Matt Hasselbeck "Preparing Himself to Start"

by John Morgan on Oct 8, 2009 2:53 PM PDT

While coach Jim Mora said Wednesday there's no promises he will play, Hasselbeck finished practice for the second consecutive day and is preparing himself to start.

Participating in consecutive practices is a big hurdle. That cleared, Seattle can regain playing for this season. That is a relief, because I hate giving up so early, but Seattle is so far from a contender with Wallace starting, it should be in the XFL. I do not trust team-issued injury reports anymore and with Hasselbeck, a couple weeks of no news had me thinking bad news.

There is a chance Seattle gets bad-Hasselbeck. Hasselbeck is bad when he is too bold or too cautious. Too-bold Matt throws picks. Too-cautious Matt takes sacks. Unlike many of Hasselbeck's former injuries, his rib fracture hopefully will not trigger bad-Hasselbeck. He will trust his receivers and not accept sacks not yet accomplished.

Brian Burke pegs Seattle at about one in three of winning this Sunday. If Hasselbeck is back and in good shape, I think Seattle should be favored and could turn the game lopsided. Making the playoffs seems a distant goal now and true contention almost unattainable, but every win is fun. The sixteen game season makes every loss crushing and every win glorious. For me it does, anyway.

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On the radio this morning, Danny O'Neil said that he felt that if we weren't 1-3 that he believes Hasselbeck

would wait another week. The other guest on the show agreed.

I’m torn over the decision myself. I can’t stand watching Seneca, but I have to believe 70% Hasselbeck is better than Seneca. If the chance of reinjury or aggravating the injury is low I guess I’m fine, but I don’t know if it’s going to be painful for Hasselbeck to the point that he throws funny or not. If that’s the case, I’d say just wait a week (or until the bye is over).

by LantermanC on Oct 8, 2009 2:56 PM PDT reply actions

Awesome

I was just coming here to see if you had any updates on Hasselbeck and you just posted one. I hope he plays, I really want the Seahawks to win. And I agree with the last sentence of your post, i’m also just like that. Bad Hasselbeck is better than good Wallace.

by Pessimistic Optimist on Oct 8, 2009 2:58 PM PDT reply actions

Man, this sounds like a disaster waiting to happen...

"I wish the Seahawks were back in the AFCW so we didn’t have to face Willis and Gore twice a year."

by Fearless Frog on Oct 8, 2009 2:58 PM PDT reply actions

I'm amazed the word 'horrible' didn't make it into that sentence.

;)

I think if Hass can play and play smart, we can win. Jacksonville is among the worst in the NFL vs. the pass.

Early prospect watch: RB C.J. Spiller, QB Jevan Snead, OT Ciron Black, DT Gerald McCoy, S Eric Berry, DT Ndamukong Suh, CB Ras-I Dowling 6'2, 200, RB Jonathan Dwyer

by Misfit74 on Oct 8, 2009 3:01 PM PDT up reply actions

Brian Russell up to his old shenanigans again?

"I wish the Seahawks were back in the AFCW so we didn’t have to face Willis and Gore twice a year."

by Fearless Frog on Oct 8, 2009 3:12 PM PDT up reply actions

Even from the bench, Brian Russell's shegritigans are leaving their mark.

by B.B.Finnegan on Oct 8, 2009 4:05 PM PDT up reply actions

Good news.

However, I’m still worried, Hasselbeck returning from injury and playing like crap in 2008 is still too fresh in my mind.

by MFAN on Oct 8, 2009 3:02 PM PDT reply actions

Since the Jags can not rush the passer, this might be a decent game for

Matt to come back.

by redwolf75 on Oct 8, 2009 3:04 PM PDT reply actions

Biggest game of the season?

I know it’s only week 5, but still. This game is going to do a lot to determine what direction this team goes in for the rest of the season.

If they win, they’re 2-3 and still have the chance to win the division if they can manage to go 7-4 in their last 11. It’ll be a tall order to fill, but not unrealistic.

If they lose, they’re 1-4 with a 1-2 home record, and 3rd in the division. They will have to go 8-3, probably having to beat San Francisco at home and both against Arizona, to realistically have a shot at the postseason.

by Hmph on Oct 8, 2009 3:15 PM PDT reply actions

I kind of think we have to beat San Fran at home no matter what.

Injuries aside, this season hasn’t been horrible.
We were supposed to win the STL game.
We were supposed to lose the Indy game.

