Seahawks’ Strong is a ramblin’ man

SEATTLE – Mack Strong has moves. Who would have thought?

Seattle’s powerful fullback knows his role – bulldozing a path for running back Shaun Alexander – but he had a couple of star turns himself in the Seahawks’ 21-10 victory over Arizona at Qwest Field on Sunday.

He scored his first touchdown in three years two plays into the fourth quarter, a quick-hitter for 3 yards up the middle behind center Robbie Tobeck and guard Chris Spencer. Surely the Cardinals anticipated the ball going to Alexander.

“Coach (Mike) Holmgren always says, every time he calls runs down in the red zone, he’s calling them to score – not to move the chains or get a first down,” Strong said. “I was shocked (to have his number called that close). That’s usually Shaun’s territory, but I didn’t have time to think about it.”

Strong’s big moment came on a second-quarter drive that would end in a missed field goal. Taking a handoff on second down at the Arizona 28, Strong burst up the middle and hurdled safety Robert Griffith en route to a 14-yard gain.

“I’m not ready for the Olympics, but I have been working on that move,” Strong laughed. “I’ve been hit in the knees enough times that I know it doesn’t feel too good, so if I can get over a guy and get a couple extra yards, now he knows I can do that. So I’ll have to come up with another move now.

“I was just grateful. It felt a lot better landing on my feet than on my head.”

‘Chop’ in the shop?

Seattle’s offensive line took a couple of hits in the game.

Tight end Itula Mili was wheeled off the field on a cart as the game ended with a knee injury suffered in the final three minutes – not the same knee that bothered him in the pre-season, according to Holmgren.

And guard Floyd “Pork Chop” Womack, who’s trying to fill the spot vacated by departed All-Pro Steve Hutchinson, came to the sidelines midway through the third quarter.

“He hurt his knee a little bit as well,” said Holmgren. “Pork Chop probably could have come back in the game in an emergency situation, so I’m hopeful.”

Womack’s spot was filled by second-year man Chris Spencer, who got his first extensive action as a Seahawk.

Kicking themselves

For the second straight week, placekicker Josh Brown had a field goal attempt blocked. After getting two swatted down by Detroit last week, Brown’s 30-yarder was deflected by Arizona’s Calvin Pace in the second quarter – though a muffed hold by Ryan Plackmeier seemed to have more to do with it.

“Ryan dropped the ball,” Holmgren said. “I do not want that every time we try a field goal that it’s the ‘Discovery Station’ as one of the adventures of all time. I don’t want that to happen and it’s going a little bit in that direction. We have got to fix that.”