We’re just about ready to get going here at Qwest Field. A whole lot of Seahawks are getting the night off, a couple because of injuries, but the bulk of them are just resting with the opener only 10 days away.
We already know that the following players won’t see action tonight:
Seneca Wallace, Julius Jones, Marcus Trufant, Deon Grant, Brian Russell, Josh Wilson, Travis Fisher, Ken Lucas, C.J. Wallace, Lofa Tatupu, Darryl Dapp, Leroy Hill, Chris Spencer, Walter Jones, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Colin Cole, Brandon Mebane, Cory Redding and Patrick Kerney.
Note that Matt Hasselbeck is not on that list, and with Wallace out I wouldn’t be surprised to see Hasselbeck play a series or two. And as I wrote that he comes out with the offense for the first possession. Edgerrin James is also on the field.
A pair of punts to start the game
Edgerring James looked pretty good running the ball, gaining four yards on his first carry, and seven on the next to give the Seahawks a first down. But Justin Forsett lost yards on the next two carries, and although he gained 10 yards on third down (like they would risk Hasselbeck drop back and throw on 3rd and 15 in the fourth preseason game) the Seahawks had to punt. John Ryan hit a beauty though, pinning the Raiders at their own 8-yard line. David Hawthorne sacked JaMarcus Russell on first down, setting up a three-and-out for the defense.
And as the offense comes back out, it looks like Matt Hasselbeck’s day is done already, so too is that of the first-string offensive line (though Max Unger is still on the field having moved from guard to center). I seriously doubt we’ll see any more of James either.
Teel to Butler makes it 7-0 Seahawks
With Seneca Wallace out, Mike Teel worked with the No. 2 offense, and he took advantage of a short field to lead the Seahawks to a touchdown.
First he hit Deon Butler over the middle for a 23 yard gain to get the ball into Raiders territory, and three plays later, he hit Butler on a crossing route and the speedy rookie did the rest, turning the corner and juking a defender at the goal line.
And it looks like Olindo Mare really wants to win that kicking job. He not only hit the ensuing kickoff into the endzone, but he also pushed Oakland’s returner out of bounds at midfield, possibly saving a touchdown.
Former Husky Louis Rankin ties it for the Raiders
Yes you read that right. Rankin, an undrafted rookie a year ago, busted off a 44-yard touchdown run right up the middle to tie the game at 7 with 7:08 left.
The Seahawks had a penalty-marred three-and-out that featured a hold by Mansfield Wrotto on a reverse to Ben Obomanu, and a false start on Andre Ramsey. John Ryan, my preseason MVP so far (I know, it’s a big honor) proceeded to hit perhaps his worst punt of the year so far, a low liner than got a favorable bounce to end up as a 43-yard-punt.
Still 7-7 after one quarter
A few observations on the players fighting for a roster spot. As mentioned before, Mare had a nice sequence of a deep kickoff and a touchdown saving tackle (Ok, shove out of bounds).
Defensive tackle Michael Bennett has been disruptive, but he has also been guilty of a penalty and of letting Louis Rankin turn a potential tackle for loss into a six-yard run. Defensive end Nick Reed doesn’t have any sacks, but did run down Raiders quarterback Jeff Garcia to hold him a short gain, and has been getting pressure.
Receiver Jordan Kent didn’t come up with a third-down ball thrown his way. It certainly wasn’t an easy catch; the defensive back made a nice play to break it up, but it was certainly a catch Kent could have made, and as a guy trying to make the team, he probably wishes he could have it back.
And even though he isn’t trying to make the team, it’s worth noting that Aaron Curry has two tackles for loss after getting one to start the second quarter and force a punt.
Yawn… still tied at 7
Ok, I know this game is important for people trying to make the team, yada yada yada. But if we’re going to sit through the fourth game of the preseason, is a little bit more scoring too much to ask?
Anyway, nobody has scored so far in the second quarter. Just my observation, but to me it looks like Michael Bennett could be playing his way into the roster. He isn’t racking up huge stats, but he’s doing what a three-technique tackle should do: getting into the backfield and being disruptive. Baraka Atkins, who is also battling for a roster spot on the D-line, didn’t help himself any by bailing the Raiders out when they were pinned inside their own five by picking up a roughing-the-passer penalty.
Obomanu goes deep for a TD
One play after an Oakland turnover, Mike Teel went deep and Ben Obomanu (another guy trying to make the team) came down with the 38-yard TD catch despite a pass interference call against the defender on the play.
Derek Walker caused the turnover with a fumble-causing sack, and Michael Bennett (there’s that name again) recovered.
It’s 14-7 Seahawks with 2:13 left in the half.
Seahawks lead 17-7 at half
The Seahawks are only one half away from a perfect preseason record. I know, so exciting, huh?
Another sack and fumble, this one caused by Aaron Curry and recovered by Nick Reed, led to a Mare field goal to end the half.
A few stats from the first half:
Justin Forsett, 12 carries for 42 yards
Mike Teel, 8 for 14 for 128 yards and 2 touchdowns
Obomanu two catches for 58 yards and 1 TD
This will probably be about it for the game thread unless something big happens. Gotta work on the story for tomorrow’s paper. I’ll check back in with a few quotes and thoughts after the game.
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