From Deseret News archives:
Raiders, Seahawks limp into preseason finale
Holmgren's backup Seattle Seahawks host Kiffin's reserve Oakland Raiders on Friday night in the preseason finale. That's the official description. It's really a final, three-hour tryout of kids for two beat-up teams that would rather not be playing another fake game.
Holmgren, a former backup quarterback at Southern California drafted in the eighth round by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1970, used to think the preseason games were fine as is. Not anymore.
Not with indispensable quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (tight back), Pro Bowl linebacker Lofa Tatupu (bruised knee), record-setting receiver Bobby Engram (broken shoulder), former Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch (knee surgery) and right tackle Sean Locklear (sprained knee) all hurt this preseason and out for Friday's game.
"I've changed my tune. I used to think four was OK," said Holmgren, who until a few years ago was on the league's competition committee. "When I was a rookie, we had six!
"A lot of veterans have used the time to get into shape. Players don't do that anymore. ... We're killing them in the offseason. So you don't need as many (preseason games). You really don't."
"Every play I've got to play like it's my last play ever in the NFL," Forsett said. "I'm trying to make it no doubt that I belong here."
With No. 3 quarterback Charlie Frye missing Seattle's only practice this week because of a sore knee and Wallace coming off a groin injury, No. 4 Dalton Bell may be throwing passes to Logan Payne, Jordan Kent, Courtney Taylor and Michael Bumpus the throng of receivers trying to take one of the last roster spots.
For Oakland, starting quarterback JaMarcus Russell won't play. Backup Andrew Walter will start and Marques Tuiasosopo may relieve. Banged up star cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha won't play, either. Pro Bowler Shane Lechler won't punt.
If rookie running back Darren McFadden, the fourth overall pick, is on the field, it won't be for long. Seattle's crowd can enjoy former Husky and deep backup Louis Rankin instead. Starting receivers Ronald Curry and Javon Walker won't play. Marcel Reece will.
Not exactly regular-season players for the fans who are paying regular-season money for tickets.
Comments
- Woods settles his lawsuit 3:47 p.m.
- Charles Gibson to retire 3:46 p.m.
- Bishop Burton: These are good times 3:38 p.m.
- Holiday television program listings 3:30 p.m.
- Obama aunt anguished by separation 3:16 p.m.
- Police release holiday safety video 3:15 p.m.
- GM CEO Henderson resigns 3:15 p.m.
- Stocks climb after econ reports 3:14 p.m.
- Sweet treats 3:10 p.m.
- McCoy to resign from Utah Senate 3:00 p.m.
- 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
- BYU says Hall incident resolved
- Max Hall: a fixture in rivalry lore
- Mitchell called intelligent, controlling
- Hall reprimanded by MWC
- 'Grandfamilies' a growing trend
- Utes won't respond to Hall
- Daughter: Mitchell fed me my pet
- Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
- MWC '09 season in review
- Hall mouths off about hate of Utah
900 - Cougars beat Utes in overtime
482 - Hall reprimanded by MWC
399 - Max Hall issues apology
386 - Hall's pain reflects self-betrayal
338 - Utes won't respond to Hall
271 - BYU says Hall incident resolved
204 - 2 citations issued at Y.-U. game
141 - BYU is champion of the state
141 - Man trapped in Nutty Putty cave dies
125
Just ran into a neighbor of mine at the gas station - thanks for buying...
Is Angels Landing perhaps Utah's single most dangerous hiking trail? The...
U's all conference lb missed a tackle that cost U the game. I bet he has...
Considering that Corroon has not held statewide office and hasn't decided to...
Get over it! It is amazing how much media this has recieved--yet hardly...
Let it go already! One has to wonder why Ute fans are so sensitive and...
We have only one gay Senator, the closeted Sen Chris Buttars-R
Having been a member for over 40 years, this version of translation...
GOP and independent conservatives have run against Matheson since he started...
How many football games did U win saturday> Two less than the number of...
"Arpaio told the panel that his office is an "equal opportunity law...
I spent 9 months in the US Army near the Pakistan border dodging bullets and...




You can be the first to comment on this story.