SF and Chicago were coin flips, and we lost both coin flips. We just need to win a few of these tossups, starting with this Jacksonville game.

by LantermanC on Oct 8, 2009 3:24 PM PDT up reply actions

Good perspective

I really think we win this game. I think the Jags are a better team facing a desperate team with a favorable matchup. They’re inconsistent. They have faced that issue several of the past few years. They lay eggs and then look dominant. They don’t rush the passer well, they don’t defend the pass well.

I respect their passing game, though. It’s the running game that makes them go, but I respect their passing game. But we don’t rely on turnovers anyway, their 3rd down percentage isn’t frightening, and with their sub-par pass defense and rush we could be in the driver’s seat to dictate how the game is played anyway.

They run with less variance than most teams. Not a power running team, just a north-south, ball control game of attrition. A lot of runs up the gut. They’ll win that matchup, but we are capable of keeping it from deciding the game. We’re desperate and at home. They’re young on defense and make mistakes. We can take this one.

by jacobstevens on Oct 8, 2009 3:35 PM PDT up reply actions

So looking through Brian Burke's article...

I noticed that he is giving us the same chances (35%) to beat Jacksonville as St. Louis to beat MINNESOTA… are you kidding me?!

Honestly, I like our chances in the passing game with Seneca or Matt starting. The Jags have zip for pass rush and the worst pass D in the league. Unfortunately, they have MJD, Gerrard and Sims-Walker; which may give our defense some major issues.

I’m remaining hopeful for this week.

by wyte_lightning on Oct 8, 2009 3:31 PM PDT reply actions

Denver also has a 75% chance of beating NE.

I know they’re at home, but 75%? That seems kind of high.

by LantermanC on Oct 8, 2009 3:58 PM PDT up reply actions

I totally expect Denver to win.

I still also expect Denver to fade and not be as good. Get exposed. I thought Dallas would get them. But this one is theirs.

by jacobstevens on Oct 8, 2009 4:03 PM PDT up reply actions

At least it could be a fun-to-watch

shootout. However frustrating. Lots o’ highlights.

And all the land was in ruin, and burnination had forsaken the countryside.

by Cheddar28 on Oct 9, 2009 1:01 AM PDT up reply actions

we can defend the run

and that’s about it, which is what they rely on. If Hass is in I like our chances.

by Hancock.Brett on Oct 8, 2009 3:53 PM PDT reply actions

Can we?

We’re giving up 121 yards or so a game. We got owned by San Francisco in the run game and no I don’t want to take out the two big run plays. We also got run on at key times by Chicago and Indy. And they chose to go with the pass because we couldn’t stop it. Being better at defending the run because you’re so bad at defending the pass doesn’t make you good against the run.

by ASeahawkfan on Oct 8, 2009 4:00 PM PDT up reply actions

Just like the last few years

we are near the top of the league in stuffing the run. Like most of the past few years, we also are below average in preventing the few runs that do get to the second level from breaking big.

by jacobstevens on Oct 8, 2009 4:04 PM PDT up reply actions

"we can defend the run"

Not really, no.

"I wish the Seahawks were back in the AFCW so we didn’t have to face Willis and Gore twice a year."

by Fearless Frog on Oct 8, 2009 4:04 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah we can.

As long as Mebane is healthy.

Seattle is cursed. For life.

by SSreporters on Oct 8, 2009 4:04 PM PDT up reply actions

True.

But Cole is supposed to be our alleged run-stuffer and he was exposed big time against SF.

"I wish the Seahawks were back in the AFCW so we didn’t have to face Willis and Gore twice a year."

by Fearless Frog on Oct 8, 2009 4:28 PM PDT up reply actions

There is a huge dropoff

From Mebane and Cole.

Plus Canadians aren’t that violent.

Seattle is cursed. For life.

by SSreporters on Oct 8, 2009 4:31 PM PDT up reply actions

Mebane to Cole it should say

Seattle is cursed. For life.

by SSreporters on Oct 8, 2009 4:32 PM PDT up reply actions

cole's fault?

I think that was more of a gap assignment error and lack of experience with the LB personnel we had in that game.

I ROCK out with my HAWK out, therefore I am....

by durteehawk on Oct 8, 2009 4:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Safeties Too!!!

I ROCK out with my HAWK out, therefore I am....

by durteehawk on Oct 8, 2009 4:53 PM PDT up reply actions

Over the course of the game, he lost his matchup consistently.

by jacobstevens on Oct 8, 2009 4:54 PM PDT up reply actions

And Patrick Kerney

At least on the 2nd run.

