Everett, Wash.
Published: Sunday, August 17, 2008

Seahawks' D bears down

Seattle's first-team defenders much more effective than in preseason opener a week ago

By Scott M. Johnson
Herald Writer

 SEATTLE -- After a subpar start to their preseason schedule, the Seattle Seahawks' first-team defense looked like a more polished unit on Saturday night.

Led by linebacker Leroy Hill, Seattle's defense harassed Chicago quarterbacks Rex Grossman and Kyle Orton into a forgettable first half for the Bears.

The two quarterbacks, who are battling each other for Chicago's starting job, combined to complete 14 of 24 passes for 117 yards and an interception. Hill was particularly effective, with four tackles, a sack and an interception before the first-team defenders came out of the game after one half.

It was a much better performance than last week's opener, when the Minnesota Vikings scored two touchdowns on the Seattle D.

"We let them score two touchdowns last week, so we came out a little more focused," Hill said.

Added cornerback Kelly Jennings: "Last week, we felt like we didn't play up to our capabilities. We didn't want that to be the topic of this week, so we tried to step it up."

While Seattle's first-team defense was on the field, the Bears were held to five points. Two of those came on a special-teams safety. The final three came at the end of the first half, when kicker Robbie Gould hit a 39-yard field goal after Orton led a 10-play, 51-yard drive on Seattle's first-team defense.

Special problems: For the second game in a row, the Seahawks were plagued by special teams breakdowns Saturday.

Two blocked punts and a return touchdown overshadowed solid performances from kicker Brandon Coutu and rookie return man Justin Forsett.

The first mistake gave the Bears their first points of the game.

Chicago's Darrell McClover blocked a Reggie Hodges punt after avoiding blocker C.J. Wallace. The play resulted in a safety when Seahawks linebacker Lance Laury intentionally swept the ball out of the end zone to avoid the possibility of a Chicago touchdown.

In the third quarter, Chicago return man Earl Bennett took a punt 75 yards for a touchdown.

Those plays overshadowed a solid day from a pair of Seahawks rookies.

Coutu made good on all four of his field goal attempts, including a 48-yarder that cleared the uprights with plenty of room to spare. He is battling veteran Olindo Mare for the right to replace Josh Brown as Seattle's kicker.

Forsett also made quite an impression. The 5-foot-6 running back had several nice returns, including a 40-yard punt return. He had a 30-yarder called back because of a penalty.

Forsett is trying to make the roster as Seattle's fifth running back, and his easiest ticket to a roster spot will likely come on special teams.

He is battling Ben Obomanu for the right to return punts this season. Cornerback Josh Wilson has the inside track on kickoff return duties, but Forsett could be a factor there as well.

Kerney, Plackemeier sit: Defensive end Patrick Kerney (calf) and punter Ryan Plackemeier (pectoral) were among 13 players who did not suit up for the game because of injuries.

Both players returned to practice last week but were held out of the game as a precaution.

Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (back) was in uniform but did not play.

Darryl Tapp filled in for Kerney as the starting defensive end and helped create an interception when he hit Rex Grossman as the Chicago quarterback was releasing the ball.

Locklear hurt: The only starter to come out of the game due to injury was right tackle Sean Locklear, who strained his leg in the first quarter and did not return.

Coach Mike Holmgren said that the team expects Locklear to be healed by the Sept. 7 regular-season opener, but he added that the team will "know more (today)."

Duckett's role: With a logjam at the running back position, veteran T.J. Duckett is just trying to find a role on the Seahawks.

His best fit may be as a short-yardage specialist.

Duckett, who had two fumbles called back in last week's opener, had a pair of successful carries in short yardage on Saturday. The 254-pound halfback picked up a first down on third-and-1 in the first half, and he added 1-yard touchdown to tie the score at 19 in the fourth quarter.

Duckett later added a 10-yard gain on a draw play on second-and-2, picking up a first down on Seattle's final drive of the fourth quarter.

Dancing men: Seahawks linebackers Lofa Tatupu, Julian Peterson and Hill spent most of the fourth quarter competing with their Chicago counterparts … in a dance contest.

Several Bears defenders celebrated a big play by dancing on the Chicago sideline. A few minutes later, Seattle's linebackers playfully mocked them with a dance of their own. The units continued the routine, pointing across the field after each dance.

The funniest move may have been when Tatupu, Peterson and Hill locked hands and did a move known as the Electric Snake.

"For degree of difficulty," Tatupu said, "we far surpassed them."

Quick slants: Receivers Jordan Kent and Logan Payne pushed for regular-season playing time, with a team-best four receptions each. Starting receiver Courtney Taylor and veteran Ben Obomanu were both held without a catch. … Seahawks quarterback Charlie Frye played the entire game, including overtime, but had a paltry rating of 38.9. Holmgren said that the team wanted to evaluate Frye in case the Seahawks wanted to use backup quarterback Seneca Wallace as a receiver during the regular season. Of Frye's performance, Holmgren said: "It was all right. … Obviously, we can't throw that many interceptions; that's bad."
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA