Post-game report card

So what to make of this game? The Seahawks got off to a pretty bad start with three turnovers, yet they won by four touchdowns, which is a huge margin in the NFL.

Ultimately, it's hard to be too critical of a 28-0 win, but I suppose we do have to factor in the fact that the Rams are a 2-14 team from last year and appear to be headed for another tough season.

So having not seen the film, let's take a hasty stab at assigning grades for this one. Warning: these grades are just my gut reaction, and in all likelihood, grossly inaccurate.

Quarterback--B+
If we could leave out the first quarter, Hasselbeck would get a solid A for his three-touchdown, 279-yard effort. But we can't just leave out those two interceptions, so we'll dock him a letter grade. And don't forget Seneca Wallace had a 24-yard catch on that trick play, that bumps it up a partial grade.

O-line--B+
Sure the running game took a little while to get going, but it's hard to be too critical of a unit missing two of its starter that still led the team to a 4.9-yard-per-carry average and kept Hasselbeck upright all night.

Running backs--B+
It's hard to tell what credit/blame goes to the line and what goes to the backs without watching the game again, so they'll get the same grade. Julius Jones got better as the game wore on, and showed some speed on a 62-yard touchdown run. Edgerrin James looked OK as Jones' backup, though he did fail to convert at least one third-and-short (but again, hard to say if it was the line or the runner).

Receiver/tight end--A
Other than an early fumble, Nate Burleson looked impressive, especially considering that he missed all of last season with a knee injury. John Carlson, the second-year tight end, had a monster game and looks like he's headed for another big season. T.J. Houshmandzadeh added six catches in his debut with Seattle.

Front seven--A-
What's that you say? I'm copping out by lumping the line and the linebackers together? Well, you're right. I'm tired and want to go home, but I'm committed to this report card now. Anyway, three sacks from three players is a good sign, as is holding Steven Jackson to 67 yards. There were a few whiffs on open-field tackles, however. Bonus points for playing well even after losing two starting linebackers.

Secondary--A
There were a few long completions, though many of those came late in the game, and besides, we've got to give credit to this unit considering the Seahawks were last in the league in pass defense last season.

Special teams--B+
Gotta like that turnover on the opening kickoff, as well as a few touchbacks from Olindo Mare. But the return game wasn't anything to write home about, and a couple of Mare's kicks, including the one that was blocked by St. Louis' vaunted 12-man front, looked a bit on the low side.

Coaching--A
I'm sure there's plenty to be critical of, but hey, it was a 28-point win and a shutout. So yeah, I'm grading easy tonight.