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Seneca Wallace Is Mr. Multi-tasker
7/5/2006
By Mike Kahn - Seahawks Insider
KIRKLAND - The questions are incessant for Seneca Wallace in the annual Free Seneca campaign entering Seattle Seahawks training camp at the end of the month.
Would you like to play wide receiver and return kicks?
Don’t you think you can do the same thing for the Seahawks that Antwaan Randle-El did for the Pittsburgh Steelers?
Can you do that and be the backup quarterback for Matt Hasselbeck?
It always starts out that way and digresses into a what if free-for-all.
Likewise, coach Mike Holmgren hears the same things from a different angle: are you looking for a veteran backup to free Seneca?
On and on it drones for the 2003 fourth round pick out of Iowa State. Sure, he’s only 5-11 and a shade less than 200 pounds. But he has steadily improved his passing and decision-making, and nobody questions his extraordinary athleticism and play-making ability. It just comes down to whether or not he is better suited to stay at backup quarterback or be a multi-purpose player to help the special teams and keep defenses off balance when he enters the game on offense.
To date, it would be logical to assume Holmgren has taken great pride in how well Wallace has developed and is confident should something unfortunate happen to Hasselbeck, he’s eminently capable of stepping in. It’s just a different situation than it was two years ago when Trent Dilfer was the backup and Wallace was just learning what it meant to be a quarterback in the NFL, instead of a great athlete with passing skills that carried him during a record-breaking career at Iowa State - gaining 6,201 yards in total offense his junior and senior year and throwing for 27 touchdowns.
“It’s not a question if Seneca is capable of running this team,” Holmgren said. “I’m confident he can. It’s more of a case if I let Seneca do something else and he gets hurt, then what do I do?”
Wallace understands all of it. More than anything else, he has appreciated Holmgren’s faith in him and the support he, offensive coordinator Gil Haskell and quarterback coach Jim Zorn have provided. But he can’t deny how much fun it was to make a huge 28-yard reception in the playoff victory over Washington.
The whole scenario is a constant contradiction.
“As long as I’m on the team, if they want me to play another position, I’ll play,” Wallace said. “But as long as I stay where I am right now, my focus is all about working at improving at quarterback, and I think I’m doing that. When the time comes when they ask me to do something else, I’m going to do it 100 percent because I’m a football player first; and I love to play football.
“It means a lot to me because for (Holmgren) to think of me as his backup quarterback, I’ve got to be able to step in at any time. So I’ve got to work me butt off to keep getting better so I’m ready if and when that time comes. At any time he can say, ‘Hey, I don’t think he’s progressing anymore, I can bring in another guy.’ I don’t want him to every have to consider that. For my sake and my respect for him, it makes me work a lot harder.”
And that’s really at the heart of the matter now, creating a synergy between the two. Certainly Holmgren was a lot harder on Wallace during the minicamps of the past couple of months just because the expectations have risen. As Hasselbeck has escalated in value, so has Wallace.
As time passes, it becomes more of his responsibility to help prevent Hasselbeck from getting burnt out by taking an increasing amount of reps and run the offense seamlessly in the process.
“A lot is expected from the number two quarterback and coaches that I’ve been around, when they’re coaching and yelling at you and getting on you, it’s because they like you and are expecting a lot out of you,” Hasselbeck said. “A lot more is expected out of Seneca then maybe in the past because of how we feel about him, how our team feels about him, and the kind of ability that he has.
“Hopefully, he never has to play, but more than likely he’s going to have to come in and play for us. I think he’ll do a great job. It’s a tough position playing quarterback. You get criticized a lot, sometimes publicly, sometimes in your meeting room, but it is part of the job and you've got to try to handle it.”
Wallace is cool with that. Sometimes the tougher part is just the unknown. If Hasselbeck is the president on the field, then certainly Wallace is the vice president - always one play away from having all of it heaped upon his shoulders.
