[Contintued from 12SS Home Page]This was the first game for newly acquired Deion Branch, as well as the first start for 2005 first round draft choice Chris Spencer at left guard. This was also the necessary wake up game for the overall Seahawk offense, but the defense wound up stealing the show.
A lot of consideration for this award was given to the much-questioned Seahawk secondary, that came up with three early interceptions, two by Kenny Hamlin and one by Michael Boulware, which set up the Seahawk offense in great field position. Adding to the outstanding play of this unit were Kelly Herndon, who has been playing like a man who doesn't want to lose his job to the 2006 first round draft choice, and said first-rounder, Kelly Jennings, who was third on the team with five tackles. Together with a solid performance from Jordan "Big Play" Babineaux, they shut down the Giant wide receivers for most of the day.
On the offensive side of the ball, it may have been Deion's debut but it was Nate Burleson's coming out party. The $49 Million Dollar Man racked up 4 catches for 42 yards and a touchdown, and should quiet any of the naysayers who were questioning the deal to get him from Minnesota. First time starting TE Will Heller also made a strong case for this award, with a 3 catch, 1 TD performance, making the injury to Itula Mili not hurt as much.
But this week's award is going to someone on the offense, whose contribution to the game was NOTHING. NIL. NADA. ZERO. ZILCH. What I'm referring to is the number of sacks the Giants were able to rack up against the Seahawk offensive line. The Lions and the Cardinals each got to Hass three times, the Giants, with Strahan, Umenyiora, Pierce and Arrington, got NONE!
While the credit goes to the entire offensive line, the biggest difference from the previous weeks is Chris Spencer, and it appears Seattle has found the answer to the burning question at left guard. Sure, they still need to gel together to get the ground game in gear, but the pass protection allowed Matt & Company to take full advantage of the great field position the defense kept handing them.
All Seahawk fans know this team will only go as far as Matt Hasselbeck can take them, and with the way he was getting knocked around like a lotto ball, it's good to see we have a young, strong, healthy optoin to go along with Walt to protect Matt's blind side.
So this week's Dark Angel Award goes to the second year man they call "Hollywood". I can't wait to see the sequel next week in Chicago!
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