Hackett shines in scrimmage

Published 11:14 pm Saturday, August 4, 2007

SEATTLE – With the Space Needle serving as a backdrop, and thousands of fans shelling out $12 to get their first look at the 2007 Seattle Seahawks, the city’s NFL team did not disappoint.

Highlighted by an impressive performance from wide receiver D.J. Hackett and a 99-yard interception return from cornerback Kelly Jennings, the Seahawks kept the energetic crowd into the action throughout Saturday’s intrasquad scrimmage at Seattle Center’s Memorial Field. It was the first scrimmage held on this side of the state since 2002.

“It was really something,” coach Mike Holmgren said of an estimated crowd of 7,000 fans who started cheering a half hour before the scrimmage began and rarely let up. “These folks were great today, and we appreciate them very, very much.”

Hackett caught a game-high five passes for 65 yards and a long touchdown, further proving that he’s ready to assume the starting job at split end.

“He’s doing a great job,” quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said after a 90-minute scrimmage in which the score was not kept. “… We’re growing together.”

Hackett entered training camp in a battle with Nate Burleson for the starting job, but he’s all but put an end to the competition with his performance.

“For me personally, I’m not trying to prove anything,” said Hackett, who had a career-high 45 receptions last season. “I’m just trying to go out and produce. And then the coaches look at it, and it’s for them to decide.”

Hackett’s most impressive play came on a perfect throw from Seneca Wallace for a 39-yard touchdown.

Wallace was on the wrong end of the day’s longest touchdown, throwing an ill-advised pass toward the goal line in a red zone drill. Jennings made a diving catch, got up, and ran 99 yards for a touchdown.

“I was just going to stay there, but then I remembered that this is the NFL and I can get up and run,” said Jennings, a second-year player from the University of Miami.

While most of the players on the field gave up when Jennings hit the ground, Wallace nearly tackled him near the 50-yard line, then doubled back and tripped Jennings up just as he was crossing the goal line for a touchdown.

“I thought I was done with him” at the 50, Jennings said, “but then I saw him again at the goal line.”

Said Wallace: “It was all fun. I didn’t hear any whistles, so I kept running.”

Injury update: Left tackle Walter Jones sat out the scrimmage with a sore right shoulder, although Holmgren said the injury did not appear to be serious.

Also among those sitting out were defensive tackle Craig Terrill (knee), safety Jordan Babineaux (knee) and tight end Will Heller (ankle).

Three players suffered injuries during the course of the game. The two that seemed to most concern Holmgren involved wide receiver Ben Obomanu and tight end Ben Joppru.

Obomanu hurt his neck when safety C.J. Wallace delivered a shoulder-first tackle at the end of a reception. Obomanu eventually walked off under his own power and was led to an ambulance near the northeast tunnel. The team should know more about the injury today.

Joppru hurt his hip when linebacker Marcus Rucker drilled him as he went out of bounds. Joppru was on crutches at the end of the game.

Wide receiver Courtney Taylor suffered a less serious leg injury during the game.

Hasselbeck limited? While Hasselbeck saw more extensive playing time in the scrimmage than veteran starters like guard Chris Gray and running backs Shaun Alexander and Mack Strong, he said afterward that doctors have advised him to take it easy in preseason games.

“Hopefully we can push the envelope on that a little bit,” said Hasselbeck, who underwent January surgery on his non-throwing shoulder but has not been limited at all in training camp.

On Saturday, Hasselbeck saw action on three series, including a red zone drill. He was 7 of 10 for 56 yards and a touchdown.

Weaver ready: Third-year fullback Leonard Weaver also had a strong scrimmage, and he said he’s excited about the opportunity to see some playing time this season.

“I’m 110 percent and ready to roll,” said Weaver, who spent last season on injured reserve after suffering a high ankle sprain in the preseason finale. “I’m excited, my ankle is great, and I’m ready.”

Holmgren said last week that Weaver is likely to get more game action so that the 35-year-old Strong can be more rested as the regular season progresses.

Wilson in the spotlight: Rookie cornerback Josh Wilson, a second-round pick in the April draft, saw his share of action.

Wilson broke up a pass on the first series of the game, then knocked down another pass in the end zone during a red-zone drill. But he also got beat for two touchdowns – the 39-yarder to Hackett and a 5-yard throw to Burleson on an out pattern – and bobbled a kickoff.

“I give myself a B-minus or C-plus,” Wilson said. “I made a lot of good plays out there, but there’s still a lot I need to work on.”