Flores Talks With Holdout Williams And Agent Albano

FLORES TALKS WITH HOLDOUT WILLIAMS AND AGENT ALBANO

Tom Flores, Seahawk general manager, had a 20-minute telephone chat with no-show fullback John L. Williams yesterday, and described it as a "good conversation."

Flores also talked with Williams' agent, Jerry Albano of Bessemer, Ala. Albano told reporters that, at least for the time being, he has talked Williams out of returning home to Florida.

"It's too damn far away," Albano said. "Also, it would look bad, and something still can be worked out."

Williams reportedly has financial problems, despite a contract that will pay him $900,000 this season, more than any other fullback in pro football will make.

The Seahawks are willing to move money from Williams' $1 million 1992 and '93 salaries, but won't renegotiate.

Albano said, "We realize we can't get a new contract. . . . If we did, everyone in the league would be asking for one."

Albano said, "As long as we're talking, I'm optimistic."

NOTES -- A 24-second fight between OT Curt Singer and DT Cortez Kennedy marked the Seahawks' fourth day of practice.

Both players brushed off yesterday afternoon's scuffle as simply football. Kennedy said the fight was "just training camp," and Singer said, "There was nothing personal about it."

It took three players pulling on Kennedy to separate the players.

At yesterday morning's practice, C Grant Feasel and rookie DT Murray Garrett got in a brief scuffle that was overshadowed by the afternoon's main event.

-- The Seahawk coaching staff has adopted the "large dose" approach in introducing the offense and defense to players this year. Instead of introducing a play or two at practice, huge chunks of material are given out.

Knox said, "I think this way, giving them the whole package and adding to it every day, we keep people alert and interested. Over the long haul, through spaced repetition, it will pay off for us."

-- Cornerback Patrick Hunter made his presence felt yesterday, hauling in an interception in the morning and another in the afternoon.

-- Cornerback Harlan Davis, the Seahawks' sixth-round draft choice, has practiced and played for years in the same "Warrior Football" T-shirt he was issued at East Jefferson High School in Metairie, La.

PROFILE: TONY STEWART -- Position: Running back -- Ht: 6-0. -- Wt: 201. -- Number: 24. -- Age: 23. -- Hometown: Vauxhall, N.J. -- NFL experience: Rookie. -- How acquired: 11th-round draft pick out of Iowa. -- College career: A captain on the Iowa team that lost to the Huskies 46-34 in Rose Bowl. Was overshadowed by Nick Bell (second-round selection of the Raiders) in final season, but finished career with school-record 2,541 yards on 528 carries (4.8 average) and 17 TDs. Gained 21 yards on seven carries in Rose Bowl and also had a 37-yard pass reception. -- Personal: Married. He and his wife, Rasheedah, have an 11-month old daughter, Bianca. -- Hobbies: Dancing, music. -- Quotable: "We came out on the short end of the stick, but I still wear my Rose Bowl ring proudly. The bowl is a reward for both teams. We did win the Big Ten championship. Winning the Rose Bowl would have been an extra present under the tree for me."