What we learned after Seahawks’ victory

SAN DIEGO – Here are five things we learned during Seattle’s 31-10 exhibition opening win over the Chargers here Thursday night:

1Stephen Williams could become a contributing receiver for the Seahawks this season.

The loss of Percy Harvin for 3-4 months opens up a roster spot, and likely contributing role, for someone who might otherwise have been on the outside looking in. Williams, a fourth-year pro who started three games for Arizona in 2010 but missed last year with an Achilles injury, looks like he’s ready to fill that void, making catches of two deep Tarvaris Jackson passes of 41 and 42 yards, to rank as the offensive highlight of the night.

2Benson Mayowa might really make the team.

Mayowa, who played at Idaho, is quickly becoming the true Cinderella story of this camp, having been initially spotted by Seattle at a regional combine and then signed after a tryout at the team’s rookie minicamp in May. The 6-3, 252-pounder has shown the kind of speed and moves off the edge that the Seahawks like, and because of the injury status of some of the veteran players at defensive end, Mayowa might really find his way onto the roster.

3The Seahawks’ return game may be OK.

Seattle expected Harvin to handle kickoff returns. That means Seattle will spend the exhibition season trying out alternatives. Walter Thurmond (46 yards) and Will Blackmon (19) each had good punt returns, as did free-agent rookie Perez Ashford (two for 29).

4Jackson can still play.

Okay, so you’d expect a guy who has made 34 starts to be able to do some damage against a defense filled with deep reserves. Still, Jackson hadn’t really been in a game of any sort since the end of the 2011 season. He hit on 8 of 9 passes, led three straight touchdown drives and appeared to take a big step toward securing the backup job behind Russell Wilson.

5It’s still too early to worry about the starting offense. If there was any aspect of the game that elicited angst among the faithful, it was seeing the No. 1 offense sputter a bit in its two series, punting on both possessions.

Keep in mind, though, that four starters essentially didn’t play – tailback Marshawn Lynch (handful of plays but didn’t get a carry) and center Max Unger, tight end Zach Miller and wide reciever Sidney Rice, all out with injuries.