KIRKLAND — While Sunday’s rematch of the 2005 NFC Championship game should bring back some pleasant memories for Seattle Seahawks fans, few remember that January day as vividly as backup quarterback Seneca Wallace.
In what was probably the biggest win in franchise history, Wallace had a key play that set the tone against the Carolina Panthers.
It marked the first time in his NFL career that Wallace lined up at wide receiver, and he caught a 28-yard pass to set up the Seahawks’ first touchdown that day.
“That was one of the highlights of my career,” Wallace said. “Just being able to play in a championship game, and to make a big play, that was big.”
Wallace remembers practicing at receiver all week leading up to that game, but not until the day before kickoff was he informed that he would be part of the game plan.
The coaching staff had a play designed for Wallace among the first 15 plays, which the offensive coaching staff designs before each game.
“It was exciting because I hadn’t been playing,” said Wallace, who appeared in mop-up duty as a quarterback in six regular-season games that season. “I remember when we got the first 15, and they told me I was going to be in there for the seventh play. That gave me a little more butterflies than usual.”
Wallace lined up wide, across from Panthers cornerback Ken Lucas, who had played with him as a member of the Seahawks the previous year. Lucas immediately started motioning to his Carolina teammates that a trick play was in the works.
“I knew it was a gadget play, and I was trying to alert my teammates,” Lucas said during a conference call earlier this week. “They just snapped the ball too quickly, and I wasn’t set.
(Wallace) made a great catch on me. I got back in position to make a play, but he came down with the ball, so it was a great play on his part.”
Wallace has continued to see action at receiver since that game, with a catch in the 2006 playoffs and two more receptions this season.
Old Man River: No official announcement had been made by the Panthers on Friday, and so the Seahawks don’t know whether they’ll face the oldest quarterback in the NFL or one of the youngest.
Matt Moore, a 23-year-old rookie from Oregon State, has taken most of the practice reps this week. But 44-year-old Vinny Testaverde, who has not practiced all week while healing an undisclosed injury, has started four of the past five games.
Seahawks rookie Brandon Mebane knows one of the candidates well, having played against Moore while Mebane was at Cal.
As for the veteran? Mebane is not quite as familiar with his bio.
“He was in college when I wasn’t even born,” Mebane said with shock after hearing Testaverde was a rookie in 1987. “To still be playing at 44? Wow.”
Mebane, who was born in 1985, was even more shocked to hear that Testaverde had won the 1986 Heisman Trophy.
“I was 1 year old,” Mebane said. “He’s been playing my whole life. Damn. That’s crazy, man.”
Asked what he’ll be doing at the age of 44, Mebane said: “I’ll be retired. I’ll be good and retired. Chilling with my kids. In the Bahamas.”
Testaverde was listed as “probable” for the game on the official injury report that came out Friday afternoon.
Russell questionable: Seahawks strong safety Brian Russell missed a second consecutive day of practice due to a pulled abdominal muscle Friday, but coach Mike Holmgren is holding out hope that Russell will be able to play against the Panthers on Sunday.
“That’ll be a Sunday decision,” Holmgren said. “I think we’re being conservative with him. He’s very important to us, so we’ll see how it goes Sunday.”
Russell is listed as “questionable” on the injury report, meaning there is a 50-50 chance he will play. If Russell isn’t available, Mike Green would probably start.
Holmgren could not pinpoint when the injury happened, saying that Russell has had a history with hamstring problems.
The only Seahawks players ruled out of Sunday’s game are cornerback Josh Wilson (quadriceps) and wide receiver D.J. Hackett (ankle).
Quick slants: Offensive linemen Chris Gray (general soreness) and Tom Ashworth (illness) returned to practice Friday, while defensive tackle Rocky Bernard (groin) remained sidelined. All three are expected to play Sunday against the Panthers. … The game balls from last Sunday’s win over Arizona were handed out after Friday’s practice. Gray (offense), cornerback Marcus Trufant (defense) and running back Josh Scobey (special teams) received game balls. … Coaches and players took a tour of the site of the team’s new Renton practice facility on Friday afternoon.
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