No. 2 QB helps Seahawks beat Saints 34-15
 

No. 2 QB helps Seahawks beat Saints 34-15
8/12/2005, 10:43 p.m. CT
By BRETT MARTEL
The Associated Press

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Seattle need not worry about whether Seneca Wallace can be trusted to take over the role of No. 2 quarterback. Wallace, tapped as Matt Hasselbeck's backup after Trent Dilfer was traded to Cleveland, scored on a slashing 24-yard scramble and passed for another touchdown in the Seahawks' 34-15 victory over the New Orleans Saints on Friday night in the preseason opener for both teams.

The third-year reserve out of Iowa State played from early in the second quarter through the third, completing 12 of 20 passes for 137 yards. His touchdown pass was a perfect toss that dropped softly over the shoulder of former Saints receiver Jerome Pathon for a 28-yard score.

Half of his incompletions were really dropped balls, including one bullet over the middle that appeared to be a certain touchdown until it slipped through D.J. Hackett's hands in the end zone. That drive ended with Josh Brown's 30-yard field goal.

The game was largely an exercise in humility for the Saints, who finished 2004 on a four-game winning streak, then talked throughout the offseason about looking even better and being eager to get back on the field. They turned the ball over three times in the first half, all leading to Seattle touchdowns. The Seahawks had a 24-3 lead by halftime, when a number of fans booed the Saints as they walked off the Louisiana Superdome turf.

New Orleans' new-look, run-oriented offense looked like it still needed work.

Deuce McAllister fumbled three plays into the game when he was stripped behind the line of scrimmage by Niko Koutouvides. Seattle linebacker Michael Boulware recovered the ball on the Saints 18, setting up Hasselbeck's 13-yard scoring pass to Bobby Engram. Hasselbeck went to the bench for good early in the second quarter, having completed 6 of 10 passes for 40 yards.

New Orleans only score with the starters in the game came on its second drive. It was comprised of three strong runs by McAllister and a couple of short passes from Aaron Brooks. John Carney capped it with a 50-yard field goal.

The final numbers for the Saints' marquee players were unspectacular, however. McAllister finished with nine carries for 38 yards, his longest run going for 12 yards. Brooks was 3-for-7 for 15 yards. Joe Horn had no catches and one drop. Donte' Stallworth's only reception, a 25-yarder along the sidelines, was wiped out when top draft pick Jammal Brown was flagged for being lined up too far behind the line of scrimmage.

The Saints didn't get into the end zone until late in the third quarter when Todd Bouman found Talman Gardner for an 11-yard touchdown that made it 27-10.

Seattle reserve fullback Leonard Weaver broke free for a 40-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. And Marquis Weeks ended up being Seattle's leading rusher with 59 yards on eight carries, all in the second half.


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RE: No. 2 QB helps Seahawks beat Saints 34-15
 

Oh please. Let's not forget that he played against the 2nd/3rd string of the worst rated defense in the entire NFL.

Wallace may be NFL caliber, or he may not be. But playing against the Saints (2nd stringers at that) is not a valid test. He might as well test against Tulane's defense, or Holy Cross.

Nobody will know until he plays against a real NFL defense.