Tall order for Hawks

KIRKLAND, Wash. – When Mike Holmgren was a child growing up in the Bay Area, he saw plenty of jump-ball passes thrown the way of R.C. “Alley Oop” Owens, a 6-foot-3 receiver for the San Francisco 49ers. So when he watched film of the New York Giants’ overtime victory at Philadelphia on Sunday, he did it with a sense of déjÀ vu.

The final play of that game saw the Giants’ 6-5 receiver, Plaxico Burress, haul in an Eli Manning pass while 5-10 cornerback Sheldon Brown watched helplessly from a few inches below.

“You can do that once in a while,” Holmgren said this week. “Just throw it up there (and) go get it.”

The Seahawks coach hopes not to see any flashbacks this weekend, when the Giants’ receiving corps of Burress, 6-3 Amani Toomer and 6-5 tight end Jeremy Shockey goes up against a Seattle secondary that doesn’t quite measure up.

While safeties Ken Hamlin (6-2) and Michael Boulware (6-3) have some size, the Seahawks’ top three cornerbacks are all 5-11.

“You can’t even let him get in position to do that,” said cornerback Kelly Herndon, referring to Burress’ game-winning touchdown reception. “You’ve just got to make sure you’re in good position so you can get physical and knock the ball out somehow.

“You can’t get in position where he can use his size. Every DB has played against a big guy like that, so we all know what you have to do.”

Seattle’s cornerbacks proved that last Sunday while facing a pair of big receivers in Arizona’s Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin. The sub-6-foot trio of Herndon, Marcus Trufant and Kelly Jennings held its own despite giving up a few inches.

“They’re playing very well,” Boulware said. “They’re being very disciplined – both in their technique and their assignments – and they’re communicating well out there.”

Notes

Running back Shaun Alexander (foot) missed his second consecutive day of practices but said that he’ll practice today and play Sunday. “The game’s too big,” he said. “No doubt at all” that he’ll play against the Giants. Alexander would not say if the foot was bruised or sprained. … The Giants’ Burress was added to the injury report because of a back injury, but he’s listed as probable for Sunday’s game. … Shockey (ankle) returned to practice and should be available for the game.