Everett, Wash.
Published: Tuesday, November 18, 2008

Seahawks notes: Losing Zorn to Redksins hurt Hasselbeck's play

By Scott M. Johnson
Herald Writer

 RENTON -- While injuries are the most obvious reason for the struggles of Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck this season, the second-most important factor may be standing on the opposing sideline at Qwest Field this Sunday.

Hasselbeck admitted Monday that not having Jim Zorn as his quarterbacks coach may have affected his play earlier this season.

"I think that's a real thing," Hasselbeck said of not having the assistant coach because Zorn is now head coach of the Washington Redskins. "Take anybody in any work situation, any workplace environment. If you break up the band, so to speak, there's going to be a learning curve with the new people."

Hasselbeck has a 55.0 quarterback rating this season, which has as much to do with his injured receiving corps as it does his ailing back. He is well on his way to the worst season of his career, statistically speaking.

The absence of Zorn, whose Redskins face the Seahawks on Sunday, might be a bigger factor than Hasselbeck has previously let on.

"That's not to take anything from the new people we have," Hasselbeck said Monday. "My position coach, as an example, Bill Lazor, I think he's an excellent football coach. He's helped me a lot this year, and I've learned a lot from him. But it is hard when you have that kind of turnover (on a coaching staff)."

Hasselbeck apologizes: To be fined? Or not to be fined? Hasselbeck apparently couldn't make up his mind.

A woozy Hasselbeck said in his post-game press conference Sunday night that a certain Cardinals player should get fined for his tackling tactics. The shot was obviously intended for Arizona safety Adrian Wilson, who made a helmet-to-helmet hit on Hasselbeck in the second quarter.

A couple minutes later, Hasselbeck took the accusation back. And on Monday, Seattle's quarterback apologized for making the comment in the first place.

"I probably owe them an apology," he said, referring to the Cardinals. "I think they played hard, I think they played physical, I think they played within the rules and with class. So I regret saying that. In fact, I hope nobody gets fined. I guess that's what I'd say."

Down in Arizona, Cardinals coach Ken Whisenhunt responded to Hasselbeck's initial accusations by saying that it was a clean hit.

Trufant OK: Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said Monday that cornerback Marcus Trufant was feeling better immediately after Sunday's game, despite suffering a concussion that ended his day early. Trufant is expected to practice this week and be available to play Sunday against Washington.

Guard Mike Wahle's status is less clear. He suffered an injury to the same shoulder that has undergone surgery in the past, keeping him out of Sunday's game for most of the second half.

Holmgren said that tests revealed no tear to the labrum, but the timetable for the veteran's return is still unknown.

Hasselbeck came out of Sunday's game with a clean bill of health, despite playing for the first time in six weeks because of a bad back.

Fullback Leonard Weaver said he expects to be back on the field this week after missing Sunday's game with bruised rubs, while Holmgren said that defensive end Patrick Kerney is likely to continue resting his sore shoulder after undergoing surgery.

Quick slants: Zorn isn't the only ex-Seahawk who will be at Qwest Field on Sunday. The Redskins also have running back Shaun Alexander and punter Ryan Plackemeier. Washington's running backs coach, Stump Mitchell, spent the past nine seasons with the Seahawks. … While a postseason appearance is pretty much out of the question, the Seahawks are still involved in another kind of race. As of this week, Seattle and St. Louis -- both 2-8 -- would be involved in a coin flip for the No. 4 overall pick in the NFL draft. Only Detroit (0-10), Kansas City (1-9) and Cincinnati (1-8-1) have worse records.
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