Hackett enjoys a day to remember
http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/seaha...ory/207554.html
DARRIN BEENE; The News Tribune Published: November 19th, 2007 01:00 AM
When the Seattle Seahawks offense is clicking like it was on Sunday, even when something goes a little wrong it turns out alright.
Receiver D.J. Hackett had one of those moments early in the fourth quarter of the Seahawks’ 30-23 victory over the Chicago Bears at Qwest Field.
The plan was for Hackett to run a short hitch pattern, to basically run 5 yards and turn around. But when Bears cornerback Trumaine McBride crowded him, he eyed a bigger play.
“The guy was so far outside on Hackett that he varied it a little bit with his route,” Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said. “I don’t know if it is really what you are supposed to do but he got enough separation, and I threw it in there.”
McBride dived for the ball but missed it –barely. Hackett grabbed it and went 59 yards down the Seahawks sideline and would have had his second touchdown if not for a tackle by Adam Archuleta.
“That was inches from being an interception or a huge play and it was a huge play,” Hasselbeck said.
It was one of several big plays by Hackett. The play was the longest of his career on a day that included two other career-bests. Hackett had nine receptions for 136 yards to eclipse his previous bests of eight receptions, set twice – including Monday against the San Francisco 49ers – and 104 yards receiving, against the Arizona Cardinals last December.
“We spread the ball around, and it just happened to be my number a lot,” Hackett said.
It was a big day for No. 18 and also for No. 83, Deion Branch. Branch played for the first time since hurting his foot against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Oct. 7. He had four catches for 31 yards in limited action.
“It felt pretty good,” Branch said, adding it was hard to say what percent he felt because “of having so much adrenaline going and that I was drugged up, too.”
Chicago’s secondary, though, looked the ones in a fog. Chicago wasn’t able to stop a Seahawks passing attack that features Hackett, Branch, Bobby Engram (eight catches, 84 yards) and Nate Burleson (4-yard touchdown). Sometimes all four were on the field at the same time.
“We’re deep, so you have to pick and choose,” Hackett said. “When we have four receivers out there, who are you going to cover?”
Hackett found plenty of open spaces and could have had two more receptions.
In one play he’d like to have back, Hackett dropped a sure touchdown near the end of the first half. And in the fourth quarter, he had a sideline catch ruled out-of-bounds.
Still, his big game was the third time in three weeks he’s had at least six catches. Since missing six games with a sprained ankle, Hackett has caught 23 passes for 295 yards and three TDs.
He said he’s getting closer to being completely healthy, which should worry opposing defenses.
“Today, though, my conditioning was much, much better,” he said. “It’s definitely almost there.”
Darrin Beene: 253-597-8656
darrin.beene@thenewstribune.com
This is the same Pass D that's currently ranked 5th best in the entire NFL.If interested, here's the thread Guys who think OAK pass D is stout, Just stop it already...just stop