He knows it, and the support system of his brothers, friends and teammates has consistently been there for him as games pass. Oh, he played exceptionally well in last year’s preseason opener at New Orleans – opening a lot of eyes with his nearly perfect passing and explosive running out of the pocket. But things simmered down after that, and when he did play during the regular season last season it was in a mop-up role or in the final game in the second half with a makeshift offensive line.
His numbers of 13-of-25 passing for 173 yards, a touchdown and an interception with a 70.9 quarterback rating aren’t really reflective of anything other than he has only seen spot time in games. But Wallace know he's only a play away from getting the start, and he's got to be ready for it.
“It’s exactly like being the vice president,” Wallace said. “Like Matt always says to me, ‘This is a pressure-packed game and a pressure-packed position, and you’ve just got to be ready for anything at any time.
“But the hard part is being the guy sitting there for three years. People keep asking me, ‘When you going to play? You want to play another position to get out there?’ They don’t understand. When you’ve got a guy like Matt that’s a Pro Bowler, who took us to the Super Bowl, and playing this position in the NFL, it’s hard. I know all about it. Unless you’re a guy who’s a first-round pick and they throw you right in there and say, ‘Hey, have at it.’ Otherwise, you’ve got to work your butt off to get there and that’s what I’m doing. Everybody is right there for me. ‘Just keep doing what you’re doing. As long as you keep working hard, it will be fine.’”
Part of the issue is he’s been an A-plus guy leading all the conditioning workouts, with his attitude and desire to do whatever is asked of him at any time. Most of it, though, is his exciting talent. He’s one of those guys that every time he touches the football, everybody slides to the edge of their seats with anticipation.
And yet, with the return to health and experience of returner/receiver Peter Warrick, the perspective tends to be there won’t be the same need for that bolt of energy that Wallace could produce on special teams and in the open field as a receiver that has been tantalizing everybody.
That’s why right now, it’s more of a novelty item and most of the focus is on making him a better prepared quarterback every day.
“He’s come so far,” Haskell said. “For the longest time it was about him learning the playbook, the formations, where everybody is supposed to be. Now he is just about there. His passing has improved so much, we have more confidence in him than ever before. But it’s always tempting to put him out there because he’s such a great athlete and a big-play type of guy. If Trent (Dilfer) were still here, it wouldn’t be a big deal. He’s not, and it’s too much of a gamble to put your backup quarterback in that position, because if he gets hurt then we’re in trouble.”
As the roster is presently comprised, second-year quarterback David Greene has developed enough to be a factor, and despite two great years in NFL Europe and loads of potential, 6-6, 240-pound Gibran Hamdan still hasn’t proven himself an NFL quarterback, nor shown he can stay healthy after breaking his collarbone and ankle in consecutive years.
So that leaves Wallace, the backup quarterback. He’s game for anything, quietly listening, learning and honing his craft in the meetings, in film sessions, in practice, and intently watching games.
Indeed, this is just Year Four in the “Making of Seneca Wallace, NFL quarterback." He’ll be the last one you’ll ever hear a peep out of with regard to playing time or wanting to change positions, or really anything. He’s the model young, developing player, and the hope is if and when the time comes, that will translate into the exciting quarterback everyone surrounding him hopes he can be. And that’s why Holmgren continues to get tougher on him as each practice and each day passes.
“He gets on me and it shows that he cares what I do,” Wallace said. “Back in the day when I first got here, he wouldn’t say anything to me. I really didn’t know what I was doing. Now I understand the whole offense. That’s why he gets on the quarterbacks all the time – you’re the one running the show and you’ve got to do it the right way. If you do, you have a great chance to succeed. That’s why Matt’s so good. That’s why it’s cool.
“I know that I’m in a profession playing a sport that most people only dream about. I’m in a position right now at being a starting quarterback in the NFL at any time. It’s a dream come true for me, and a lot of people just wish they could be in the NFL, period. I always look back on the situation. There are only 53 players on the team and it’s tough to make it. You go in with about a 100 guys, and for you to be one of the top 53 means a lot; and it’s my job to prove every day that I belong.”
The question isn’t if. Eventually, it won’t be where. And when it happens, that’s when the fun will really begin.
