[ THE NFL ]
Hunter and Manuwai
finish minicamps
KIRKLAND, Wash. >> The Seattle Seahawks concluded a mandatory three-day minicamp that also included rookies Sunday.
Former Hawaii offensive tackle and third-round draft pick Wayne Hunter, cornerback Marcus Trufant and kicker Josh Brown stood out among the draft choices.
Hunter impressed coaches with his athletic ability, low center of gravity and relentless approach. He spent most of his time at left tackle, splitting time with newly acquired veteran Michael Thompson.
Trufant's occasional battles with receiver Koren Robinson produced a memorable moment Sunday.
Robinson wrestled a pass away from Trufant near the ground and celebrated with a brief pose before flipping the ball at the rookie. Trufant threw the ball back toward Robinson as the flashy receiver headed back to the huddle.
Brown, a sixth-round choice from Nebraska, showed ample leg strength and accuracy during limited field-goal drills.
Meanwhile, fellow Hawaii alumnus and third-round pick Vince Manuwai of the Jacksonville Jaguars moved ahead of veteran Jamar Nesbit as the starting left guard by the end of the minicamp, according to the Florida Times-Union.
Faulk, ex-girlfriend in court: The mother of three of Marshall Faulk's children accuses the star running back of beating her. He calls her a liar engaged in "an unfortunate attempt at a money-grab."
Faulk and Helen Dunne are seeking unspecified damages from each other in their dueling lawsuits. The trial began yesterday with jury selection and is expected to last up to a week.
No criminal charges were filed against the St. Louis Rams' star, whom Dunne accuses in the lawsuit of assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional duress. Dunne also wants punitive damages from Faulk, the NFL's most valuable player in 2000.
Dunne contends Faulk beat her, bit her and blackened her eye during their on-again, off-again relationship that began in 1996 when they met at a party. After a fight in 1999, she told police she was the aggressor and didn't want to press charges.
Faulk's lawyers contend Dunne's claim of domestic abuse is baseless and that she is abusing the legal process by suing Faulk.
"It is our belief that the only victim is Marshall Faulk," lawyer Scott Rosenblum said. "We are confident a jury will agree with us that this is an unfortunate attempt at a money-grab at Mr. Faulk's expense."
Jets sign three, waive three: The New York Jets signed three rookie free agents yesterday -- defensive end Lance Gibson, tight end Gabe Reid and wide receiver Michael Oliva.
The Jets also waived wide receivers Lou Fanucchi and Shawn Witten, and tight end Rolando Shuler.
Gibson is a 6-foot-5, 246-pounder from Central Washington where he registered 18 career sacks. Reid, 6-4 and 251, played at BYU and is the brother of former Carolina Panthers linebacker Spencer Reid. Oliva played at UC Davis, where he was the school's all-time leader with 3,379 receiving yards and 37 touchdown catches.
National Football League