Gray, a 16-year veteran, is starting right now because starter Chris Spencer has not participated in any mini-camps or training camp practices following shoulder surgery in the offseason.

Spencer, who replaced long-time veteran Robbie Tobeck when he retired, struggled to make the line calls and take on his assignment last season, and the coaching staff was hoping Spencer would be able to use the offseason as a way to catch up to what he needs to know to fill his role.

Instead, he has been unable to participate, meaning that Gray, an insurance policy who played right guard last year and has not had significant time at center in seven years, has to take the majority of the snaps during camp, not ideal for a man who at this stage of his career would prefer to do less.

When Gray went down with the back injury, it left the Seahawks with Steve Vallos, a practice squad player last season, and Pat Murray, who was not on a roster, to snap to Seattle's trio of quarterbacks.

While that may not seem like a big deal during camp, it is a setback in the sense that the Seahawks revamped their offensive line to a degree to reinvigorate their running game, are installing some new blocking schemes under new offensive line coach Mike Solari and are trying to implement cohesion with newcomers Mike Wahle and Rob Sims, who switched from left to right guard when Wahle came in.

Instead, they are left with inexperienced players at center just trying to make the team, much less worrying about making the correct line calls.

CAMP CALENDAR: Camp closes Aug. 21. Intra-squad scrimmage at Qwest Field on Aug. 2. Team moves to its new facility in Renton on Aug. 17.

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