SEATTLE -- John Carlson went right to work Saturday morning after he and his agent agreed to a multi-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks Friday night.
Carlson, a rookie tight end from Litchfield, made several impressive catches, including a fingertip grab while diving to the ground with safety Deon Grant draped all over him, according to the SeattleInsider.
Carlson, a second-round draft pick from Notre Dame, is expected to battle for the starting tight end position this season.
The 6-foot-5, 250-pound Carlson won the Tribune's Hengstler-Ranweiler Award for top male high school athlete in the area in 2003. He was married two weeks ago in Tampa, Fla., and returned to Seattle to report to rookie camp that began last Tuesday. But since he still hadn't signed his contract, he was not permitted to participate. Carlson also missed the first day of traning camp for all players.
"It was tough," Carlson told the Seahawks Insider. "I'm new to the business aspect to the game of football. I'm glad to get that behind me and get back to the practice field."
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Carlson was the last of the Seahawks' draft choices to sign a contract.
Terms of his deal were not announced. On Saturday, NFL.com reported a source saying Carlson signed a four-year deal worth $4.2 million with $2.4 million guaranteed.
"I realize it's a business and I think all the players realize that," Carlson continued. "You never want to be the last guy. At the time I felt like I was missing all kinds of stuff. Now that I'm here, I feel like I'm back into the flow."
Carlson signed one day after No. 1 pick, Lawrence Jackson, agreed to a contract.
"I'm still not where I need to be," said Carlson. "And I'm still not where I want to be. But it's coming. Mentally, I feel a little bit less overwhelmed at this point with the understanding that this is only the second day of training camp and the playbook is really thick."
