tackles in four games before another back injury forced him to the injured reserve. Brandon Browner and Richard Sherman emerging as starters in his absence, but it doesn’t sound like Trufant has any animosity for the guys who have replaced him.
“Those guys are playing well and they can only get better,” he said.
