SEATTLE – The first sign that Ken Hamlin was back to his regular self came on the first drive of the game, when the Seattle Seahawks’ hard-hitting safety delivered a forearm blow after the whistle and followed that up with a little trash talk to a Dallas Cowboys offensive lineman.
It was the kind of play Seahawks fans have come to expect from Hamlin over the years.
As Saturday’s game wore on, the 25-year-old shook off the rust with one tackle in his first game since suffering head injuries in an Oct. 17 incident outside a bar in Pioneer Square.
“It felt good,” Hamlin said. “No effects. I was basically just banging around.”
Hamlin’s biggest hit came midway through the first quarter, when he put his head down and helped tackle Dallas receiver Terry Glenn after a 20-yard reception. A game official helped up Hamlin, who did not show any signs of being affected by the hit.
“I’ve been back,” Hamlin said, referring to training camp and minicamp practices. “I’m taking training camp step by step. I’ve been doing that every year. I just try to get better every day.”
Stagnant competition: The much-publicized battle between cornerback Kelly Herndon and Kelly Jennings had no clear winner Saturday, when both players struggled.
Herndon played on two series and was picked on often, giving up four receptions for 63 yards.
Jennings didn’t fare much better. The first four times Dallas threw his way, the passes were caught for a total of 79 yards.
“I can see what I need to work on now,” the rookie from the University of Miami said. “I can go into training camp now with things to work on.”
Hutch who? Chris Spencer did an admirable job filling in for injured left guard Floyd Womack, who is the man expected to fill in for Steve Hutchinson this season.
Spencer, who mostly played center at the University of Mississippi, had to start at left guard Saturday because Womack suffered a minor hamstring injury at practice last week.
A first-round pick in the 2005 draft, Spencer held his own while playing guard for the entire first half. Spencer moved to right guard for the third quarter and did not see any time at center.
“I didn’t know what was going to happen,” Spencer said. “I was just looking forward to seeing a lot of playing time, and I did.”
Staying behind: Several prominent Seahawks stayed in Cheney to rehab injuries.
Among them were Womack (hamstring), wide receiver Darrell Jackson (knee), cornerback Jordan Babineaux (shoulder), safety Michael Boulware (knee), defensive linemen Grant Wistrom (shoulder), Rocky Bernard (ankle), Marcus Tubbs (Achilles) and Joe Tafoya (shoulder).
Linebacker Isaiah Kacyvenski (quadriceps) was at the game but not in uniform.
The Cowboys played without wide receiver Terrell Owens (hamstring) and quarterback Drew Bledsoe (rest).
Quick slants: The Seahawks raised an “NFC champions” banner in the rafters before the game. … Defensive lineman Chris Cooper, who is a natural end but has played mostly tackle at training camp, had a team-high six tackles.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
