Defensive end Chris Clemons' absence was the big story from Seattle Seahawks camp Tuesday.

The simple response would be to criticize Clemons for failing to meet his contractual obligations. Teams routinely tear up contracts, of course, so that argument doesn't support its own weight. If the Seahawks thought releasing Clemons were in their best interests, they would have done it already, regardless of how many years were remaining on the deal. That's life in the NFL.

Clemons, entering the final year of the deal he signed with Philadelphia in March 2008, wants a contract extension after playing hurt and producing at a high level (consecutive 11-sack seasons). That is a reasonable stance.

The Seahawks will want to guard against overpaying for a 30-year-old player shortly after investing a first-round draft choice in Clemons' eventual replacement, Bruce Irvin. That is a reasonable stance.

We don't know what either party has promised behind the scenes. We do know circumstances change. Both sides must protect their own interests.

Clemons' deal included a $100,000 workout bonus. He'll lose tens of thousands more for missing all three days of this mandatory camp. The Seahawks know Clemons will show up for the regular season, when his $4 million salary is at stake. Clemons knows the Seahawks know this. But his willingness to lose a significant sum over offseason workouts and minicamp practices shows Clemons is ticked off.

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll told reporters after practice that Clemons or Clemons' agent had indicated the defensive end would attend the camp. Clemons and his agent aren't talking, but it's a given their side of the story differs.

Clemons has shown he'll play hard and produce when it's time. While his future with the team beyond 2012 appears in jeopardy, it's only June. The sides have time to work out something amenable to both.