KIRKLAND, Wash. - Josh Wilson returned to his locker after practice and found it a mess. Again.

Clothes off hangers and all over the floor. Papers everywhere. The same mess that caused the cornerback to be evicted from the main locker wall inside Seahawks headquarters last year, Wilson's rookie season.

Hasn't rookie hazing ended yet?

"Not until three more games" of the preseason, Wilson said with a sigh Wednesday afternoon.

"It just shows they love me."

His prankster teammates might not agree, but Seattle's forgotten first-round draft choice from 2007 has already progressed past his so-so, injury-plagued initial season. One week into his second training camp, the cornerback is catching the eye of coach Mike Holmgren.

Beyond Wilson's continued contributions on kick returns, Holmgren has noticed how the speed burner -- whose listing at 5-foot-9 might be true if he wore heels -- is standing up to and staying with Seattle's taller top receivers. That has been especially true against Bobby Engram inside, where Wilson is competing with Jordan Babineaux for the fifth, "nickel" defensive back job.

"He gives us a little bit of an extra jump in the returning game and I think he's really a good inside cover guy," Holmgren said. "As your nickel corner, as your third corner to move inside and work in there (against) Engram, OK, that's a strength of his. Maybe even more than being outside. I mean, he can play outside, but I think that's really where he earns his money, inside."

Wilson, a former track sprinter at Maryland who has run the 40-yard dash in a world-class 4.2 seconds, doesn't know about that. All he knows is what he's up against when he finds himself lined up opposite Engram, who set the Seahawks' season record with 94 receptions last season.

"It's not like I'm checking this guy here," Wilson joked, turning to point to a team public relations staffer who was walking past. "I'm checking Bobby Engram. I have to come with my 'A' game every time he steps up to the plate."

As for the pranks, Wilson said he can't wait until the end of August.

"Then I'll get the rookies," he said, smiling. "I love the pranks."

CENTER OF CONCERN: Steve Vallos, a seventh-round draft choice in 2007 who spent all of last season as a guard on the practice squad, was the center on the first-team offense again Wednesday. Injured starter Chris Spencer (offseason shoulder surgery) and backup center and guard Chris Gray (back) will remain out at least into next week.

Sure, it's not even August, but when does it become late for Spencer to get back to start meshing with a changed offensive line and getting his pre-snap calls and assignments in order?

"It was late on Day One," said straight-faced offensive line coach Mike Solari, who arrived this offseason after being Kansas City's offensive coordinator. "You want those five linemen working together as much and as early as you can.

"But again, the glass is half-full. This is opportunity for the young guys."

QUICK HITS: The Wednesday morning practice ended with the first full-contact scrimmage of camp, between backup units. QB Charlie Frye made some accurate throws and missed on others while directing the offense as Holmgren watched intently from behind the huddle. Holmgren is closely evaluating the former starter with Cleveland, to see if he can trust him to back up Matt Hasselbeck this season. That would free perennial second-stringer Seneca Wallace to return kicks and play receiver. ... WR Courtney Taylor, who has an opportunity for more playing time with Deion Branch out into September following knee surgery, missed another practice because his hamstring is still tight. ... Veteran TE Jeb Putzier left the morning practice with an apparent hip injury. Putzier, a six-year veteran from Boise State signed as a free agent from Houston in the offseason, is insurance in case rookie second-round draft choice John Carlson isn't ready to start as the Seahawks expect.