‘Housh’ lets his hands do the talking
ERIC D. WILLIAMS; The News Tribune
Glendale, Ariz. – Ask and you will receive.
Each week, Seattle Seahawks receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh asks the coaching staff to dial up his number more often, and on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals, they obliged.
Houshmandzadeh was targeted 17 times, hauling in nine catches for 165 yards, including a 53-yard strike on a go-route from Seattle’s 1 that helped set up an 11-yard touchdown run by Justin Forsett.
After his performance, Houshmandzadeh is eighth in the league in receptions with 50 for 582 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 11.6 yard a catch.
Houshmandzadeh and quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, who had struggled as a pitch-and-catch battery early in the season, seemed to be in sync on Sunday, much to the delight of a boisterous contingent of Seattle fans.
“We played fairly well,” Houshmandzadeh said. “We hit a few balls, but none of it matters if you don’t put the points on the board and you don’t win.”
The receiver gave credit to the offensive line for creating enough time for him to get open.
“When you got your offensive line healthy and playing the way they play, we should do that every game,” Houshmandzadeh said. “A lot of guys might get credit for this or that, but at the end of the day if they don’t play well, we don’t have a chance. And they gave us a chance today.”
Offense clicking
After weeks of struggling to move the ball consistently, Seattle is finally clicking offensively. The Seahawks out gained Arizona (472-462) and gained more on the ground (164-122).
Seattle had ranked 30th overall in rushing, averaging 84.5 yards per game.
Hasselbeck, who was sacked four times, threw for more than 300 yards (315) for the second successive week.
“It was more fun to be out there,” Hasselbeck said about his team’s offense. “It felt like offensively we were more in the zone. I felt like we made some plays.”
A healthy offensive line helps.
“We’ve had some question marks on the offensive line, with guys getting injured and us losing big Walt (Jones) this year and all that kind of stuff, so it is frustrating,” guard Rob Sims said. “Offensive line is so much of continuity and being together. It’s just frustrating. One guy goes out, or I’m out. And I come back, but Sean (Locklear is) not back. … But we’re just glad to be back, and hopefully we hang our hat on something today and keep moving forward.”
Burleson a no-show
He predicted a Seahawks victory over Arizona early in the week, but Seattle receiver Nate Burleson struggled against the Cardinals with no catches. Burleson didn’t fare much better against Arizona in Seattle, finishing with two catches for 40 yards in Seattle’s 27-3 loss.
It was the first time since a December 2006 game against San Diego that Burleson finished a game without a catch.
Arizona receiver Anquan Boldin said his team took notice of Burleson’s comments.
“All week we heard about what they were going to do when they were healthy,” Boldin said. “It’s their division. Guaranteeing victory. But for us, we are just going to continue to keep our mouths shut and continue to play football the way we know how.”
Extra points
Seattle coach
Jim Mora said running back
Julius Jones left the game with a rib injury and stayed in a Phoenix-area hospital overnight as a precaution. … Cornerback
Josh Wilson (head) and defensive tackle
Craig Terrill (shoulder) suffered minor injuries but returned to the game. … Officials made the correct call when they flagged Arizona running back
Chris “Beanie” Wells for a personal foul after he took a swing at
Deon Grant after a play ended.
Larry Fitzgerald caught a 3-yard pass for a first down on the play. The penalty was ruled a dead ball foul, so the Cardinals were penalized 15 yards, giving them a first down from Seattle’s 19 instead of first-and-goal from the 4. Wells made up for the penalty, scoring from 10 yards out three plays later.
