KIRKLAND – Last week, Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren called Joe Tafoya one of the best special teams players in the NFL.
This week, Tafoya might have to prove his worth as a defensive end.
Starter Bryce Fisher has a sore foot that first flared up in last Sunday’s win over the New York Giants, and his status is questionable for Monday’s game at Philadelphia.
“He is important to us, so I am hopeful it is not too bad,” Holmgren said of Fisher, who has 71/2 sacks this season. “(The injury) is hindering his movement now.”
Fisher was wearing a boot on his left foot Wednesday and did not take part in practice.
If he can’t play, Tafoya would probably make his second NFL start – and his first since Dec. 2002.
“For five years I’ve been waiting for an opportunity to play,” said Tafoya, a five-year NFL veteran who was released by three different teams during the 2004 season. “Unfortunately, it could come because somebody gets hurt. But in this game, there are injuries. You have to prepare the same every week and be ready.”
Tafoya has played in 46 games during his NFL career, all with the Seahawks and Chicago Bears. Last year, he was cut by Chicago, Arizona and Atlanta but never gave up on himself.
“I was always unsure,” he admitted Wednesday. “But I was not going to give up. I still have it in me to play football, and I still want to play.”
Tafoya has rotated with Fisher and Grant Wistrom this year, registering eight tackles at defensive end while being a key contributor on special teams. But if Fisher can’t play Monday, Tafoya’s role will be that much more important.
“It’s been kind of a theme for us this year,” Tafoya said, “starter goes down, and the next guy has to step up and not have any slack.”
To add depth behind Wistrom and Tafoya, the Seahawks will probably move veteran defensive tackle Rodney Bailey to end this week.
Jackson return in limbo: While Holmgren said earlier this week that he expected Darrell Jackson to return from a knee injury in time for the Dec. 11 game against San Francisco, the wide receiver’s status is still up in the air.
“If he’s on the field (for practices this week,) it will be real late – either Friday or Saturday,” Holmgren said. “… I’m hoping (Jackson will be available for the San Francisco game). But we’ll see. We’ll see how this week goes.”
Originally, Jackson was expected to miss four to six weeks following Oct. 12 knee surgery. That was seven weeks ago, and yet Holmgren is not entirely certain why Jackson’s return has been delayed.
“He hasn’t had any jarring things to his leg,” Holmgren said. “And we just have to see how the leg adapts to that, what happens. We don’t know yet. But this is the week we want to test it out a little bit.”
November’s best: Running back Shaun Alexander will be named the NFC offensive player of the month today.
Alexander had 563 rushing yards and eight touchdowns in four November games. He went over 100 yards in each of those contests, also scoring at least one touchdown per week.
In Seattle’s first 11 games, Alexander has eight 100-yard games and has gone without a touchdown just twice. He currently leads the NFL in both rushing yards (1,339) and touchdowns (20).
Easy finish? Of the 19 NFL teams still battling for playoff spots, the Seahawks have the third-easiest remaining schedule, and the easiest among NFC teams.
Seattle faces five teams with a combined 23-32 record, and four of those teams have losing records. Not including the 11-0 Indianapolis Colts, Seattle’s remaining opponents are just 12-32.
Chicago, which trails the Seahawks by one game in the race for the best record in the NFC, has a remaining schedule that includes five opponents with a combined 24-31 record. But three of those teams – 7-4 Pittsburgh, 7-4 Atlanta and 6-5 Minnesota – have winning records.
The easiest remaining schedule belongs to AFC East leader New England, which faces five teams with a combined 19-36 record. Jacksonville is second, with a 21-34 record among its remaining opponents.
Like Seattle, the Jaguars include 11-0 Indianapolis among their remaining five opponents.
Holmgren admits mistake: On Wednesday, Holmgren expressed regret for telling the media about a phone conversation he had with league officials earlier in the week.
“I should have (told reporters), ‘I’ve talked to the league, but that’s confidential. Let’s move on,’” he said during his Wednesday press conference.
“Everyone saw the game. Everyone saw the plays. Everyone knows what we’re talking about. But now, because of the potential fine, my kids won’t get Christmas stockings.”
The NFL reportedly has considered fining Holmgren for disclosing that the league apologized for an officiating mistake in Sunday’s win over the New York Giants. The league released a statement earlier this week denying that it admitted having made mistakes on both New York touchdowns.
Quick slants: Linebacker D.D. Lewis (knee) and defensive tackle Chartric Darby (knee) did not practice Wednesday, but both are expected to play against the Eagles. … Defensive tackle Marcus Tubbs (calf) went through a full practice and is also expected to play after missing the past three games. … The Seahawks signed cornerback Brandon Haw to their practice squad and released wide receiver Richard Smith. … Sean Landeta, whom the Eagles signed this week, is vaguely familiar with Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. The 43-year-old punter played with Hasselbeck’s father, Don, during his rookie year with the New York Giants in 1985.
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