Seahawks minicamp: Robinson impressed at tryout, but transition to football 'all but impossible' U.S. soccer players visit VMAC; rookies Vannett, Jefferson making an impression

Seahawks helmets wait next to their corresponding player as they stretch before minicamp at Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wa., Tuesday, June 14, 2016. Seahawks helmets wait next to their corresponding player as they stretch before minicamp at Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Wa., Tuesday, June 14, 2016. Photo: GRANT HINDSLEY, SEATTLEPI.COM Photo: GRANT HINDSLEY, SEATTLEPI.COM Image 1 of / 27 Caption Close Seahawks minicamp: Robinson impressed at tryout, but transition to football 'all but impossible' 1 / 27 Back to Gallery

RENTON -- The Seattle Seahawks held the first of three minicamp practices at a cool, gusty Virginia Mason Athletic Center on Tuesday, but one player who likely won't be joining them on the practice field anytime soon is former University of Washington basketball star and 11-year NBA veteran Nate Robinson.

Robinson, 32, tried out for the team on Monday, nearly 14 years after he gave up football in favor of basketball following his freshman year at UW. The 5-foot-9, 180-pound Robinson played defensive back for the Huskies, starting six games in his lone season of college action.

After the team's minicam practice on Tuesday, Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll said Robinson looked good during his tryout.

"He looked really quick, caught the ball really well," Carroll said. "He's an amazing athlete."

Don't look for Seattle to sign the hometown star to a contract anytime soon, however, as Carroll didn't sound optimistic about Robinson's chances at making a late-career switch to football. Still, Carroll didn't totally rule out Robinson beating the odds.

"I think it's all but impossible," Carroll said of the transition. "It's as hard as it could possibly get. He's 32, as well. I don't know if anybody could do it, but if anybody could it might be Nate. He's that versatile of an athlete and that great a competitor."

Football meets fútbol

Robinson wasn't the only top athlete from another sport at the VMAC this week, as several members of the U.S. men's national soccer team dropped by practice on Tuesday ahead of their Copa America matchup with Ecuador at CenturyLink Field on Thursday.

The USMNT players -- including Jermaine Jones, Graham Zusi, John Brooks and former O'Dea High School and Sounders FC star DeAndre Yedlin -- signed autographs for Seahawks players such as kicker Steven Hauschka, wide receiver Jermaine Kearse and tight end Luke Willson at the conclusion of practice.

"It's awesome," Carroll said of the visit. "They're having fun. They're like little kids out here, wanting to play catch and throw the ball around. You see our guys -- our guys want to kick the soccer ball, and they want to play catch with a football, so they're figuring it out."

The team's visit came a day after U.S. national team manager Jurgen Klinsmann stopped by the VMAC to meet with Carroll. On Tuesday, Carroll said he enjoys meeting with -- and learning from -- coaches from different backgrounds.

"It's valuable just to see all perspectives and just take what you can out of the conversations," Carroll said. "I love coaches wherever they come from. So I always really welcome them in and look forward to learning, not just telling them what we do. I want to know stuff."

Participation update

Only defensive end Michael Bennett and wide receiver Tyler Slavin were absent from the practice field on Tuesday, with Bennett inside the VMAC for most of the nearly two-hour session. Afterward he told reporters he was nursing an ankle injury and not missing the session as a show of displeasure with his contract situation.

Slavin also missed the team's final open organized team activities (OTA) session last week.

In addition to Bennett and Slavin, tight end Jimmy Graham (knee) and running back Thomas Rawls (ankle) sat out as they continued to rehab injuries suffered during last season. Also sidelined were tackle Garry Gilliam, wide receiver Kenny Lawler and cornerback Tye Smith.

Carroll said Gilliam was nearly back from surgery to remove a cyst from his knee last month, while Lawler was recovering from a hyperextended knee.

Third-round pick C.J. Prosise took the field for the first time since rookie minicamp after dealing with a hip flexor injury, participating in position drills but sitting out the live periods of practice. Carroll said the team was hopeful the running back could participate in all three minicamp sessions, but bemoaned the time Prosise lost in OTAs.

"It's frustrating because we had a big plan for him," Carroll said. "He did get out today and did a lot of stuff. He'll practice again tomorrow, and hopefully we'll make a go of it again on Thursday. We had a lot of thought about how we're going to do this, so he's going to be up against a short time frame."

Rookies making an impression

With Bennett out, rookie fifth-round pick Quinton Jefferson continued playing Bennett's right-end spot with the first-team defense, continuing a trend that started during OTAs.

The 6-foot-4, 291-pound Jefferson has impressed the team with his effort and versatility -- including showing his ability to slide inside to defensive tackle in the nickel package, much like Bennett.

"He's done a really nice job," Carroll said of the former University of Maryland star. "What I think really jumps out about Quentin is he's got such a great motor. Really plays hard, really busts his ass running around and chasing the football and all that. He's picking things up. He's shown versatility to play a number of spots. He's playing Michael's spot, he's also playing 3-technique for third-down stuff, too. Really encouraged by what we've seen and anxious to see him in pads when the time comes."

On the offensive side of the ball, Carroll said the team continues to be impressed with third-round pick Nick Vannett. After drafting the former Ohio State standout 94th overall, Carroll and GM John Schneider said they were thrilled to get the best blocking tight end in the 2016 class. But through OTAs and mincamp, Vannett has impressed with his hands.

"He's a very natural catcher," Carroll said. "He shows the savvy and the instincts that you

hope a guy has. I know Russell has really clicked into him. He's picked up on it and has already shown trust in working the ball his way. He exceeded our expectations a little bit."

Plays of the day

On a day when a strong wind wreaked havoc on balls thrown downfield, undrafted rookie quarterback Trevone Boykin made perhaps the best offensive play of the day when he hit fellow undrafted rookie Tre Madden on a wheel route up the left sideline. Madden caught the perfectly placed ball behind cornerback Tharold Simon, then raced down the sideline for a long touchdown.

The defense ended the day with two straight takeaways. Fourth-year cornerback Marcus Burley was responsible for the first, hitting wide receiver Kevin Smith just as a throw from Russell Wilson arrived. The ball deflected straight up into the air, but Burley never lost sight of it, snagging it for an interception, then racing downfield.

On the next play, Boykin rocketed a thrown to tight end Ronnie Shields that glanced off of Shields' hands. Undrafted rookie corner DeAndre Elliott acrobatically snagged the ball out of the air for an interception that ended the practice on a high note for the defense.

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