7/5/2006
By Mike Kahn - Seahawks Insider
KIRKLAND - The questions are incessant for Seneca Wallace in the annual Free Seneca campaign entering Seattle Seahawks training camp at the end of the month.
Would you like to play wide receiver and return kicks?
Don’t you think you can do the same thing for the Seahawks that Antwaan Randle-El did for the Pittsburgh Steelers?
Can you do that and be the backup quarterback for Matt Hasselbeck?
It always starts out that way and digresses into a what if free-for-all.
Likewise, coach Mike Holmgren hears the same things from a different angle: are you looking for a veteran backup to free Seneca?
On and on it drones for the 2003 fourth round pick out of Iowa State. Sure, he’s only 5-11 and a shade less than 200 pounds. But he has steadily improved his passing and decision-making, and nobody questions his extraordinary athleticism and play-making ability. It just comes down to whether or not he is better suited to stay at backup quarterback or be a multi-purpose player to help the special teams and keep defenses off balance when he enters the game on offense.
To date, it would be logical to assume Holmgren has taken great pride in how well Wallace has developed and is confident should something unfortunate happen to Hasselbeck, he’s eminently capable of stepping in. It’s just a different situation than it was two years ago when Trent Dilfer was the backup and Wallace was just learning what it meant to be a quarterback in the NFL, instead of a great athlete with passing skills that carried him during a record-breaking career at Iowa State - gaining 6,201 yards in total offense his junior and senior year and throwing for 27 touchdowns.
“It’s not a question if Seneca is capable of running this team,” Holmgren said. “I’m confident he can. It’s more of a case if I let Seneca do something else and he gets hurt, then what do I do?”
Wallace understands all of it. More than anything else, he has appreciated Holmgren’s faith in him and the support he, offensive coordinator Gil Haskell and quarterback coach Jim Zorn have provided. But he can’t deny how much fun it was to make a huge 28-yard reception in the playoff victory over Washington.
The whole scenario is a constant contradiction.
“As long as I’m on the team, if they want me to play another position, I’ll play,” Wallace said. “But as long as I stay where I am right now, my focus is all about working at improving at quarterback, and I think I’m doing that. When the time comes when they ask me to do something else, I’m going to do it 100 percent because I’m a football player first; and I love to play football.
“It means a lot to me because for (Holmgren) to think of me as his backup quarterback, I’ve got to be able to step in at any time. So I’ve got to work me butt off to keep getting better so I’m ready if and when that time comes. At any time he can say, ‘Hey, I don’t think he’s progressing anymore, I can bring in another guy.’ I don’t want him to every have to consider that. For my sake and my respect for him, it makes me work a lot harder.”
And that’s really at the heart of the matter now, creating a synergy between the two. Certainly Holmgren was a lot harder on Wallace during the minicamps of the past couple of months just because the expectations have risen. As Hasselbeck has escalated in value, so has Wallace.
As time passes, it becomes more of his responsibility to help prevent Hasselbeck from getting burnt out by taking an increasing amount of reps and run the offense seamlessly in the process.
“A lot is expected from the number two quarterback and coaches that I’ve been around, when they’re coaching and yelling at you and getting on you, it’s because they like you and are expecting a lot out of you,” Hasselbeck said. “A lot more is expected out of Seneca then maybe in the past because of how we feel about him, how our team feels about him, and the kind of ability that he has.
“Hopefully, he never has to play, but more than likely he’s going to have to come in and play for us. I think he’ll do a great job. It’s a tough position playing quarterback. You get criticized a lot, sometimes publicly, sometimes in your meeting room, but it is part of the job and you've got to try to handle it.”
Wallace is cool with that. Sometimes the tougher part is just the unknown. If Hasselbeck is the president on the field, then certainly Wallace is the vice president - always one play away from having all of it heaped upon his shoulders.
He knows it, and the support system of his brothers, friends and teammates has consistently been there for him as games pass. Oh, he played exceptionally well in last year’s preseason opener at New Orleans – opening a lot of eyes with his nearly perfect passing and explosive running out of the pocket. But things simmered down after that, and when he did play during the regular season last season it was in a mop-up role or in the final game in the second half with a makeshift offensive line.
