KIRKLAND — Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck threw three touchdown passes, running back Shaun Alexander recorded his second 100-yard game of the season, and safety Deon Grant had an interception and fumble recovery in Sunday’s win over Cincinnati.
So which one of them was the Seattle Seahawks player who was honored by the NFC this week?
D) None of the above.
Lance Laury was named the NFC’s special teams player of the week Wednesday after forcing a fumble on the Seahawks’ final kickoff of Sunday’s game. The second-year player from South Carolina is the first Seattle player to receive that honor since kicker Josh Brown got it in Week 12 of last season.
“I was very excited,” Laury said. “I was like, ‘Me? An award?’ “I’m just glad I could win it and bring it back to Seattle, to my teammates.”
Laury was one of the last players to make the Seahawks’ roster. The team was so enthralled with his potential as a special teamer that it decided to keep seven linebackers, instead of the usual six.
“Those backup linebackers, the non-starting linebackers, must be outstanding special teams players,” coach Mike Holmgren said on Wednesday. “They have to be because of the roster spot.
“In the preseason, they were just OK; I thought those guys were just OK. They had to come through and play better. And I will say this: once the season started, (Laury) has been very good — really good.”
Seattle’s Grant was an honorable mention for the NFC’s defensive-player-of-the-week honors, which went to Dallas cornerback Anthony Henry.
Back in action: The Seahawks welcomed three players back to the practice field on Wednesday.
Running back Maurice Morris (hip), wide receiver Ben Obomanu (hamstring) and linebacker Kevin Bentley (back) returned to action and are expected to be available for Sunday’s game against San Francisco.
Alexander also took full participation in the practice despite a cracked bone in his left wrist that was discovered earlier this week. Holmgren admitted Wednesday that Alexander’s cast has affected him when pass blocking.
“A couple times in the (Arizona) game he didn’t use his cast hand,” the coach said. “He just did (with one arm), and he got beat.”
Holmgren added that the team will emphasize Alexander’s use of both arms in pass drills this week.
The only players still sidelined are wide receiver D.J. Hackett and tight end Ben Joppru, who are both out with ankle injuries.
Holmgren initially said that Hackett would be out four to six weeks after suffering a high ankle sprain in the Sept. 9 season opener. On Wednesday, the coach said that Hackett’s return would likely be sometime around the Oct. 28 bye week.
Snappy dresser: San Francisco coach Mike Nolan was recently named No. 11 on Esquire’s list of best-dressed men. He’s one of only two head coaches — Jacksonville’s Jack Del Rio is the other — who prefer to wear suits and ties on game days.
“I saw where (New England) quarterback Tom Brady was No. 1” on Esquire’s list, Nolan said, “but I thought maybe it was the women that he was wearing rather than the clothing.”
Nolan had to make a request to the NFL to be able wear formal attire on game days. He was allowed to do it twice last year, and has been given clearance to wear ties in all eight of the 49ers’ home games this season.
Local connections: Former Seahawks Darrell Jackson and Trent Dilfer aren’t the only San Francisco players with ties to this state.
Rookie wide receiver Jason Hill broke the Washington State University record for career touchdown receptions (32) and is second in Cougars history in career receptions (148). Because of a pulled hamstring, Hill is not expected to play against the Seahawks on Sunday.
Backup safety Dashon Goldson is also a rookie, having played at the University of Washington with Seahawks safety C.J. Wallace.
Quick slants: Like Seattle’s Alexander, the 49ers have a star running back with an extra pad. Frank Gore is wearing it to protect an injured hand, although Nolan downplayed the injury Wednesday. “His hand is fine,” the 49ers coach said. …. San Francisco practiced without three starters on Wednesday: tight end Vernon Davis (knee), guard Larry Allen (team decision) and defensive lineman Bryant Young (team decision). Davis will not play on Sunday.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
