| 24 September 2009
The Seahawks' gameplan for Sunday's game against the Bears is simple: Start whoever's healthy.
That all begins with Matt Hasselbeck, who fractured a rib last week in a 23-10 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Coach Jim Mora said even if Hasselbeck doesn't practice all week, there is still a chance he could play.
If he can't go, Seneca Wallace (not Williams) will get the start. Offensive coordinator Greg Knapp said he isn't worried about Seneca filling in for Matt, because Seneca had extensive experience in training camp with the first-team offense.
"Both of these guys got lots of reps, the one and two, so I feel very comfortable that we don't have to change a lot with Seneca," Knapp said. "He does offer a little more flexibility to the mobile stuff and of the offense I've ran in my past ... I feel like he's had plenty of reps and he's ready to go.
Was that a subtle nod to Michael Vick? We'll let you figure that one out, but the fact that Knapp feels okay enough to not change much of the gameplan with Wallace filling in is a convincing case for the career backup. Seneca does bring a lot of athleticism and a great arm to the table, but his accuracy isn't quite at the level of Hasselbeck's (hence the reason he's a No.2.)
But really, the more important question here is this: Even if Matt doesn't practice all week, should he get the start on Sunday? Is it really worth the risk? Playing professional football against the Bears' defense is usually hard enough, but adding a cracked rib to the equation means the Bears are going to stop at nothing to put Matt on his back again.
If you were Jim Mora or Greg Knapp, would you put Hasselbeck in on Sunday?
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