His numbers of 13-of-25 passing for 173 yards, a touchdown and an interception with a 70.9 quarterback rating aren’t really reflective of anything other than he has only seen spot time in games. But Wallace know he's only a play away from getting the start, and he's got to be ready for it.
“It’s exactly like being the vice president,” Wallace said. “Like Matt always says to me, ‘This is a pressure-packed game and a pressure-packed position, and you’ve just got to be ready for anything at any time.
“But the hard part is being the guy sitting there for three years. People keep asking me, ‘When you going to play? You want to play another position to get out there?’ They don’t understand. When you’ve got a guy like Matt that’s a Pro Bowler, who took us to the Super Bowl, and playing this position in the NFL, it’s hard. I know all about it. Unless you’re a guy who’s a first-round pick and they throw you right in there and say, ‘Hey, have at it.’ Otherwise, you’ve got to work your butt off to get there and that’s what I’m doing. Everybody is right there for me. ‘Just keep doing what you’re doing. As long as you keep working hard, it will be fine.’”
Part of the issue is he’s been an A-plus guy leading all the conditioning workouts, with his attitude and desire to do whatever is asked of him at any time. Most of it, though, is his exciting talent. He’s one of those guys that every time he touches the football, everybody slides to the edge of their seats with anticipation.
And yet, with the return to health and experience of returner/receiver Peter Warrick, the perspective tends to be there won’t be the same need for that bolt of energy that Wallace could produce on special teams and in the open field as a receiver that has been tantalizing everybody.
That’s why right now, it’s more of a novelty item and most of the focus is on making him a better prepared quarterback every day.
“He’s come so far,” Haskell said. “For the longest time it was about him learning the playbook, the formations, where everybody is supposed to be. Now he is just about there. His passing has improved so much, we have more confidence in him than ever before. But it’s always tempting to put him out there because he’s such a great athlete and a big-play type of guy. If Trent (Dilfer) were still here, it wouldn’t be a big deal. He’s not, and it’s too much of a gamble to put your backup quarterback in that position, because if he gets hurt then we’re in trouble.”
As the roster is presently comprised, second-year quarterback David Greene has developed enough to be a factor, and despite two great years in NFL Europe and loads of potential, 6-6, 240-pound Gibran Hamdan still hasn’t proven himself an NFL quarterback, nor shown he can stay healthy after breaking his collarbone and ankle in consecutive years.
So that leaves Wallace, the backup quarterback. He’s game for anything, quietly listening, learning and honing his craft in the meetings, in film sessions, in practice, and intently watching games.
Indeed, this is just Year Four in the “Making of Seneca Wallace, NFL quarterback." He’ll be the last one you’ll ever hear a peep out of with regard to playing time or wanting to change positions, or really anything. He’s the model young, developing player, and the hope is if and when the time comes, that will translate into the exciting quarterback everyone surrounding him hopes he can be. And that’s why Holmgren continues to get tougher on him as each practice and each day passes.
“He gets on me and it shows that he cares what I do,” Wallace said. “Back in the day when I first got here, he wouldn’t say anything to me. I really didn’t know what I was doing. Now I understand the whole offense. That’s why he gets on the quarterbacks all the time – you’re the one running the show and you’ve got to do it the right way. If you do, you have a great chance to succeed. That’s why Matt’s so good. That’s why it’s cool.
“I know that I’m in a profession playing a sport that most people only dream about. I’m in a position right now at being a starting quarterback in the NFL at any time. It’s a dream come true for me, and a lot of people just wish they could be in the NFL, period. I always look back on the situation. There are only 53 players on the team and it’s tough to make it. You go in with about a 100 guys, and for you to be one of the top 53 means a lot; and it’s my job to prove every day that I belong.”
The question isn’t if. Eventually, it won’t be where. And when it happens, that’s when the fun will really begin.
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I'm not talking Slash like but a few plays here and there.Well I guess you don't think so, huh?