Sam Bradford, future Seattle Seahawk.

by Carl Shinyama on Oct 8, 2009 9:01 PM PDT up reply actions

Tbh

I’m super bumbed that Bryant couldn’t step it up against San Fran. Hoped for big things from that big guy.

And all the land was in ruin, and burnination had forsaken the countryside.

by Cheddar28 on Oct 9, 2009 1:04 AM PDT up reply actions

Having him on the inactive list every other week isn't doing anything for his development.

"I wish the Seahawks were back in the AFCW so we didn’t have to face Willis and Gore twice a year."

by Fearless Frog on Oct 9, 2009 1:13 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm really looking forward to seeing Tapp line up against Monroe.

D’Brickashaw Redux.

by dlinsley on Oct 8, 2009 3:54 PM PDT reply actions

Oh, and let's hope Red is active this week. He's looking pretty mean this year.

by dlinsley on Oct 8, 2009 4:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Against Jacksonville

Red will be active. More experience for Big Red. I hope they start him against some pass teams too. The fast attack pass defensive line approach doesn’t appear to be working. We don’t have Osi, Justin Tuck, and Strahan or any other premier pass rushers.

by ASeahawkfan on Oct 8, 2009 4:14 PM PDT up reply actions

Red and Rankin

I definitely want to see more of big red.

I also want to see if Rankin ever gets brought up to the 53. I want to see him play. From a Dawk to a Hawk, well raiders we in there too, but you get the drift…

I ROCK out with my HAWK out, therefore I am....

by durteehawk on Oct 8, 2009 4:55 PM PDT up reply actions

correction:

From a Dawg to a Hawk

I ROCK out with my HAWK out, therefore I am....

by durteehawk on Oct 8, 2009 4:56 PM PDT up reply actions

When Hass threw back-to-back game ending picks against Arizona and Washington

I was in a fiery rage. That made me consider Hasselbeck’s future and whether or not we’d draft a QB next season.

I hope he does not lay an egg this weekend.

He can’t be worse than Seneca. Let’s go with that.

Seattle is cursed. For life.

by SSreporters on Oct 8, 2009 4:09 PM PDT reply actions

Hass at least knows where John Carlson is.

NEEDS MORE FREEDOM!

by Scruffy Lefty on Oct 8, 2009 4:16 PM PDT up reply actions

So did Seneca

But then his hatred for Carlson set in this season.

At least Hass knows Housh can catch more than 5 yard hook routes.

Seattle is cursed. For life.

by SSreporters on Oct 8, 2009 4:18 PM PDT up reply actions

Exactly. Free Carlson!

"Why is it every time I need to get somewhere, we get waylaid by jackassery?" - Dr. Venture

by Eegah on Oct 8, 2009 4:33 PM PDT up reply actions

We win because

1) Lousy Jax pass rush means maybe John Carlson gets to play catch this week.
2) Having Josh Wilson back helps too (run defense, coverage, and pass rush all benefit).
3) Another week’s worth of mending for Mebane and Lofa means stronger run D.
4) Even if Hass can’t throw long, neither could Seneca, and at least we have the benefit of Hasselbeck’s excellent recognition.

I’m optimistic.

by dagraham on Oct 8, 2009 4:11 PM PDT reply actions

I don't want him to throw long this week

I want some ball control.

by jacobstevens on Oct 8, 2009 4:16 PM PDT up reply actions

in the Chicago game

Wallace missed about 3-4 wideopen passes(one for a touchdown to Burly) that even Hasselbeck with a bum back from last year makes. Hass spreads the ball around with the best of them.

by Hancock.Brett on Oct 9, 2009 9:56 AM PDT reply actions

Hass should sit

I thought he would sit till after the Bye. He should take at least 1 more week to get his free range back. No use wasting him on this game, I think the Jags are weak on the pass rush so Seneca will have more time instead of running for his life like he has been for the the last couple of games. Play some good D and we can win this under Seneca and give Hass some more time.
I dont mean free range chickens

yea dude

by dirtyktm on Oct 10, 2009 3:24 AM PDT reply actions

The problem is that this game is crucial.

1-3 teams only have a 16% chance of making the playoffs. We need to go into our bye week at 3-3 to have a realistic chance at the postseason.

by thebyron on Oct 10, 2009 9:08 AM PDT up reply actions

Yeah, if we go into the buy with only one or two wins

It doesn’t matter if Matt is banged up or not. We’re not going to be able to contend for the division and we’re probably going to want to start rebuilding.

""I wanted to be a quarterback, but I got hungry."
-LG Rob Sims

by ninjasocks on Oct 10, 2009 11:57 AM PDT up reply actions