Dilfer shows Super Bowl poise, but will he remain a starter?

  • Scott M. Johnson / Herald Writer
  • Sunday, December 30, 2001 9:00pm
  • Sports

By Scott M. Johnson

Herald Writer

SAN DIEGO – They gathered into another huddle on what seemed like a lost afternoon. Admittedly, some of the Seattle Seahawks were wondering if perhaps the game were slipping away.

But when they looked into the blue eyes of their veteran quarterback, they just knew. On game days, something about Trent Dilfer’s eyes show all that needs to be said.

“He’s been through a lot,” wide receiver Darrell Jackson said. “He didn’t win the Super Bowl for nothing. He’s not 20-1 for nothing. He knows a lot, and that’s a great inspiration.”

The players aren’t the only ones who have faith in Dilfer’s ability. Despite a 13-0 deficit and an offense that had accumulated just one first down on its first three drives, Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren decided to let his veteran backup take a few shots down the field.

Three plays later, including a 43-yard touchdown pass from Dilfer to Jackson, the Seahawks were back in the game.

“(Dilfer) stayed pretty calm,” Holmgren said of the early deficit. “I was ranting and raving, and he does a nice job of staying composed. That’s a real strength of his. He has a real cool head, and he’s always thinking.”

There were too many factors to count in Sunday’s 25-22 win over the San Diego Chargers, and it would be oversimplifying things to call Dilfer the most important. But the 29-year-old quarterback showed once again that he knows what it takes to win. The last 14 times he has taken the field as a starter, Dilfer has led his team to victory. That includes last year’s Super Bowl, while he was playing with the Baltimore Ravens.

So there was not a whole lot of panic on the Seattle sideline when Dilfer and the Seahawks fell behind early in the game.

Dilfer, making his first start since Oct. 14, misfired on his first five attempts Sunday. Meanwhile, the Chargers put together two long drives and took advantage of a shanked punt to take the 13-point lead.

Holmgren knew that Dilfer would snap out of it.

“I think there was some rust there,” he said. “I thought Thursday’s practice, he was a little off. We talked about it, and he had a good practice Friday.

“He’s a veteran guy, and he has tremendous poise. He didn’t concern me, and I thought he played pretty well.”

After the initial rustiness, Dilfer finished the game with his most impressive stats of the season. Dilfer completed 14 of 23 passes for 267 yards and three touchdowns despite playing with a receiving corps that included James Williams in the starting lineup for the first time ever.

Dilfer hit Jackson on touchdown passes of 43 and 48 yards in the second quarter to help Seattle take a 14-13 lead, then added another touchdown on Williams’ 37-yard catch-and-run in the second half.

Dilfer’s four passes of 30 yards or longer Sunday were only three fewer than starter Matt Hasselbeck has thrown all year. In fact, Dilfer has now completed one more pass of 30 or more yards this season than Hasselbeck has – despite the fact that he has thrown 237 fewer passes.

Despite his success as a starter, Dilfer refuses to grumble about his role of Hasselbeck’s backup for most of this season. The only reason he started against San Diego was because Hasselbeck is nursing injuries to his left shoulder and clavicle.

“It’s hard, but it’s my job,” Dilfer said after Sunday’s win. “It’s been a great year, because I’ve had to learn to do some things that I haven’t had to do in the past. Staying into the game, preparing like you’re going to play, then going and sitting and watching on Sunday has been tough. But it’s been great. It helped me today.

“I don’t think I played great today. There was rust early on. But I just trusted my instincts and trusted the people around me. When you do that, it makes up for some rust.”

What the future holds for Dilfer is still to be determined. His long-term situation will unfold this offseason, as he only signed a one-year contract with the Seahawks. On the more immediate horizon, there is no guarantee that Dilfer will start this Sunday against Kansas City. Hasselbeck said shortly after the win over San Diego that he still plans on playing this week.

“That’s the plan,” he said. “I just didn’t want anything to hinder me from coming back next week.”

Holmgren will have yet another controversial decision to make this week, and Dilfer probably won’t make any noise one way or the other. That’s just not the veteran’s style.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Monroe's Halle Keller drives past Meadowdale's Payton Fleishman during a Feb. 14, 2025 3A District 1 playoff game at Meadowdale High School. (Qasim Ali / The Herald)
Last-second layup powers Monroe past Mavs in districts

The Bearcats staged a 50-49 road upset in a district clash.

Shorecrest’s Cassie Chesnut leaps in the air to block a shot by Shorewood’s Bridget Cox during the 3A district playoff game on Friday, Feb. 14, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Shorecrest girls win rubber match against Shorewood

Cassie Chesnut’s 28 points, 18 rebounds pushes the Scots to District 1 3A semifinals with 53-38 win.

Snohomish’s Kendall Hammer yells in celebration with teammate Snohomish’s Sienna Capelli after she makes a shot and is fouled during the game on Thursday, Jan. 9, 2025 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Friday, Feb. 14

Snohomish, Stanwood girls cruise into district semis.

Mountlake Terrace’s Svayjeet Singh leaps in the air after the basketball during the 3A district loser-out playoff game against Snohomish on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Mountlake Terrace, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish upsets Mountlake Terrace for first playoff win in 11 years

Bryson Wheat scored 25 in Panthers’ 49-43 win to advance to the District 1 Boys 3A quarterfinals

Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for Feb. 2-8

The Athlete of the Week nominees for Feb. 2-8. Voting closes at… Continue reading

Julio Rodríguez (left) and manager Dan Wilson (right) of the Seattle Mariners react after the game against the Oakland Athletics at T-Mobile Park on Sept. 27, 2024, in Seattle, Washington. (Steph Chambers / Getty Images / Tribune News Services)
Dan Wilson begins first spring training as M’s manager

An anxious eagerness to get through the first of… Continue reading

Marysville Getchell junior Bubba Palocol reverses directions while dribbling against Arlington during a playoff matchup at Arlington High School on Saturday, Feb. 24, 2024, in Arlington, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Prep basketball roundup for Thursday, Feb. 13

Marysville Getchell, Lakewood boys each earn district wins

Kenneth Walker III runs with against the New York Jets at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 1, 2024. (Photo courtesy of the Seattle Seahawks)
Seahawks hire run game coach

Justin Outten added to staff as Mike Macdonald continues attempts to bolster rushing attack.

Balanced scoring attack leads Gonzaga

Zags take over second place in WCC with 88-77 win over USF.

Shorewood senior Bridget Cox (11) elevates to get a shot over Everett senior Aimelie Hovde-Girard (21) in Shorewood's 41-30 win in the opening round of the District 1 3A Girls Tournament on Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 in Shoreline, Washington. (Joe Pohoryles / The Herald)
Shorewood girls basketball avoids Everett upset bid in 41-30 win

Glasser’s ‘dagger’ 3 caps second-half run, pushes No. 5 Stormrays to 3A District 1 Quarterfinals

Prep roundup for Wednesday, Feb. 12

Terrace, Monroe girls advance in district hoops tournament.

Kimberly Beard, a Mukilteo resident who attends King's High School, prepares to release a throw during the 20-pound weight competition at George Fox University in Newberg, Ore. on Saturday, Feb. 8, 2025. (Photo courtesy of Donna Beard)
Mukilteo’s Kimberly Beard wins throwing event

The King’s High School junior won the 20-pound weight throw at a George Fox indoor meet.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.