Wallace is under media microscope

Published 9:00 pm Wednesday, October 25, 2006

KIRKLAND – They came, and this time they didn’t leave.

Reporters who typically show up for the weekly buffet spread at the Seattle Seahawks practice facility had a reason to stick around for practice this time. With about 30 media types standing by, quarterback Seneca Wallace made his practice debut as the Seahawks’ starter Wednesday.

“He did real well today,” quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn said afterward.

“He was a little tight when we started,” offensive coordinator Gil Haskell added, “but he finished up pretty darn good.”

Wallace was under the microscope because he’ll be making his starting debut Sunday at Kansas City. Matt Hasselbeck is expected to miss at least three games with a sprained right knee, putting Wallace in position to take over as temporary starter.

“Seneca is pretty much of a cool breeze out there,” coach Mike Holmgren said. “He’s kind of acting like this is another day at the office.”

Wallace said the only difference he feels this week is the extra media attention.

“All that other stuff you have to deal with that comes along with playing a position,” he said, “you have to deal with it and just play football and tune that stuff out.”

Who’s No. 2? Holmgren confirmed that David Greene will serve as Wallace’s primary backup, even though the team signed Gibran Hamdan to add depth.

“Well, David’s been here, so David is the guy behind Seneca,” Holmgren said.

“Instead of being two plays away, I’m one play away now,” said Greene, a second-year player who has never thrown a pass in a regular-season game. “You hate to see anybody go down, but you have to be ready. I’m going to go out this week and make sure I’m ready to go. I have to get in rhythm and be ready to go.”

Sims to play: Safety Michael Boulware wasn’t the only Seahawk being reprimanded for inconsistent play.

Left guard Chris Spencer has also struggled, and Holmgren said that will probably mean more playing time for rookie Rob Sims.

“I think Sims has worked hard. I know he’s a good player,” Holmgren said. “He’s a strong, physical guy. He’s a natural guard. And I think now’s probably the time to take a look at him, just a little bit, before (original starter Floyd Womack) comes back.”

Sims is looking at the opportunity as a tryout.

“I don’t know if I deserve to be the starter just yet,” Sims said. “I’m still young, and I still make of mistakes here and there. It’s just another chance to go in and see how good I really am.”

Injury update: Running back Shaun Alexander could begin practicing on a limited basis this week, but he’s being listed as “doubtful” for Sunday’s game against Kansas City.

Alexander was one of seven players who was held out of Wednesday’s practice. He was joined on the sideline by Hasselbeck (out due to the knee injury), Womack (questionable, knee), defensive tackle Marcus Tubbs (questionable, knee), linebacker D.D. Lewis (questionable, toe), wide receiver Bobby Engram (questionable, illness) and right tackle Sean Locklear (probable, ankle).

Holmgren said that Alexander, who had a cracked bone in his foot, has started working out on the treadmill. He’s expected to play against Oakland a week from Monday.

Ex-Seahawk signed: Former Seahawks offensive lineman Chris Terry has been reinstated to the NFL and is likely to sign with the Chiefs this week, according to a report on ESPN.com.

Terry, 31, has been out of the league since 2004 after multiple violations of the NFL substance abuse and personal conduct policy.