After spending seven seasons as Matt Hasselbeck’s backup, Seneca Wallace will start a new chapter in his NFL career.
That new start, however, will feature a very familiar face.
The Seahawks traded Wallace Monday to the Cleveland Browns and their new team president, Mike Holmgren. Holmgren tutored Wallace for the first six years of his NFL career, and while he is not coaching in Cleveland, the system will be one Wallace is familiar with as he competes for playing time.
“This will give Seneca a chance for a fresh start,” Seahawks general manager John Schneider said in a statement released by the team. “The Browns front office’s familiarity with his abilities will give him an opportunity to compete for playing time. We wish him nothing but the best.”
The Seahawks will receive an undisclosed draft pick in 2011, likely a late-round pick, though it is possible that the compensation could be affected by Wallace’s performance for the Browns in 2010.
It was already likely that Seattle might seek a quarterback in the upcoming draft with Hasselbeck in the final year of his contract. Now, after parting with their backup quarterback, the chances seem even greater that the Seahawks will use one of their picks on a quarterback.
Mike Teel, a seventh-round pick in 2009, served as the Seahawks third quarterback last season. He, or a player drafted in April, could compete for the backup job.
Wallace, a fourth-round pick in 2003, played in 46 career games, starting 14. He has completed 59.8 percent of his career passes for 3,530 yards, thrown for 25 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. He also played sparingly at receiver, most notably making a catch in Seattle’s NFC Championship game win over Carolina.
Wallace started two games last season in place of Hasselbeck, and eight in 2008.
Herald Writer John Boyle: jboyle@heraldnet.com. For more Seahawks coverage, check out the Seahawks blog at heraldnet.com/seahawksblog
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