Seahawks first-round pick signs, arrives at camp

CHENEY, Wash. (AP) — Marcus Tubbs signed his first contract with the Seattle Seahawks in time to practice in nearly 90-degree heat.

”It's definitely way hotter in Texas than it is here,” said the former Texas defensive tackle, chosen by the Seahawks with the 23 pick in this year's draft. ”It feels pretty good out here.”

The 6-foot-3, 324-pound Tubbs agreed to terms with the Seahawks on Monday night and signed his contract on Tuesday after missing a week of training camp.

The Seahawks didn't release any contract terms, and calls to Tubbs' agent, Brian Overstreet, weren't immediately returned.

Tubbs spent time with his ailing mother in the Dallas suburb of DeSoto during the past week. Tubbs said his mother was ”doing OK” but provided no details on her condition. He appreciated the willingness of Seattle coach Mike Holmgren to let him spend time at home.

”It was absolutely the right thing to do,” Holmgren said. ”Football doesn't seem very important when it comes to those types of things, so that was an easy call for me.”

Tubbs didn't participate in drills with his teammates on Tuesday. Strength and conditioning coach Mike Clark had him do some running and hit the tackling sled.

”I've done some jogging on my own, but it's nothing like being out in the sun with a helmet on,” Tubbs said.

Holmgren said Tubbs might participate in a full practice Thursday, and didn't rule out the possibility of playing him Monday night when the Seahawks open the preseason at Green Bay.

”We're going to talk about it. I've got to see what kind of condition he's in and bang him around a little bit,” Holmgren said.

The Seahawks drafted Tubbs to be their run-stopper of the future at defensive tackle, trying to improve on a run defense that ranked 14th in the NFL last season.

Tubbs was a first-team all-Big 12 Conference selection last season after recording a career-high 77 tackles, including 5.5 sacks and 12 tackles for loss. In his college career, Tubbs recorded 205 tackles and 15.5 sacks.

The selection of Tubbs was part of a defensive upgrade the Seahawks made in the offseason that including the signings of defensive end Grant Wistrom and defensive back Bobby Taylor and the drafting of safety Michael Boulware.

Tubbs should battle with Rashad Moore and Cedric Woodard for one of the starting positions on the defensive line, but he has major catching up to do.

”These guys have been out here working; they already have a scrimmage under their belts,” Tubbs said. ”I'm going to have to put extra time in, but I'm definitely willing to do that.”