SEATTLE — They weren’t perfect. They probably weren’t even average.
But considering that the Seahawks’ offensive line was expected to be the football version of The Titanic this season, the fact that it remained afloat Sunday was noteworthy.
“They did a great job,” quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said following Seattle’s 31-6 season-opening victory over the San Francisco 49ers. “All things considered, they were awesome.”
In the lexicon of compliments, “all things considered” is the equivalent of “she has a great personality.” But let’s consider a few of those things.
Such as the retirement of future Hall of Famer Walter Jones prior to the season. And the training-camp injury that has sidelined his replacement, Russell Okung. And the unexpected retirement of offensive line coach Alex Gibbs last week. And an injury to starting left guard Mike Gibson in the first half, which sidelined him for the remainder of the game.
Why, things have been so chaotic that coach Pete Carroll referred to starting left tackle Tyler Polumbus as “Troy” last week in front of the media. Oddly appropriate for a coach fresh from USC.
No, the offensive line — Polumbus, Chris Spencer, Max Unger, Sean Locklear, and Ben Hamilton filling in for Gibson — didn’t win Sunday’s game. The defense was spectacular; Hasselbeck was efficient; and an interception scored one Seattle touchdown and set up another.
Besides, the Seahawks rushed for only 77 yards, with nearly half of them coming on a 32-yard run by Justin Forsett. But when measured against expectations, the line was the unexpected stocking stuffer on Christmas morning.
“I thought the pass protection was really solid,” Carroll said. “Matt had time to move around. When we had to run it, and they had to stop us, we were able to move the ball.”
As a unit, Seattle’s offensive front has been a mess since Jones started having serious injury problems in 2008. And while the Seahawks entered this season with plenty of question marks, the biggest ones centered upon the blockers.
Sunday, they mostly gave Hasselbeck plenty of time to deliver quick-drop, quick-hit passes and pick apart the 49ers.
“I think we played pretty good, man,” said right tackle Sean Locklear, looking surprised about being approached by a reporter because the linemen declined to speak with the media throughout training camp. “We didn’t run the ball very well. But we only gave up one sack, and as many times as we threw it, that’s pretty good.”
Not that they started out that way.
Let it be noted, for the sake of posterity, that the inaugural first down of the Pete Carroll era came on a defensive holding penalty.
Nothing wrong with that — except that it was 25 minutes into the game.
On Seattle’s first play of the season, Hasselbeck threw an interception. On their next eight plays, the Seahawks gained a total of 17 yards.
“I think Matt wanted to really challenge the team and make sure we had our backs to the wall from the beginning,” Carroll deadpanned.
Yet from that point forward they were dominating, picking up a division win when an 8-8 record might be title-worthy.
“We have a million miles to go,” Carroll said. “We need to go back to work and get things right. Now that it’s over … it’s a nice game, but it doesn’t mean that much.”
Au contraire.
Because while the Seahawks were victorious and the defense was impressive and the enthusiasm was palpable, Carroll might have touched upon the secret to decent offensive line play — with a little help from Polumbus:
“He really wants me to call him Troy now.”
Greg Jayne is Sports editor of The Columbian. He can be reached at 360-735-4531, or online at greg.jayne@columbian.com. To read his blog, go to columbian.com/weblogs/GregJayne
