DareDevil
09-10-2007, 05:57 AM
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It started out slowly for both teams, a typical opener, but the Seahawks picked up a head of steam as the game progressed.
Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck started off slowly and sharpened as the game progressed, completing 17-of-24 passes for 222 yards, including a 34-yard touchdown pass to Mo Morris that virtually put the game away. Running back Shaun Alexander, always finding the Bucs defense tough, responded by rushing 27 times for 105 yards, plus a 1-yard touchdown.
Playing against the Tampa-2 defense that squeezes the wide receivers and forces a lot underneath, Hasselbeck showed great patience at taking what was available. Bobby Engram nabbed 3 passes coming out of the slot, Mack Strong added 3 more and Alexander 2. Only Nate Burleson’s 2 catches and the 1 grabbed by D.J. Hackett in the first quarter when he sprained his ankle and didn’t return, came from the wide-outs. Deion Branch was shut out.
Just as revealing was the Seahawks defense, with five new starters. Defensive end Patrick Kerney was superb with two sacks, as were linebackers Julian Peterson and Lofa Tatupu, with Darryl Tapp and Rocky Bernard also exceptional contributors. The defense collaborated for five sacks, plus they forced three fumbles – two resulted in turnovers.
It started out slowly for both teams, a typical opener, but the Seahawks picked up a head of steam as the game progressed.
Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck started off slowly and sharpened as the game progressed, completing 17-of-24 passes for 222 yards, including a 34-yard touchdown pass to Mo Morris that virtually put the game away. Running back Shaun Alexander, always finding the Bucs defense tough, responded by rushing 27 times for 105 yards, plus a 1-yard touchdown.
Playing against the Tampa-2 defense that squeezes the wide receivers and forces a lot underneath, Hasselbeck showed great patience at taking what was available. Bobby Engram nabbed 3 passes coming out of the slot, Mack Strong added 3 more and Alexander 2. Only Nate Burleson’s 2 catches and the 1 grabbed by D.J. Hackett in the first quarter when he sprained his ankle and didn’t return, came from the wide-outs. Deion Branch was shut out.
Just as revealing was the Seahawks defense, with five new starters. Defensive end Patrick Kerney was superb with two sacks, as were linebackers Julian Peterson and Lofa Tatupu, with Darryl Tapp and Rocky Bernard also exceptional contributors. The defense collaborated for five sacks, plus they forced three fumbles – two resulted in turnovers.