Notebook | Hackett says he’s not yet in top shape
If D.J. Hackett keeps this up, imagine what he might do next week.
The Seahawks wide receiver, less than one week removed from a performance of eight catches for 101 yards against San Francisco, set career highs in catches and yards Sunday with nine for 136 against Chicago. He also caught a touchdown and came close to catching another at the end of the first half.
“We got the ball around a lot,” Hackett said. “We started out throwing it a lot, and the defense had to step off and that opened up the run.”
Three weeks ago, Hackett wasn’t even playing. He’d sprained an ankle early in the first game of the season and missed six games. But he’s back and looking better than ever.
Hackett’s best play was his 59-yard reception that led to a Seahawks field goal early in the fourth quarter. The play was the longest of his career and the second-longest yardage gain on one play this season for Seattle.
As for the touchdown he didn’t get, Hackett said he caught the ball but Chicago’s Adam Archuleta knocked it out of his hands in the end zone.
Despite his solid play, Hackett admitted he isn’t all the way back from his injury. It is healed, but now Hackett has to get back into game shape.
“[Sunday] my conditioning was much, much better,” he said. “So I’m definitely almost there.”
Hasselbeck “sore”
Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck played in some pain after he was seen grabbing his right side after a second-quarter scramble.
The injury didn’t knock him out of the game, but it was unclear what exactly the injury was because Seattle coach Mike Holmgren said it was ribs, but Hasselbeck didn’t deny it was his previously injured oblique muscle in his back.
“Matt is going to be very sore,” Holmgren said.
“It was a physical game,” Hasselbeck said. “They get a lot of hits on you.”
Another 87 for Morris
Seahawks running back Maurice Morris gained 87 rushing yards for the second consecutive game, his second as the starter in place of the injured Shaun Alexander. Morris also ran for his second touchdown in those two games.
Maybe more important, he was enough of a factor to keep the Bears’ defense guessing even though Seattle has become a pass-first offense lately.
The Seahawks’ passing success and spread formations opened up lanes for Morris.
While Alexander is to regain his starting job when he gets back from a knee injury, Holmgren said last week that Morris has made a case for increased playing time.
“The more you’re out there playing with the offense and running around, the more confident and the more comfortable you get in the scheme of things,” Morris said.
Hill comes through
Of the several good decisions by the Seahawks on Sunday, one of the best came before the game when the coaches decided to activate linebacker Leroy Hill.
Hill missed the game last week with a hamstring injury and didn’t practice until Friday. Holmgren said he was prepared to put Hill on the inactive list if his leg didn’t respond during a morning workout, but trainers and coaches liked what they saw.
What happened next? Hill started and led Seattle with 10 total tackles, including a sack.
“It felt good. I hate standing on the sideline and watching my boys play,” Hill said. “I did everything I could to try to get back. I got back, had a decent game, and it feels good to be back out there.”
One punt for Engram
Nate Burleson had another long return for the Seahawks, a 44-yard runback on a kickoff to start the second half. He also caught a touchdown pass after being knocked down by Bears linebacker Lance Briggs on his only catch of the game.
But the Seahawks’ punt and kickoff return man wasn’t on the field for a punt in the first quarter. He was replaced by Bobby Engram, who allowed the punt to go into the end zone.
Holmgren said he wanted Burleson to watch and see what the coaches want the return man to do with a punt that goes deep into Seattle territory. Burleson caught such a punt two weeks ago and ran it back for a touchdown, but the risky move concerned Holmgren.
“Bobby’s a vet. He makes smart decisions,” Burleson said, not sounding offended that he was temporarily replaced. “A lot of things I’ve learned … I’ve learned from Bobby.”
NOTE
• DT Howard Green played in his first game for the Seahawks since being signed Oct. 16. He was credited with two solo tackles.
Back in a flash
Since returning from a high ankle sprain suffered in Week 1, Seahawks receiver D.J. Hackett has become quarterback Matt Hasselbeck’s main target. A look at his production the past three games:
Date
Opponent
Score
Rec
Yds
Lg
TD
Nov. 4
at Cleveland
L, 30-33
6
58
9.7
15
1
Nov. 12
San Francisco
W, 24-0
8
101
12.6
46
1
Sunday
Chicago
W, 30-23
9
136
15.1
59
1