Buczkowski, Brian Davis Try Seahawks' Retread Process

The Seattle Seahawks, who have enjoyed considerable success with retreads, hope to cash in again with Bob Buczkowski and Brian Davis.

In each case, the price was right. Buczkowski, a defensive end, was acquired from Cleveland two weeks ago for a ninth-round draft choice. Davis, a cornerback, was claimed on waivers last November from the Washington Redskins.

They are trying to resurrect once-promising careers that have been scarred by injury and punctuated with disappointment. And each plays a position that badly needs shoring up.

A first-round draft choice five years ago by the Los Angeles Raiders, Buczkowski knew little but pain and misery until last season, when he played in all 16 games, starting five, with Cleveland.

"Last year was the key for me," he said. "It showed I could get through a whole season. I couldn't do that in the past."

Buczkowski's career got off to a horrendous start in 1986. Two days into the Raider minicamp, he suffered a ruptured disk.

"We weren't even in pads or anything," he said. "It was strange, because I'd never had anything stopping me from playing."

Three back operations followed, along with a severe case of hepatitis and three shoulder operations. In four seasons, Buczkowski got into just six games.

"I just never got my career off the ground," he said. "I got to the point where I didn't have any confidence. That's why last year was so important to me."

The Raiders, then coached by Tom Flores, Seahawk president and general manager, showed extraordinary patience.

"There was no pressure, no bad words said about me," Buczkowski said. "No other team would have been that patient."

Joining his new team in this week's minicamp, Buczkowski said he is completely healthy and "more excited than I've been since my rookie year."

With Tony Woods rehabilitating from knee surgery, Jacob Green is the only experienced defensive end, although Jeff Bryant is available to move back to his old position, from tackle.

So there is an opportunity for Buczkowski or Robert Morris, a 1990 10th-round draft choice, or Michael Sinclair, this year's sixth-round selection.

"I told coach I think I can play every position on the line," Buczkowski said. "I just want to play."

Buczkowski and Woods were college teammates, and close friends, for two years in Pittsburgh.

Davis' career has taken a route similar to Buczkowski's, although not quite as debilitating. Drafted in the second round by the Redskins in 1987, Davis played in 38 games, starting 15, in four seasons.

But he suffered a a pulled quadricep muscle in his right leg two years ago in training camp. He reinjured it last year and, after appearing in seven games, was waived by the Redskins.

"It was as frustrating for them as it was for me," Davis said. "I just hope it's behind me."

Since joining the Seahawks, Davis' recovery has been slow. To find out why, assistant trainer John Kasik put him through a Cybex test, which showed that his right leg was 20 percent weaker than his left.

"This is the first time in a long time I've known what the problem was," Davis said. "In our workouts, I still hold back because it's a little worrisome. But now I've got two and a half months to come back from it. I'll be ready for training camp, period. I can't have a setback."

When he's healthy, Davis is among the fastest Seahawks. He ran the 40-yard sprint in 4.27 seconds as a rookie. But he downplays his speed.

"If you say too fast, people don't believe you," he said. "Anyway, it's no good to be fast if you can't run."

With Mel Jenkins off to Detroit as a Plan B free agent, the Seahawks are down to three returning cornerbacks, Patrick Hunter, Dwayne Harper and James Jefferson. The fourth spot is expected to be filled by Brian Davis or Harlan Davis, a fifth-round draft choice from Tennessee.

If Brian Davis overcomes his quadricep problem, he could be a candidate for a starting job.

"But I'm not even thinking about that," he said. "I'm excited about getting myself healthy. That's my only focus."

Buczkowski and Davis hope to join a list of players discarded by other NFL clubs who have rejuvenated their careers in Seattle - such players as Paul Skansi, Jeff Chadwick, Ronnie Lee, Vann McElroy, James Jones, Darren Comeaux, Jeff Kemp and Grant Feasel.

Because little immediate help is expected from the draft, the Seahawks need to uncover every available source of talent. Note

-- Fullback John L. Williams and running back Derrick Fenner were the only unexcused absentees today at the team's minicamp. Attendance was mandatory beginning today for the start of two-a-day practices.