SEATTLE – It didn’t take long for the Seattle Seahawks to reap immediate rewards from their new defensive end.
Or is it: defensive tackle?
Former Atlanta Falcons Pro Bowler Patrick Kerney made quite an impact in his first regular-season game as a Seahawk, whether he was playing inside or outside on the defensive line.
“Every game I line up, I want to have an impact on a win,” said Kerney, who had a sack and was in on another during Sunday’s 20-6 win over Tampa Bay. “I was able to make a few plays that were able to make a difference in the game. Every game, I want to be a complete performer here and build on that.”
While Kerney has spent most of his career as a defensive end, the Seahawks mixed things up a little bit by lining him up at defensive tackle in their nickel defense.
“Is it a challenge? Sure,” said Kerney, who had both of his sacks while working on the outside. “But you don’t get in this business to have the easy way out.
“I think our coaches are smart when they do it. They’re not going to be doing it on third-and-1. It’s good. Teams will see it, they’ll work their package for it, and we’ll respond with something else.”
When Kerney would shift inside, right end Darryl Tapp would take his spot at left defensive end while linebacker Julian Peterson would play right end.
“It keeps me bouncing around and keeps other teams guessing,” said Kerney, adding that he played a similar position when the Falcons ran a 3-4 defense for two years in Atlanta.
Kerney’s occasional move inside wasn’t the only defensive switch Sunday. The Seahawks also used new safety Deon Grant as a cornerback at times in an effort to help shore up the run defense. The 215-pound Grant would replace 180-pound Kelly Jennings at cornerback while Mike Green would come into the game and take Grant’s spot at strong safety.
“It keeps the offense off beat,” Grant said. “They don’t know if I’m playing in the box as a safety, or if I’m disguising (the defense) or what. When they figure it out, the quarterback’s already got the ball in his hand.
“Now it’s on film, so they’re going to try to figure it out.”
Whatever Seattle’s defense did was obviously working, as Tampa Bay only scored six points while being held to 284 yards of total offense.
Special contributors: Seattle’s special teams got off to a horrific start Sunday but eventually made a huge difference in the win.
Nate Burleson’s 56-yard punt return late in the first half set up a Shaun Alexander touchdown to give the Seahawks their first lead.
“I thought I was going to score, but somebody got me toward the end,” said Burleson, who went out of bounds at the Tampa 14. “Once I got past the punter (Josh Bidwell), I was thinking about the touchdown celebration I’m going to come up with. But they got me.”
Seattle’s return game sputtered early on, giving the Seahawks possession at their own 16, 14 and 22 on the first three returns of the game.
The coverage team, on the other hand, had a great afternoon. Tampa Bay started six of its 12 drives at or inside its own 20-yard line.
12th … official? The rowdy Qwest Field crowd had an effect on another victory, but it also cost the Seahawks a big play.
Late in the third quarter, Tampa Bay’s Bidwell took a snap out of punt formation but made no effort to kick the ball. When a trio of Seahawks defenders wrapped him up, the play was whistled dead.
But instead of giving Seattle the ball in Buccaneers territory, officials ruled that Bidwell stopped because he heard a whistle from the stands. Tampa Bay was given a second opportunity to kick, resulting in a touchback.
“I thought the referees handled it pretty well, actually,” Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said. “I know (the call) went against me, but in fairness it was probably the right thing to do.”
Out of their hands: When wide receiver D.J. Hackett left the game in the first half due to an ankle injury, the Seahawks were desperately thin at the position.
How thin?
“It took away our four-wide (receiver) package,” quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said, “and took away a lot of what we came into this game hoping to do.”
The Seahawks had only activated four receivers, opting to name Ben Obomanu (sore hamstring) and Courtney Taylor (coaches’ decision) to the eight-man inactive list.
Holmgren said that he did not know the extent of Hackett’s ankle injury, adding that the team is likely to give an update today.
Typical Alexander: With 105 rushing yards on Sunday, Seattle’s Alexander recorded his 36th career 100-yard game. It marked the third time that he’s done it on opening day.
The Seahawks are now 30-6 when Alexander rushes for at least 100 yards.
Alexander also scored his 97th career rushing touchdown, leaving him three shy of becoming the eighth running back in NFL history to score 100. He is the Seahawks’ all-time leader in total touchdowns (108).
End of the streak: Wide receiver Deion Branch was held without a reception for the first time since his rookie year in 2002. Branch had caught a pass in 55 consecutive games, not including those for which he was inactive due to injury or roster exemption.
“In our system, Deion should touch the ball more than any of the other receivers,” Holmgren said. “He really should.”
Quick slants: The Seahawks’ inactive list also included veteran offensive lineman Tom Ashworth and former Bucs defensive tackle Ellis Wyms, who was added to the roster one week ago. … Tampa Bay did not activate middle linebacker Jeremiah Trotter, who was also signed last week. … In his last two games against Seattle, former Seahawks receiver Joey Galloway now has 13 receptions for 190 yards and a touchdown.
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