Wallace, team shine
NEW ORLEANS – Not that anyone should remember, but for those who track such things, the Seattle Seahawks’ performance Friday night was their most impressive in an exhibition opener under coach Mike Holmgren.
What will this mean when the games count? Probably little. But for a team looking to improve in key areas, the Seahawks emerged with reason for optimism.
Their 34-15 victory over the New Orleans Saints included strong play by the starting defensive line and backup quarterback Seneca Wallace.
“It was a good start,” coach Mike Holmgren said. “I asked them to … play with great effort and emotion, and I think they did that.
“Two, I asked them to be disciplined and not make mistakes, and we have some work to do there. But it’s the first preseason game and it’s kind of expected. I really was pleased with the effort.”
Seattle’s first-team defense held its ground when Marcus Tubbs and Chuck Darby were the tackles. The unit forced and recovered a fumble on the Saints’ third offensive play. The first-team offense scored on its second play.
Matt Hasselbeck found Bobby Engram matched against a linebacker, resulting in a 13-yard touchdown. The play marked Seattle’s first pass in a game since Engram and Hasselbeck couldn’t quite connect during the final moments of Seattle’s 27-20 playoff loss last season.
“It was nice to start out in the red zone like that,” Hasselbeck said, “but we weren’t as crisp as we need to be.
“It was probably good. Now the coaches can get on us and we can really pay more attention to detail and not make as many mistakes.”
Hasselbeck completed 6 of 10 passes for 40 yards in one quarter of work. He tossed one touchdown pass and no interceptions on his way to a 102.1 rating.
Wallace was the star for Seattle, strengthening his position as the No. 2 quarterback. Holmgren had made it clear before the game that Seattle might need to sign a veteran backup if the offense went “haywire” with Wallace at the controls.
The third-year pro from Iowa State completed 12 of 20 passes for 137 yards. He threw one touchdown pass and ran for a 24-yard score.
Another potential scoring pass slipped through the grasp of receiver D.J. Hackett in the end zone. Wallace led four scoring drives in all, producing 20 consecutive points from midway through the second quarter to midway through the third.
“I’ve said it from Day One: I think that (Wallace) is a good passer and he is really a fine passer,” Holmgren said. “That gets overlooked because he is quick and he can run; his touchdown run was really something. He threw some very, very good passes. I was happy for him.”
Wallace threw the deep ball with accuracy and stretched the Saints’ defense when forced to run.
His first-half highlights included the 24-yard touchdown run and consecutive passes of 33 and 28 yards, the latter strike finding Jerome Pathon for a touchdown. Hackett caught the 33-yarder, slipping past backup cornerback Jason Craft. Hackett has caught the Seahawks’ attention as a deep threat, but he must also show consistency to earn a spot in the rotation.
“(Hackett) has been really good with the go routes,” Wallace said, “and I knew when I had him out there I would have a shot.”
Seattle’s first-team defense was effective when Tubbs and Darby were on the field. But with Rocky Bernard and Craig Terrill in their place, Saints running back Deuce McAllister found ample running room.
“We rotated the big guys inside and they gashed us pretty good the second time they had the ball,” Holmgren said.
Darby used his speed to great effect against the Saints’ massive interior line. He helped force a McAllister fumble on the Saints’ first possession by splitting a double-team block to disrupt the play. Middle linebacker Niko Koutouvides forced the fumble. Strong safety Michael Boulware recovered at the Saints’ 18-yard line.
Along with Kerry Carter, who carried 10 times for 58 yards, they helped Seattle build a 216-101 yardage advantage on the ground.
Starter Shaun Alexander carried three times for 18 yards.
Ahead by a 24-3 score at the half, and with a 229-86 edge in total yardage, Holmgren handed off the headset and play-calling duties to offensive coordinator Gil Haskell. Wallace seemed unaffected.
“I wanted to come out, get my first completion and keep it rolling and keep pressing the tempo,” Wallace said. “(Former quarterback) Warren Moon said something to me a couple days ago. He was just like, ‘Hey man, there is no pressure. You just keep doing the same thing you did out in practice and camp, and just carry it over to the game.’ “