Ray Willis was on the field, participating in practice after sitting out the morning session. Center Chris Spencer and tackle Walter Jones were not. That's going to be standard-operating procedure this training camp as coach Mike Holmgren indicated those three will be taking a more reserved practice program.

The only injury subtraction from the afternoon was tight end Zac Alcorn, who appeared to injure his back during the morning session. He did not participate in the afternoon practice.

Will Herring update: The second-year linebacker is on the list for non-football injuries, and the training-room lingo for his status is that he's being evaluated and tested to determine the cause of reoccurring joint inflammation.

The question was straightforward enough.

Coach Mike Holmgren was asked about the kicking competition.

His answer took a few sharp turns before characterizing last season's long-snapping fiasco as Mr. Toad's Wild Ride from the Wind in the Willows.

Two hours into the first day of his final season and already the Seahawks coach was in midseason form. The big man even showed some mobility in the pocket when the topic turned to Brett Favre and reports the he's going to show up at Packers training camp on Saturday. Holmgren was asked to put himself in the Packers' shoes.

"I don't have to," Holmgren said.

Nope, certainly not, but if you were in that situation?

"I'm going to stay away from that one, OK?" Holmgren said. "I know everybody, they're friends of mine. I have great fondness for everybody involved in that thing. We're going to deal with the Seahawks."

Fair enough. Nine minutes later, he reacted to another blitz when he was asked putting the Packers aside, if he was surprised at anything regarding Favre.

The coach lowered his head, raised his eyes and delivered a punchline.

"You misunderstood me," Holmgren said. "I'm sorry. I'm not talking about any of that."

Holmgren, he's the coach whose comic timing says so much even when he's saying nothing. Someone who can make a routine Q&A after the first of 43 training-camp practices into something that's at least a little entertaining.

He is earnest, he is honest and he'll make any press conference at least a little more enjoyable. On Friday, he was asked if he remembered what it was like back in 1999 when he arrived, the grand poobah of all things football for the Seahawks.

"It was certainly an adventure," Holmgren said. "It's hard to believe it has been 10 years. But it's the same for me. It has been honestly the same every year, the start of training camp. This time of the year, getting all the players in here and getting going again, and anticipating a great season, that's always very exciting. That's why I've been able to do it for a long time."

Just don't think he's going to get too nostalgic. Not yet at least. Maybe when things get closer to the end. But on this morning, it was one more start to one final season in charge of the Seahawks, but did he find himself thinking about this being the start to one final lap?

"Honestly, no," Holmgren said. "But I will admit to the fact I've had a little talk with myself about that. That doesn't help anybody if I'm thinking about it. At the end, there will be some time, I'm sure that I'm thinking about it. But for now, it's a new year. I'm the same person. My staff clearly understands that, the players understand it. Business as usual."

So that's what he said to himself, right?

"Well, of course, my wife chirped in a little bit," he said.

Cue the laughter because this coach knows how to perform.

The only absence was tight end John Carlson, who is the lone remaining Seahawk draft pick who is unsigned.

With the signings of rookies Red Bryant, Owen Schmitt and Lawrence Jackson, releasing defensive tackle Kevin Brown, fullback Dan Curran and safety Mike Green to make room. Green was with the Seahawks for two years. He suffered a season-ending foot injury in an exhibition game in 2006 and played as a backup fullback last season. He underwent three surgeries this offseason before being let go.

Bobby Engram was at practice. That was something that was expected, though, and he told Seattle Times columnist Steve Kelley several weeks ago.

Linebacker Will Herring was not practicing. Coach Mike Holmgren was not specific in what is affecting Herring, indicating it was an illness that is affecting him. It is not a football injury that is affecting him.

Wide receiver Deion Branch was on the field for individual workouts. He did agility drills and caught some passes, and Holmgren said afterward the hope is Branch will be ready for the first regular-season game.

Marcus Tubbs and Ryan Plackemeier are also recovering from injuries. Holmgren said Plackemeier is able to punt and should be back in a week or two. With Tubbs, Holmgren said the goal is to have him ready for the first regular-season game.

Center Chris Spencer did not participate in much of practice. Neither did lineman Ray Willis. Both are recovering from offseason surgery, and Holmgren indicated their practice time will be limited in training camp.

The Seahawks have reached an agreement with their first-round pick, Lawrence Jackson, who's ready to be on the field for the first practice. The parameters for this deal were put in place when the players taken both before and after Jackson reached agreements on Thursday.

There has been no announcement of the signing, which means that the final paperwork hasn't been filed, but Jackson's presence on the field indicates that they've reached an accord. No contract specifics at this time, but again, the final paperwork isn't even in.

The agreement is believed to be a five-year deal that totals $11.25 million with about half of that guaranteed.