There were many moments in yesterday's victory 36-18 over the Arizona Cardinals that summarize the Seattle Seahawks rollercoaster season so far. Injured or not, Seattle players continually show the will to win.
Wide receiver Mike Williams and quarterback Matt Hasselbeck were feeling it all game Sunday. Hasselbeck threw for 333 yards and one touchdown, while Williams caught eleven balls for 145 yards. Both players deserve the game ball for their outstanding performances. They also share a unique story about redemption.
Hasselbeck made a triumphant return to the playing field yesterday, twice. The Seattle Seahawks quarterback first returned to the starting lineup Sunday afternoon after missing last week's slaughtering at the hands of the New York Giants. Then after a great first half by Hasselbeck, he hurt his non-throwing hand right before halftime.
That injury meant the much maligned Charlie Whitehurst was once again thrust into the starting role. Just four plays after, Whitehurst promptly threw a pass to the guys in red. Thankfully, the Seahawks defense held up and forced Arizona to punt.
Whitehurst played one more series while Hasselbeck returned from the locker room and warmed up on the sideline. The Seahawks survived that series and Hasselbeck made his second dramatic entrance onto the field much to the Cardinals dismay.
Speaking of breaking hearts, Mike Williams haunted the Cardinals' secondary all game. Even if the 6'5 receiver looked covered, he wasn't. He reached for balls and contorted his body to ensure only he would catch the pass.
With performances like that, Williams is in line for the NFL's Comeback Player of the Year award. Before Seahawks head coach, Pete Carroll, took a chance on his former USC star, Williams was known to be an utter failure. He was drafted very high in the first round of the 2005 NFL draft because of his dominance in college under then USC coach, Carroll.
Williams caught an unbelievably low, 44 balls in his time before joining Seattle. With Seattle this season, he has 46 catches. The most ridiculous part to this return to greatness is the fact that he did not play in the NFL for the last two years, gaining 50 pounds during that hiatus.
Today, Williams looks like the future. I can't honestly remember the last time the Seahawks had a legitimate number one receiver. Pair him with him with other studs in their prime, runningbacks Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett, and you have a solid offensive base for the future.
The future at quarterback is definitely not Hasselbeck but this much is sure, he is the man right now. Hasselbeck haters better be quiet after yesterday's vintage performance on the road.
Sunday's road victory is vital to Seattle's mentality as they prepare for the defending Super Bowl champs, the New Orleans Saints. Arizona's quarterback Derek Anderson, can't hold New Orleans' quarterback Drew Brees' jock. Thus, the Seahawks secondary needs to make the plays that they failed to do in Scottsdale if they expect to hang with the champs.
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