By Scott M. Johnson
Herald Writer
KIRKLAND – A dozen consecutive victories under his belt, Trent Dilfer will have the opportunity to notch lucky No. 13 this weekend.
Dilfer will be Seattle’s starting quarterback in Sunday’s game against the Denver Broncos, Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said Thursday. Holmgren was hoping to get Matt Hasselbeck back from a groin injury, but after seeing him practice Wednesday, the coach decided to go with Dilfer.
“I’m being a little bit careful, and then Trent played well last week,” Holmgren said. “I just think over the long haul that this is the best way to do it. Matt really wanted to play, and I’m sure he could play. But this way, I know for sure that he’ll be healthy for the next one.”
The genesis of the decision comes down to the fact that the Seahawks have a bye next Sunday. The thinking is that playing Dilfer this week will essentially give Hasselbeck two more weeks of rest.
“In all fairness, (Hasselbeck) could play, but I know he’ll (eventually) be 100 percent healthy if he does not play,” Holmgren said.
Hasselbeck said he was disappointed with the decision, but that he understood. The injury has hobbled him since training camp, and eventually forced him out of a Sept. 30 game against Oakland. He didn’t play in Sunday’s win over Jacksonville.
“I could play,” Hasselbeck said of the Denver game. “But I think he’s making the decision he feels is best for the team this season.”
Dilfer stepped in for Hasselbeck last week and led the Seahawks to a 24-15 victory. Yet Holmgren proclaimed afterward that he would re-insert Hasselbeck into the starting lineup whenever he regains his health.
Dilfer has accepted his role as Hasselbeck’s backup, but said he is prepared to start against the Broncos.
“I think it’s good for the football team,” Dilfer said of naming a starter during the week. “Either way, I think uncertainty can become a distraction. This way, everybody knows what to expect, and we’ll go out there and try to get another win.”
Last week was only one victory, but Dilfer already has the confidence of his teammates.
“He integrated himself really well,” tight end Christian Fauria said. “He just kind of jumped in the water. It wasn’t like he was seeing if it was warm or if it was cold, he just jumped right in. I think that’s probably the best thing to do in this situation, especially if you want to be a part of the team. It was great. He’s a great guy. I knew he would have been a great fit here.”
Dilfer began last season in a similar role with Baltimore as backup to Tony Banks, and eventually took over as starter when the Ravens’ offense went five games without a touchdown. After losing in his first start, Dilfer rallied the Ravens to 11 consecutive wins, including the Super Bowl.
He was signed to a one-year contract during training camp, but Holmgren has continually repeated that Hasselbeck is the No. 1 quarterback.
Dilfer was quick to seek out Hasselbeck on Thursday, shortly after Sunday’s starter was announced.
“Trent was the first person to come over to me and say, ‘Hey, I’m sorry. You should play this week,’” Hasselbeck said. “He was trying to give me a pep talk, and I appreciate it, but I said, ‘Hey, don’t worry about it. I’m not upset because I have faith that you can get us a win, and that is the most important thing for this team right now.’”
Holmgren said there is a possibility that Hasselbeck could be the No. 2 quarterback this weekend, meaning he would play if Dilfer were injured. Brock Huard is the only other quarterback on the roster.
Notes: Sunday’s game will be blacked out locally, as about 8,000 tickets still remain. … Holmgren said cornerback Shawn Springs will probably work in a reserve role again this week, with Willie Williams and Ken Lucas serving as the starters.
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