Week 1 - Sunday 10th September 2006

So that is what it is like to be a winner. I'm not talking about the game I'm talking about the feeling in the pit of your stomach on the day that the new season dawns. Instead of a nervous optimism that you don't seriously expect to be fulfilled I had an almost relaxed feeling of quiet confidence.

I don't mind telling you that it's a feeling that doesn't sit altogether comfortably with me after all these years but it is something I'm prepared to give time to get used to.

Hell, one columnist this week said that the Seahawks were a lock to win 11 games. That's not the best case scenario, that's not with a fair wind and some lucky breaks that's a LOCK to win 11 games. Now I know that people can embarrass themselves with pre season predictions but for someone to even think it about the 8-8 Seahawks? It sort of put it into perspective for me.

So onto Detroit and amazingly, with the shock announcement on Friday that in return for parting with $24.99 of my hard earned English cash, I could actually watch the game in post-industrial Lancashire on t'internet.

Sadly for me I badly miscalculated the time it would take me to eat a 4 course Indian banquet which meant that I missed the entire first quarter. I was also so full that I felt a bit like Homer Simpson in that episode where he weighs so much he's classed as disabled.

Anyway 3-0 down wasn't quite what I was hoping for but what's this? 2 blocked field goals and a Shaun Alexander fumble?? Slight reeling in of over confidence there but by the time my picture quality had settled down the Hawks had levelled it and then as time expired at the end of the first half, Josh Brown nailed a 51 yarder to make it 6-3 to the Hawks at the break.

The second half started in frightening scale as an upended Lion rolled in to the back of Walter Jones who was knocked over and looked to have suffered an injury. Thankfully it was nothing serious and Walt came back, but it was a scary moment.

As it was the game was nothing more than a punting competition in the 3rd quarter but it was pleasing to note that rookie Ryan Plackemeier was helping the Seahawks win the field position battle with an average of 53 yards on 5 punts with a long of 63 and 2 inside the 20. Yes it is slightly embarrassing to be reporting on the punter but not a lot else was happening.

The game dragged into the 4th quarter and still with little of note to report the Lions went and tied it up on what was their best possession of the day and it was 6-6 with overtime beckoning.

The Seahawks couldn't move it but then neither could the Lions until with 3:13 remaining the Seahawks took the ball on their own 20. Finally there was a drive and it was a good one at that.

Firstly Alexander had his best run of the day with a 14 yarder. Hass then found Darrell Jackson who looked like he would struggle for a first down until he completely reversed the field and went out of bounds on the opposite touchline for a 13 yard gain. DJ Hackett then stood up tall once again and pulled in a 14 yard catch before Mo Morris took off down the right sideline for a 17 yard gain and excellent field goal position.

Josh Brown didn't let us down and notched with a 42 yard effort as time expired and ran off the pitch into celebrating team mates.

As an opening day score, 9-6 hardly sets the pulses racing but it is at least characteristic of the Hawks in the last 2 seasons when they have started slowly. Two years ago they won 10-6 in Tampa in the second game and last season lost 26-14 at the Jaguars in the opener. Both games were highlighted by a failure to mount drives due a seemingly porous Offensive line so to draw any conclusions about the loss of Hutch would be too early just yet.

It also has to be said that the Lions played their part in making things uncomfortable for the Seahawks. As a Defensive coach for 10 years it should come as no surprise that new Lions coach Rod Marinelli would have his D fired up and they were.

On the plus side for the Hawks was the growing maturity of Matt Hasselbeck, described in commentary as one of the 'elite' QB's in the NFL. He certainly saw his share of pressure with 5 sacks and numerous hurries and to go 25-30 and 210 yards in those circumstances shows why he is rated so highly.

HawksHead 11/9/2006

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