Hutchinson reminds Seahawks what they lost
DAVE BOLING; The News Tribune
MINNEAPOLIS – As if the 9-1 Minnesota Vikings needed to rub in anything beyond their total dominance of the Seahawks in a 35-9 win Sunday, they made an effort to showcase former Seattle guard Steve Hutchinson, whom they hired away after the 2005 season.
The Vikings Pro Bowl player was on the cover of the Sunday Gameday magazine, and he was featured in a spotlight segment shown on the big screen monitors at Mall of America Field.
As for Hutchinson, he showcased himself the way he usually does, by being one of the most athletic and dominant linemen in the business.
He made the first three of his six career Pro Bowls with the Hawks, and was a fixture on the Seahawks’ left side with tackle Walter Jones when Seattle made its Super Bowl XL appearance.
But when the Seahawks left the door open by affixing a “transition” tag on him rather than a “franchise” designation, the Vikings brought him on board with a bit of contract manipulation called a “poison pill” that prevented the Seahawks from matching.
If Hutchinson had any hard feelings, it wasn’t against his former teammates. He was the last Viking off the field Sunday as he spent time visiting with old teammates.
“There’s guys who, just by being on the other side of the country, I don’t get to see much,” Hutchinson said. “I just have phone conversations with them, so it’s nice to be able to catch up as much as you can (after the game).”
Hutchinson was part of a Vikings line that provided enough protection that quarterback Brett Favre could connect on 22 of 25 passing attempts for four touchdowns. In addition, the team rushed for 160 yards.
At 9-1 and in control of the NFC North Division, the Vikings are one of the teams projected to advance some distance in the playoffs.
So, Steve Hutchinson, is there anything about the 2009 Vikings that reminds you of the 2005 Seahawks?
“I’m not good at comparisons,” he said. “All I know is we have a team that is 9-1 and we have guys that are as close as I’ve seen in any locker room … offense, defense, special teams. We all get along well; we can joke. There’s no factions, no cliques, nothing like that in the locker room. That’s what you want in a team that is going to try to make a run, and we have that kind of chemistry.”
Left tackle Bryant McKinnie, said that he could sense that this was more than just another game for Hutchinson.
“There was probably a little added motivation for him,” McKinnie said. “You always want to play well against your old team. I know it’s pretty cool playing next to him the past four years. We know each other so well, we don’t really have to communicate at all. That feels pretty good.”
Dave Boling: 253-597-8440
dave.boling@thenewstribune.com
