The Seattle Ballhawks continued their predatory ways in their final exhibition game Thursday at CenturyLink Field, forcing a pair of turnovers in the first half against the Oakland Raiders.
Particularly relevant with the first turnover was that it was first-round draft pick Bruce Irvin who forced a fumble on a punt to set up the Seahawks’ first score.
Irvin tackled Raiders returner Roscoe Parrish, forcing a fumble that was recovered by fellow rookie Bobby Wagner. The turnover set up a 25-yard field goal by Steven Haushka.
In the second quarter, another rookie, cornerback Jeremy Lane, picked off a Matt Leinart pass intended for Brandon Carswell to set up another Haushka field goal (29 yards).
The Seahawks led the NFC in turnover differential through the first three exhibition games at plus-five, having forced eight turnovers. The turnovers helped the Hawks power to the league’s best scoring differential of plus-60 (101-41).
Irvin, taken with the No. 15 pick, was considered the best available college pass rusher. But through three games, he had no sacks and no tackles, while seventh-round pick Greg Scruggs, led the team with 2 sacks and four quarterback hurries.
On this punt, though, Irvin closed quickly on Parrish and stripped the ball at the Raiders’ 38.
The Hawks nearly had another fumble on a second-quarter muff of a punt when rookie Robert Turbin and Lane nearly came up with a loose ball on the sideline.
STARTERS’ STAY SHORT
Seattle went with to its No. 2 defense after the first drive of the game, but stayed with the No. 1 offense for two series. And rookie starting quarterback Russell Wilson stayed in another series with the second unit line.
DROP HURTS WILSON
Wilson, the rookie starting quarterback, entered the game with a passer rating of 119.4, highest in the NFL through three exhibitions. But his 5-for-11 performance Thursday, with no touchdowns or interceptions, was rated 67.2.
Wilson’s best pass might have been a deep incompletion to Golden Tate. Tate made a one-handed snatch over the top of defender Shawntae Spencer. But the 25-yard pass was ruled incomplete on a challenge by the Raiders.
Instead of having the ball on the Raiders’ 10, the Hawks were left to try a 53-yard Haushka field goal, which was short.
BALL CONTROL
Oakland starting quarterback Carson Palmer had struggled in the first three games, throwing four interceptions with no touchdowns for a passer rating of 45.3. Thursday, he did nothing but hand the ball off in his one series of action.
HELLO, 2009
The Seahawks came out of their exhibition schedule undefeated – 4-0 – a feat that had been accomplished only once previously, in 2009.
During the regular season, however, the Hawks managed just a 5-11 record.
NO GUARANTEES
Roster cuts to 53 will be announced today, but making it through is no guarantee that players will be around for the Sept. 9 opener, as general manager John Schneider views the final cutdown date as another free agency period when he might upgrade the roster with players released from other clubs.
FROM SICK BAY
Strong safety Kam Chancellor (hip) warmed up before the game but did not suit up. Others not dressed included: Marshawn Lynch, Walter Thurmond, Chris Maragos, Matt McCoy, James Carpenter, Doug Baldwin, Jason Jones and Greg Scruggs.
dave.boling@thenewstribune.com 253-597-8440 @DaveBoling
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