Seattle’s No. 1 offense shines

Published 9:00 pm Friday, September 2, 2005

SEATTLE – In a short-but-sweet final performance Friday night, the Seattle Seahawks’ offense was … well, perfect.

At least that was the case for quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, whose 158.3 passer rating was the highest total possible. He was 3 for 3 for 60 yards, including a 24-yard touchdown pass to tight end Jerramy Stevens.

“Tonight was good,” Hasselbeck said after a 23-21 loss to the Minnesota Vikings in the otherwise meaningless preseason finale. “I’m happy that that first drive went so well. It felt good.”

If you really want to get picky, the Seahawks’ only drive with the No. 1 offense on the field had one flaw. They didn’t get a first down or touchdown on every play – only on five of their six snaps.

While the ending was a mild disappointment – the Seahawks lost on a last-second Minnesota field goal – Friday’s preseason finale started well enough to create some optimism heading into the Sept. 11 regular-season opener.

After cornerback Kelly Herndon made an impressive interception on Minnesota’s opening drive, Seattle’s offense marched 83 yards in five plays – with help from one 5-yard penalty – to score a touchdown. In addition to Hasselbeck completing all three of his throws, Shaun Alexander made a nifty 17-yard run.

But Seattle’s No. 1 defense didn’t let the lead last for long, giving up an 11-play, 63-yard touchdown drive. It was disturbing enough for coach Mike Holmgren to leave most of the defensive starters out for a third drive, which ended after just three Minnesota plays.

After that second-quarter drive, the game was left to the reserves to mop up. Seahawks backup Seneca Wallace completed 14 of 19 passes for 96 yards in more than a half of action, but he threw an interception and was sacked five times. Third stringer David Greene, a rookie from Georgia, threw an interception on his only pass attempt.

Mostly, Friday’s game was for the players on the bubble. With roster cuts due this afternoon, the 76 players currently on the roster were making their final push for a spot on the team.

Rookie fullback Leonard Weaver scored his second long touchdown of the preseason, rambling 31 yards in the third quarter. Defensive end Alain Kashama, who was acquired from the Chicago Bears earlier this week, forced Minnesota backup quarterback Brad Johnson into an intentional grounding after wrapping him up in the second quarter, and defensive end Joe Tafoya had his first sack of the preseason. Defensive tackle Craig Terrill, who already leads the team with three preseason sacks, also forced an intentional grounding penalty.

Cornerbacks Jordan Babineaux and B.J. Tucker also made nice plays, although it remains to be seen whether it will be enough for them to land on the roster.

Kickoff return man Josh Scobey, who hadn’t made much noise in his first seven quarters with the Seahawks, broke a 52-yard return in the fourth quarter.

Among those who hurt themselves, reserve offensive lineman Andy King had a forgettable final game as a Seahawk. King struggled in his first game at left tackle, committing four penalties and giving up two sacks on his first 27 snaps. The NFL Europe product had been moved from guard after backup left tackle Sean Locklear went into the starting lineup in place of injured starter Floyd Womack.

Also hurting himself was wide receiver Jerheme Urban, who caught a team-high three passes but dropped the first one thrown his direction and later fumbled after a reception. Urban was already in danger of losing his roster spot after last week’s addition of Peter Warrick, and his performance Friday did very little to change any minds.

Safety John Howell got flagged for two key penalties, one of which set up a Minnesota touchdown.

Then there were players like University of Washington product Omare Lowe, a defensive back who made a potential game-saving play by breaking up a pass on third and long in the final minute. Unfortunately for Lowe, he gave up a 44-yard reception to Ryan Hoag on the next play, as Minnesota converted a fourth-and-16 to set up the game winning field goal.

Stevens and Herndon helped themselves in battles for starting spots, as did rookie middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu (three tackles, two quarterback hurries). All three were in the starting lineup and might hold onto that position in the regular season.

Rookie linebacker LeRoy Hill, who was seeing his first action since the preseason opener because of a knee injury, also played well with the No. 2 defense.