Seahawks notes: Wallace gets healthier, could be ready to start Sunday

The News Tribune • Published October 16, 2008

RENTON – Seattle Seahawks quarterback Seneca Wallace took the first step to securing a starting quarterback job on Sunday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Wallace made it through the entire practice, and did not appear hobbled taking his drops and moving through his footwork.

Wallace and third-team quarterback Charlie Frye, who started against Green Bay last week, split snaps with the first team on Wednesday. Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren said Wallace needed to stay healthy through practice this week before he would proclaim Wallace the starter for Sunday.

"I feel good, but it's different playing in the game," Wallace said. 'But I feel good out here so we'll see."

Wallace's services are needed because starting quarterback Matt Hasselbeck will miss his second straight game with a bulging disk that is affecting the stability of his right knee. Hasselbeck is not expected to practice this week, and Holmgren hopes Hasselbeck's knee will be ready to go in two weeks against San Francisco.

Wallace is a six-year veteran that has more experience running Holmgren's system than Frye. Wallace started four games for Hasselbeck in 2006, leading the Seahawks to a 2-2 record with Hasselbeck out.

Wallace played in mop-up duty against the New York Giants two weeks ago. He's recovering from a strained calf injury that kept him out of last week's game against Green Bay, and says he doesn't want to do too much too soon.

"It's a very fine line," Wallace said. "It's difficult to kind of manage that. You've got to get a lot mental reps, and do the same things I would normally do if Matt was starting the game. I just got to get the mental reps and when I get my plays, take advantage of it."

• JACKSON DEMOTED: Looking for more of a consistent pass rush from the defensive line, Seattle defensive coordinator John Marshall said that Darryl Tapp will start at right defensive end this week in place of rookie, first-round draft choice Lawrence Jackson.

"I have been preparing the same way each game," said Tapp, last year's starter who Jackson supplanted this season. "Now it is an opportunity where I get to start in the game more rather than coming in when the flow has started already. It is a good feeling."