Hawks’ Opening Act Flops Offense, Defense Struggle As Seattle Falls To Chargers

Maybe this one should have been easy to forecast.

It was, after all, the Seattle Seahawks opening an NFL season against an AFC West Division foe.

In following with Seahawks’ tradition, it was another loss.

Seattle dropped to 1-8 against AFC West foes in season openers as San Diego battered the Hawks 29-7 behind John Carney’s five field goals as 58,780 watched on a cloudless Sunday afternoon at Jack Murphy Stadium.

Seattle hasn’t won an opener against an AFC West opponent since 1988. It’s no coincidence that the ‘88 season marked the last year the Hawks qualified for the playoffs. Only two teams, Arizona and Tampa Bay, have longer playoff dry spells. Not the kind of company the Seahawks are hoping to keep.

Predictably, the reviews weren’t good.

“I’d start by saying they totally kicked our rear ends,” said coach Dennis Erickson, who wasn’t immune to the punishment. He banged up his knee in the first half when he was run into by a Chargers receiver heading out of bounds.

“It’s embarrassing,” Hawks defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy said. “It’s embarrassing to the whole organization.”

Running back Chris Warren, held to 50 yards, wasn’t in the mood to comment.

“Get out of the way,” he said to a gaggle of reporters impeding his rush to his locker, “and let us get dressed.”

The Seahawks were undressed on the field.

Seattle committed many of the same sins that have haunted the team in recent years - a lifeless offense, a sackless defense and, of course, the main problem - turnovers. They had four of them, three leading to San Diego’s final 13 points.

Three of the miscues came in rapid-fire fashion. Trailing 16-7 early in the third period, Seattle had moved into San Diego territory when quarterback Rick Mirer’s pass was pilfered by the Chargers’ Terrance Shaw. Intended for Joey Galloway, Mirer’s pass strayed inside - away from Galloway and into Shaw’s eager hands.

“There was some pressure on Rick and I don’t think he got to finish his throw,” offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski said. “The ball came off his hand funny.”

That miscue led to Carney’s 50-yard field goal and a 19-7 Chargers lead.

On the kickoff, Steve Broussard fumbled and San Diego recovered at the Hawks 16. The football was dislodged from Broussard by his own teammate, who was trying to throw a block.

Five plays later, Leonard Russell skipped into the end zone from 6 yards out and San Diego led 26-7.

On the Hawks’ next play from scrimmage, Mirer’s bullet pass never arrived at the intended target. Linebacker Glen Young intercepted - perhaps more accurately, he was standing in the way of the whistling football - and returned the ball to the Hawks 12.

Carney added his final three-pointer and the Chargers lead swelled to 29-7 with 10:30 left in the fourth quarter.

“It wasn’t like the score was 50-35,” Chargers receiver Tony Martin said. “Our defense held them to seven points and our offense keyed on their mistakes.”

Operating behind a makeshift line due to injuries in the preseason, San Diego still was able to rush for 185 yards, 4.9 per tote. Quarterback Stan Humphries, who efficiently passed for 195 yards and a touchdown, was pressured on a handful of plays, but never sacked. Seattle registered only 28 sacks last season.

“I personally think they out-toughed us,” Hawks defensive end Michael Sinclair said.

Seattle showed early promise. The Hawks’ first drive moved to San Diego’s 39 before a drive-stalling Warren fumble. Seattle recovered, but couldn’t overcome a second-and-16.

San Diego opened the scoring with a 6-minute drive that covered 80 yards. Humphries tossed three key completions to tight end Shannon Mitchell and another to tight end Alfred Pupunu, setting up a 2-yard TD pass to Tony Martin.

Seattle responded with Mirer capping an impressive drive with a 6-yard keeper to knot the score at 7.

From there, the Hawk highlights were scarce, though several drives moved into Chargers territory before sputtering to an end. Carney hit two field goals in the final 1:26 of the first half to give the Chargers a 13-7 lead.

“You’re just trying to find something that can get you first downs because our defense was on the field forever,” Erickson said. “When you turn it over like that you have no chance.”

Especially, in Seattle’s case, against an AFC West opponent.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color Photo Graphic: Hawks 7, Chargers 29