Kitna throws two touchdown passes, Huard struggles
By JIM COUR
AP Sports Writer
July 30, 2000
CHENEY, Wash. (AP) -- Jon Kitna operated with the poise of a seasoned veteran who was ready for the Seattle Seahawks' season opener. Brock Huard looked like he still had a lot of learning to do.
The Seahawks scrimmaged for the first time at their training camp Sunday, and Kitna, headed into his second season as Seattle's starting quarterback, threw two quick touchdown passes.
He had a 23-yard TD pass to wide receiver Justin Armour, and an 11-yard scoring pass to tight end Itula Mili in his first two series against Seattle's first-team defense.
Huard, a second-year pro who hopes to beat out veteran Glenn Foley to be Kitna's backup this season, was sacked three consecutive times when he got on the field at Eastern Washington University's Woodward Stadium. Huard's offense failed to score a touchdown against Seattle's second-team defense.
``Kitna definitely showed he's the leader of the offense,'' running back Ricky Watters said. ``He had control of the team, just by the way he carried himself confidently. You see the way we were going up and down the field. That has a lot to do with the quarterback.''
Kitna helped the Seahawks get to the playoffs last season for the first time since 1988.
``The first couple of drives I thought it went really well,'' Kitna said. ``I need to be more in control and be more of a leader out there this year. That's one thing I've been trying to focus on.''
Foley, who started one game for the Seahawks and was Kitna's understudy last season, did not participate in the scrimmage because of a bad back. He suffered back spasms in the first week of the team's training camp.
``I thought Jon was pretty controlled in there and ran the team well,'' coach Mike Holmgren said. ``Our second unit looked like our second unit. We had trouble pass protecting against our young second linemen. Brock struggled a little bit today.''
Huard, University of Washington's all-time passing leader, was a third-round draft choice of the Seahawks last season. He didn't play in a game as a rookie.
``You see what I see,'' Holmgren said. ``You see a talented young man who needs to play more. And if he gets a chance to play, he needs to improve. That's what I'm going to be looking at.''
The Seahawks have one more week before their exhibition opener. They'll be at Washington's Husky Stadium next Saturday night against the Indianapolis Colts. Their regular season opener is Sept. 3 at Miami. |
