Matt Hasselbeck Is Missing Much Needed Chemistry

Donald Parrish — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 19:01:49 -0400

Matt Hasselbeck comes into his Week Six game looking to rebound from the worst start of his career. The usually proficient Hasselbeck will enter the game ranked 28th in passing yards and an even worse 30th in passer rating.

Hasselbeck is averaging about 80 yards a game less then the career mark he set last year. To an outsider, one may think Matt has lost his touch or maybe has just lost it all together at the age of 33. His struggles, however, can be blamed on two sources: his injuries and his lack of chemistry with his receivers.

As far as injuries go, Matt sat out practice today with a bruised knee that he suffered in the Seahawks' embarrassing 44-6 loss to the New York Giants. Coming into the season, it was reported that he had a back injury that he was playing through.

Matt has said the back was no big deal and that he could play with it. Since those early reports, this issue has not resurfaced at all. All signs point to Matt being able to play this weekend against the Green Bay Packers, the team that originally drafted him in the sixth round of the 1998 draft.

With the obscene number of wide receivers the team has gone through so far this season, Matt will look to work on his chemistry with some familiar faces. Bobby Engram will be back for a second week and Matt will look to get back on track with his rookie tight end John Carlson.

With Deion Branch looking doubtful for this weekend's game and Koren Robinson returning to practice today, look for Koren to play a more prominent role. Robinson and Matt have worked together before, so if Koren can get on the field, look for an instant chemistry there.

Also this week, wide receiver Courtney Taylor was released and later signed to the practice squad. Jordan Kent was signed from the practice squad to the active roster. Kent saw playing time in the first game of the year against the Buffalo Bills and poses a deep threat with his excellent speed, as he was a track star at the University of Oregon.

With all the new faces on the team, look for Matt to regain his form with some old friends.

Healthy Seahawks Look to Take Flight Against Giants

Donald Parrish — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 21:28:41 -0400

The Seattle Seahawks (1-2) are looking to benefit from the return of at least three offensive starters this week against the New York Giants (3-0).

The Seahawks appear to be getting Deion Branch, Bobby Engram and Sean Locklear back just in time for their east coast matchup against the defending champs.

Both teams are entering the game off their bye week, and while Seattle benefited greatly from the early bye, the Giants will look to pick up right were they left off. The Giants are looking to extend their seven game winning streak which dates back to their improbable run through the playoffs last year.

But they will have to do so without All-Pro WR Plaxico Burress who is suspended for one game for violating team rules.

The Seahawks have suffered from a slow start, a lot of which can be blamed on the unexplainable amount of injuries suffered by their Wide Receiver core. By Week 3, 'hawks have already lost WRs Deion Branch, Bobby Engram, Ben Obomanu(IR), Nate Burleson(IR), Logan Payne(IR) and QB Seneca Wallace to Injuries.

Without their top six Wide Receivers, Seattle was forced to look to free agent Billy McMullen, rookie free agent Michael Bumpus and second round pick John Carlson to help get the team its first win in Week three.

With Veterans Bobby Engram and Deion Branch returning along with an extra week of practice for the new Wide Receivers, look for Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck to return to form and improve his low passer rating.

Also returning this week is Right Tackle Sean Locklear, who missed the first two games and only saw limited action in Week 3. It is also possible that Running Back Maurice Morris may return this week along with QB/WR Seneca Wallace, but they might sit out to get another week's rest.

Bleacher Report - Articles by Donald Parrish

Matt Hasselbeck Is Missing Much Needed Chemistry

Healthy Seahawks Look to Take Flight Against Giants