Hawks’ Engram looks good in place of Rogers

By Scott M. Johnson

Herald Writer

SEATTLE – Charlie who?

After the way Bobby Engram played in his debut as a Seahawks punt returner, it was easy to forget that Charlie Rogers wasn’t on the field Sunday.

Engram, who said he had not returned a punt in four years, took over as the team’s punt returner and looked like a natural. Rogers, the team’s all-time leader in several return categories, missed the game due to a sore toe.

“The guys up front were geeked all week,” said Engram, who averaged 16.7 yards on three returns. “That’s all you need. If they’re going to do that, I’m going to do my best to run it up in there and get some yards.”

Engram was one of the beneficiaries of an improved return game. Coach Mike Holmgren challenged the special teams unit earlier in the week to improve upon earlier struggles. Asked after the game what Holmgren had used as incentive, he said: “Jobs.”

The unit, sparked by the addition of Engram, responded. The team’s punt return average heading into the game was 9.8 yards per return.

“We couldn’t keep playing on that short field,” Holmgren said. “Everyone gets paid, now. You have to prove you’re responsible, you’re accountable, and let’s get it going. And they played well today.”

Engram also provided one of the game’s most visually-appealing plays near the end of the game. Engram went high into the air to catch Jason Elam’s onside kick, then hung onto the ball after Denver special teamer George Coghill took out his legs. Engram went head-over-heels onto the turf, clutching the ball all the way.

Blocking receiver: Engram wasn’t the only special teamer to shine Sunday.

Wide receiver Alex Bannister, a rookie fifth-round pick from Eastern Kentucky, made quite a play of his own in blocking and recovering a Tom Rouen punt late in the third quarter.

Bannister scooped up the ball at the Denver 9-yard line and ran it into the end zone for his first NFL touchdown.

“Touchdown all the way,” Bannister said when asked whether he considered falling on the loose ball. “That was my only time to get the ball, so touchdown.”

Bannister also blocked a punt in his first preseason game. Although he’s rarely used as a receiver – he also made his first NFL catch Sunday – Bannister seems to have found his niche with special teams. What makes that even more remarkable is the fact that Bannister had never played special teams at any level before this season.

“It’s nice to see hard work rewarded,” Holmgren said. “That’s about the best thing I can say about Alex. His first couple days of minicamp, he came in very raw. But he’s worked hard. He’s a good one. That was a good (draft) pick.”

Backup plan: Of course, Holmgren again had to avoid questions of a quarterback controversy following another Trent Dilfer-led victory.

When the Seahawks return from their bye week, Matt Hasselbeck is expected to be fully recovered from a groin injury – meaning he’ll be the starter.

“That’s my role,” Dilfer said of being a backup. “I promised Mike Holmgren that I’d give him the best year of my life, in whatever role he asked me to play. He asked me to come in a difficult situation and play a couple games, and I did whatever I could to win them. I’ll do everything I can to help this team win as the No. 2, No. 3, whatever it is.”

Ironically, Dilfer left the third quarter of Sunday’s game due to a groin injury and was replaced by Hasselbeck.

Holmgren had hoped to keep Hasselbeck out of the game to fully rest the injury, but he had said beforehand that would use Hasselbeck only in an emergency-type situation.

Not-so-hot Rod: The Seahawks held Denver receiver Rod Smith to his lowest yardage total of the season Sunday: 43 yards off six receptions.

“He puts on his pants like we put on our pants,” said cornerback Willie Williams, who drew most of the man-to-man coverage with Smith on Sunday. “This guy’s a great receiver, but he’s just going to come out and play. We’ve got guys who can go out and cover guys. We’ve got Reggie Tongue, Marcus Robertson, Shawn Springs, myself – we’re good. We’re not slouches.”

Quick slants: Starting free safety Marcus Robertson pulled his hamstring in the first half and was replaced by Maurice Kelly. … Denver quarterback Brian Griese played despite an injured throwing shoulder. Griese was held out of at least one practice last week, but played for the entire game. … The Seahawks are now 9-3 in games leading up to their bye week. … Denver had won 14 of the past 17 meetings with Seattle, including the last three. … Tackle Chris McIntosh was available, but played only on special teams. McIntosh has been struggling with a neck stinger since training camp. Todd Weiner started in his place at right tackle, improving Seattle’s record to 3-0 with him in the starting lineup this season. … Bannister’s touchdown marked the first time since 1987 that a Seahawks player returned a blocked punt for six points. … Tongue, who was known more for his run defense while in Kansas City, has one more interception this season (three) than he did in the first five seasons of his career.