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Seahawks’ Russell Wilson, Jimmy Graham miss first OTA

By CM Towle

Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) reacts on the field during the first quarter against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson (3) reacts on the field during the first quarter against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /
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Seattle Seahawks teammates, quarterback Russell Wilson and tight end Jimmy Graham, miss first OTA to attend funeral.

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New Seattle Seahawks tight end Jimmy Graham is missing the team’s first OTA in order to attend the funeral of his personal manager, who died last Friday in Miami. Her obituary includes the statement that she “loved and mentored Jimmy Graham as a son.” Graham tweeted his own remembrance of Tammy Meyerson on Tuesday morning.

The absence of both Graham and Wilson from the first OTA was initially reported by Danny O’Neil of ESPN Radio Seattle. The report included the fact that the team is indeed aware of both players’ absences. Wilson is attending the funeral with Graham to represent the rest of the team, according to a report by Ian Rapoport.

Currently, the Seahawks with just two quarterbacks for the OTAs, in B.J. Daniels and R.J. Archer. Neither one of them have ever taken a snap in an NFL game. Veteran back-up Tavaris Jackson is currently a free agent.

Meyerson reportedly considered Graham to be like her own son, as his mother abandoned him when he was 11 years old. She was also the president and chief executive officer of the South Florida-based Preferred Medical Plan and the news of her passing was well-reported throughout the area. She was 45.

Defensive linemen Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett are also absent from the first OTA, according to a story by ESPN. Avril’s absence, while not explicitly confirmed, is reportedly due to the death of his father, which he posted about on Instagram three days ago. Bennett, on the other hand, may be fulfilling his threat to hold out as he wants a new contract. Either way, the Seahawks reportedly are aware of Avril’s absence, but not Bennett’s.

Bennett’s issues have been the subject of much debate. Bennett has said that he wants to paid among the top defensive ends in the league, while the Seahawks don’t want to set the precedent of handing out new contracts before a player is even halfway through their old one. It was the same thing with Marshawn Lynch last year, though the Seahawks did eventually compromise somewhat on that. Bennett has been the subject of trade rumors as well, but maintains that those are exactly that; rumors.

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