July 16, 2008

When head coach Mike Holmgren caused more than a few observers’ eyebrows to rise near the end of the team’s final minicamp with a comment that the starting CB job opposite Pro Bowler Marcus Trufant was “up for grabs,” there was instant speculation that the previously anonymous Kevin Hobbs could become a serious challenger to incumbent Kelly Jennings. Originally signed by Seattle as an undrafted free agent in 2006, only to be released after training camp, Hobbs was re-signed last May and ended up splitting time between the active roster and the practice squad. In this year’s minicamps and OTAs, however, he was singled out as the team’s most improved defender. Said one longtime team insider: “He really looked good and made a lot of plays. I don’t see him beating out Jennings, but I definitely see him possibly grabbing the ‘dime’ role from Josh Wilson, whose best plays have come from having to use his athleticism to recover from all the plays he keeps missing.”