Wallace wants to show he’s ready for prime time
Ladies and gentlemen, introducing Seneca Wallace.
Perhaps you’ve read or heard about Wallace, who is trying to nail down the Seattle Seahawks’ No. 2 quarterback job. Tonight, you’ll be able to see Wallace as the Seahawks visit New Orleans for a preseason opener at 5 at the Louisiana Superdome. In upcoming weeks, Wallace could get more TV time than Lee Iacocca in those Chrysler commercials.
Wallace, a third-year pro out of Iowa State, is in a battle with, well, himself for the backup position to Matt Hasselbeck. Seattle has the option of signing a veteran quarterback, but that would probably be unnecessary if Wallace, who hasn’t thrown a pass in a regular-season game, shines in the preseason.
Hasselbeck is expected to play the first quarter, depending on the number of plays. Wallace figures to handle the next two-plus quarters. Third-round draft pick David Greene might see time in the fourth quarter.
“It is an important time for (Wallace),” coach Mike Holmgren said. “He has practiced very, very well. Now he has to play.”
Coaches will monitor Wallace closely during the preseason. Holmgren has usually retained an experienced No. 2 quarterback, but he recalls one season in Green Bay with three young lads named Brett Favre, Mark Brunell and Ty Detmer.
“I had a one-year guy and two rookies,” Holmgren said. “If you ever met them or talked to them, they had a special maturity. Brett started every game, but he had to come out of a couple games.”
Wallace has completed 65 of 120 passes for 667 yards in preseason games the last two years.
“Just to bring in a veteran because he is a veteran, I wouldn’t do that anyway because he has to learn our system,” Holmgren said. “I am hoping this works and if that’s the way we go, then that’s the way we go. That decision won’t be made until late.”
Injury report
At least 11 Seahawks are expected to miss tonight’s game. The most prominent names on the injury list are safety Ken Hamlin (shoulder), defensive tackles Cedric Woodard (knee) and Rashad Moore (shoulder), wide receiver Alex Bannister (collarbone), running back Maurice Morris (hamstring) and linebackers D.D. Lewis (concussion) and Lofa Tatupu (hamstring).
Running back Shaun Alexander, who was back at practice earlier this week after a bout with a sore hamstring, should start, Holmgren said.
Area Saints
New Orleans has two players on its roster with ties to the Inland Northwest. Steve Gleason, a Gonzaga Prep and Washington State University product entering his sixth NFL season, is a special teams standout and backup safety. In the last three seasons, he has a team-high 62 special teams tackles and has blocked three punts.
Former University of Idaho Vandal Spencer Folau is a versatile offensive lineman for the Saints. He played in all 16 games last season, with two starts at right guard and one at right tackle.