Seahawks’ players ‘excited’ to learn from veteran Dwight Freeney

After a successful 15-year career in the NFL, 37-year-old defensive end Dwight Freeney commands respect – and it’s easy to give to him. He was poised and warm, yet clearly confident, during his press conference with reporters Wednesday. Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll called him an, “extraordinarily savvy guy,” a sentiment echoed by Freeney’s new teammates.

Carroll: Dwight Freeney will make Seahawks debut Sunday

“I’ve watched this guy as long as I can remember,” an excited K.J. Wright said of the signing. “(I) watched him of course with the Colts, with the Chargers, with the Falcons, and so he’s a guy that you can really depend on. I heard him earlier; I can just hear his football knowledge come out. That’ll be great when you’ve got him and Mike (Bennett) at the D-line, a veteran presence. Frank, I’m sure, can learn some stuff from him. So it’s great for us.”

That would be defensive end Frank Clark, who is hoping Freeney can teach him one signature move.

“I want him to spin. I want him to teach me how to spin,” Clark said with a laugh. “It’s great to have a legend in our presence. Somebody here that can teach us a part of the game obviously that, you know, none of us have the knowledge. The things that he’s seen in 14, 15 years – he’s just a legend, man. I know Mike appreciates him. That says a lot. If Mike B. appreciates a guy and can vouch for a guy and say, ‘I want him here,’ then like I said, we’ve got some things in store.”

Defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson said he’s excited to play alongside the seven-time Pro Bowler, and is ready to “pluck his brain” for tips.

Rookie defensive tackle Nazair Jones found out about the signing Wednesday morning. Another surprise? Freeney’s name above an empty locker, right next to his.

“He was always famous for his spin move, and I thought it was just super cool,” Jones said. “For him to be here, and right here beside me, it’s definitely a good (thing) to be able to learn from him and Mike at the same time.

“I know he’s going to come in and help us win games and help us win a championship, so I was definitely excited to see his name on the wall.”

For his part, Freeney is glad to be in Seattle. While he’s upset it’s in relief of an injured Cliff Avril – who he’s known for a while – he has thought about playing for the Seahawks since leaving Indianapolis.

“One of the reasons being is because of the mentality on defense,” Freeney said. “It kind of gets lost sometimes in the league now these days of high-powered offense, and I’m not saying by any means that our offense isn’t good, but I think it’s just a little something different on defense in this city and how the 12th man really rises up and gets behind their defense. I’m just happy to be a part of it.”

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