KIRKLAND — Dropped passes might be the offense’s most visible frustration, but the Seattle Seahawks’ defense is not without sins.
When it comes to third-down conversions, Seattle’s defense has dropped the ball as well.
The Seahawks rank last in the league in that category, allowing opponents to convert 50 percent of their third-down opportunities. Over the past two weeks, Arizona and Cincinnati have converted 17 of 30 third downs — good for 56.7 percent.
“You’ve got to get off the field,” linebacker Leroy Hill said of Seattle’s third-down problems. “We’ve got a good offense, and we have to let them get back out there.”
The third-down deficiencies are particularly evident on running plays. Opposing teams have run for first downs on seven of eight third-down rushing plays. On third-and-3 or shorter, opposing teams are six of seven.
“We’ve got to be more stout inside,” linebacker Julian Peterson said. “We’ve been caught in our base defense on third downs, and that’s tough to do.”
After Brian Russell’s third quarter interception on a third-down play last week, the Bengals converted five of their final seven opportunities to make a game out of it.
The Seahawks know that kind of opposing production won’t result in many victories. So they’ve made it a point of emphasis during practices this week.
“It’s knowing the situation, the down and distance,” Peterson said.
Last season, the Seahawks allowed opponents to convert 36.5 percent of their third downs.
Ready to debut: Although it seems like Ben Obomanu has been around for awhile, Sunday’s game could mark his official NFL debut.
The preseason star spent most of his rookie season in 2006 on the practice squad, and even after being added to the active roster in January he didn’t suit up for either playoff game.
Obomanu was Seattle’s preseason leader in receptions, with eight, but he missed the first three regular-season games due to a hamstring injury. He returned to practice this week and should be active for Sunday’s game against the 49ers.
“It’s just nice to have him back,” coach Mike Holmgren said. “We were counting on him. He had a good camp and a good preseason. I was hopeful he could play early but then he got hurt so it’s good to have him back.”
Backup running back Maurice Morris, who missed Thursday’s practice to rest a sore hip, was back on the practice field Friday. Holmgren said he expects him to also be available for Sunday’s game. He is listed as probable on the injury report.
Linebacker Will Herring (knee) is listed as questionable, while tight end Ben Joppru (knee) and wide receiver D.J. Hackett (ankle) will not play.
D-Jack memories: One Seahawk who admits having a hard time adjusting to life after Darrell Jackson is running back Shaun Alexander.
Alexander bonded with Jackson when they were both rookies in 2000. Both were familiar with each other because of their Southeastern Conference affiliations — Alexander at Alabama, and Jackson at Florida — and they often joked about how Holmgren brought them to Seattle to get another Vince Lombardi Trophy.
“Coach Holmgren wanted to make a Super Bowl team like he did in Green Bay and with the 49ers, so he went and got me and D-Jack first,” Alexander said with a chuckle earlier this week. “That’s the kind of attitude we used to always take going into every game.
“This year’s just been weird for me because I don’t have my running mate to come and get things going (before games) like I used to.”
Jackson spent his first seven NFL seasons with the Seahawks before being traded to San Francisco in April. In return, Seattle got a fourth-round pick that was used on Georgia Tech offensive lineman Mansfield Wrotto.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
