By Scott M. Johnson
Herald Writer
ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. – Already mired in a five-week sack drought, Seattle Seahawks defensive end Michael Sinclair needs all the help he can get.
On Sunday, even after assisting on the biggest sack of the game, Sinclair couldn’t even get into the stat column.
Chad Brown received credit for a full sack on Bills quarterback Alex Van Pelt, even though Brown admitted that Sinclair was the one who caused the fumble.
“Michael was definitely there,” Brown said. “I think he’s the one that knocked the ball out, but I don’t know.”
The forced fumble was recovered by teammate Antonio Cochran and set up a Rian Lindell field goal. Sinclair came from behind to hit Van Pelt at the same time Brown came from the side.
“Aw, man, you know that’s half a sack,” Sinclair said after hearing he wasn’t credited with any part of the sack. “They’ll look at the film, they’ll make their adjustments and give me mine.”
Sinclair can’t afford to miss out on opportunities. After putting up 41.5 sacks from 1996-98, he has just 11.5 since 1999.
“I spoiled you guys with 13, 12, 16. Then it dropped off after that,” Sinclair said. “People take notice. But I can only do what I can do. I’ve had some good rushes this year. We’ve got a lot of football left.
“Have I lost a step? Yeah. But I still know I’m handsome and stuff, and lean.”
Sinclair has just two sacks this season, his last one coming against the Denver Broncos on Oct. 14. Brown’s last sack came the week before that, but he still leads the team with 6 1/2.
Not bad, rook: It was not until Sunday morning that rookie Curtis Fuller officially found out he would start at free safety for the Seahawks, but that doesn’t mean he was shocked to be on the field.
“I kind of had a feeling I was going to start,” the fourth-round pick from Texas Christian University said. “I’m always prepared, no matter what, because you never know.”
Fuller’s first NFL start came only after Marcus Robertson told the coaching staff that his hamstring wasn’t at full strength. Robertson had missed the three previous games, but was expected back for the Buffalo game.
“He just didn’t feel like he could play 100 percent,” coach Mike Holmgren said. “As much as he wanted to play, he was very honest with me.”
Fuller had a solid game in relief, making eight tackles while seeing by far his most extensive playing time as a pro. Fuller almost came up with an interception in the second quarter, but Buffalo’s Peerless Price out-muscled him for the ball.
“Curtis played, bless his heart, and played well,” Holmgren said.
Other than starters Fuller and Reggie Tongue, the only other safety available was Kerry Joseph, who just joined the team last Tuesday.
Quiet follow-up: Shaun Alexander acts like he expects to rush for 266 yards every week, but anyone who follows the game knows that’s next to impossible.
So it wasn’t a complete surprise that Alexander was held to a relatively modest 93 yards on 25 carries Sunday. He also scored on a 1-yard touchdown.
“I don’t care about my stats really, as long as we win,” he said.
It was clear from the outset that Buffalo’s game plan was to contain Alexander, as the Bills put eight or nine men in the box for most of the game. That opened things up for the passing game, and quarterback Matt Hasselbeck responded with good numbers – 16 of 23 completions for 134 yards and a touchdown.
The 12 man: The Bills honored former quarterback Jim Kelly at halftime, and surprised everyone in attendance by retiring his No. 12 jersey. He’s the first Buffalo player to have his number retired.
“I never in a million years even thought about it because they don’t retire numbers here,” Kelly said. “It was amazement, No. 1, but it is hard to put into words because it’s something I never expected. It’s just all very surprising that it would happen.”
Kelly, who led the Bills to their only four Super Bowl appearances, was also inducted into the team’s Wall of Fame.
Robinson scores first TD: Seahawks rookie Koren Robinson showed off an impressive vertical leap in catching his first NFL touchdown pass, but he left his dancing shoes at home.
Following a 7-yard TD reception from Hasselbeck in the second quarter, Robinson started to do a touchdown dance but abruptly gave up.
“I’ve been choreographing for a long time, but I didn’t even get to do my dance,” Robinson said. “I just didn’t feel like it today.”
New duty: Hasselbeck’s job description added a title Sunday when he was used as the holder on field goals and extra points.
Hasselbeck assumed a similar role in Green Bay, but was Jeff Feagles’ backup for the first eight games of this season. Holmgren said he tried out Hasselbeck earlier this week when Feagles missed a practice session, and that he decided to give the job to his starting quarterback.
Seahawk killer: Buffalo wide receiver Peerless Price now has five career 100-yard games. Three of those have come against Seattle, including his 10-catch, 138-yard performance Sunday.
Quick slants: Robertson, running back Ricky Watters, tight end Russell Stewart, wide receiver James Williams, and offensive linemen Dennis Norman and Pork Chop Womack were the Seahawks’ inactives Sunday. … Defensive tackle John Randle played sparingly after missing last week’s game with a sore knee. Randle was in on just four plays during the first half, but saw more extensive playing time in the second half. … Return man Charlie Rogers made his first pass reception of the season Sunday. … The Seahawks held Buffalo to 69 rushing yards, marking the seventh time this season they have held their opponent below 100 yards in that category. … Bills running back Larry Centers set an NFL record for career receiving yards by a running back (6,093). … Wide receiver Fabien Bownes (concussion) and defensive end Lamar King (strained calf) were the only Seahawks to suffer anything other than minor injuries.
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