Seneca Wallace on TV at 7:00 Sunday Night

[Wesley]

Just a small reminder that Seneca will see some action on NBC tonight.

Seahawks at Chargers Preview




By Mike Kahn
Seahawks Insider
Now it’s really all about the newbies, more specifically the Seattle Seahawks rookies.
“When the lights go on, it’s Showtime,” Seahawks rookie defensive end Baraka Atkins said. “It’s time to make a statement … that they made the right decision drafting me and I’m going to help this team.”
That will be the case for all the rookies, free agents and everybody else when the Seahawks travel to San Diego Sunday evening to meet the Chargers in the 5:15 preseason opener for both teams at Qualcomm Stadium.
Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said the starters will be used sparingly, while the game primarily will be about getting a good long look at the new faces. It’s a particularly important tool for president Tim Ruskell and his personnel staff as the preparation for the regular season opener on Sept. 9 grows closer.
“We’ll get some separation of players once the lights go on and the games start,” Ruskell said. “That’s why we do this. There are certain things you can put to bed as you go along in the preseason. We’re good there, we need somebody there, this guy is coming on here … we’ll go through that after the game.
Mostly, it will be interesting to see how the draft choices fair. Veterans Jordan Babineaux, Will Heller, Ben Joppru, David Kirtman, Niko Koutouvides, Courtney Taylor, Craig Terrill, Marcus Tubbsand Floyd Womack will not make the trip, which opens up a lot of opportunities for the younger players.
Veterans trying to gain traction in the depth chart such as fullback Leonard Weaver and offensive lineman Ray Willis will also get significant playing time.
But most of the eyes will be on the 2007 draft picks, who in order are defensive back Josh Wilson, defensive tackle Brandon Mebane, Atkins, guard Mansfield Wrotto, linebacker Will Herring, wide receiver Jordan Kent and guard Steve Vallos. Another draftee, Courtney Taylor, will be out for at least a few more weeks after injuring his knee in last Saturday’s scrimmage. Free agent rookies C.J. Wallace, Nu’u Tafisi, and Marcus Rucker are also bucking the odds for a spot on the roster.
The Seahawks made a move Saturday to shore up the thin tight end position, releasing defensive back Gerard Ross and signing Andy Ross, a tight end from William Penn who was released by the Arizona Cardinals
But Ross needs time to get acclimated, while there are plenty of other guys that are know the game will be particularly significant to their future. Mebane has exceeded expectations to a certain degree at this point. Drafted as a run stopper out of Cal, the 6-1, 302-pounder has shown more than just the ability to plug a hole. That’s significant as Marcus Tubbs has yet to test his surgically repaired knee – so it relieves some pressure if Mebane continues to prove himself.
“He should help us this year,” Holmgren said. “Now how much he’s going to play and how he factors into the rotations – and all those kinds of things – we are nowhere near ready to stay that. It turns out he’s a better pass rusher than we thought he was. He’s a good player and he’s built properly for that position. He’s a little short and wide. That’s good in there.”
Under the tutelage of fellow short and thick tackle Chuck Darby, Mebane is concentrating on recognition and consistency. To be looking at the Seahawks offense every day in practice – frequently twice a day – has enhanced his learning of how line coach Dwaine Board wants him to handle his responsibilities.
But it’s an entirely different deal when he staring across the line at the Chargers offense.
“I’m getting better, I’m working on a lot of things and Chuck’s been a good dude – really helping me,” said Mebane, whose parents, brother and sister are coming down from Los Angeles for the game. “There are still a lot of things I have to learn, blocking assignments I have to recognize before the ball is snapped.
“I’m just getting prepared for the game mentally. It’s a different kind of atmosphere than in college. I’m getting ready for that. I’ll watch more film and go over my plays – make sure I’m set for Sunday.”
It will be a little different for Wilson, the 5-9, 190-pound cornerback/kick returner. Not only will he see time in the nickel and at cornerback, but he’ll be returning kickoffs and get time on other special teams because of his speed and aggressiveness. They are all excited for the game – obviously.
Is there a possibility of being too pumped up?
“There are a lot of people don’t know how to control their adrenaline,” Wilson said. “You’ve got to learn how to control it under pressure. When it happens, you have got to know how to channel your energy into refocusing yourself into what needs to be going on or you won’t be able to make the right plays. If you let it take over, you are going to be doing a lot of things that are out of character. And then you get frustrated because you’re not reacting on the field the way you should be.”
That’s the way Atkins approaches it as well. The 6-4, 270-pound defensive end, like the other rookies, has been up and down through camp. He’s got outstanding outside speed, but he also has to be able to read what’s going on or that speed can work against him – pushing him way out of position.
So the concentration and learning curve has forced him to buckle down like never before.
“The first thing is knowing the defense, understanding your responsibilities,” Atkins said. “Once you do that you’re able to go out and play more freely and play the football you know how to play. Otherwise, you’re just stuck. It freezes you and hinders you from making plays and doing your job.
“I wouldn’t say I’ve got it like the back of my hand. But I do have an understanding of the rules right now and it’s getting better every day. That’s why Sunday will be such a big day.”
And by the end of the day Monday, the films will have been gleaned, performances graded, and cross-discussion complete. It will make Tuesday a day of reckoning as practice unfolds.
“Once the game is over, I want to know there are no missed assignments; no missed opportunities, and just to know that I went out there to make plays and do my job the way it needs to be done,” Wilson said. “I know I still have a lot to learn, but I want to be able to feel good about doing the things the coaches want me to do the first game out to help this team.”
And you can be sure the coaching staff seconds that notion.

[Wesley]

Seneca Wallace

Height : 5-11
Weight : 205
College : Iowa State
NFL Exp : 5
Seahawks Exp: 5
Career Games / Starts : 14/4
Birth Date : 8/6/1980
How Acquired : D4(a)-'03

2006: Played in eight games, starting four. Completed 82 of 141 passes for 927 yards, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions. Also rushed 12 times for 122 yards (10.2 avg.). Made season debut late in the fourth quarter at Chicago (10/1), completing one of two passes for six yards. Replaced Matt Hasselbeck (knee) early in the third quarter completed 14 of 25 passes for 134 yards and two interceptions versus Minnesota (10/22). Made first-career start the following week at Kansas City (10/29) and completed 15 of 30 passes for 198 and career-high three touchdowns. Led team to first win as starting quarterback versus Oakland (11/6) after completing 18 of 30 attempts for 176 yards and one touchdown. Also rushed for career-high 49 yards on three carries, including a career-long 37-yarder. Set career-high passer rating of 114.6, completing 15 of 23 passes for 161 yards and two touchdowns versus St. Louis (11/12). Set career-high in completions (19), attempts (31) and yards (252) the following week at San Francisco (11/19). Saw time at receiver versus San Diego (12/24). Started at receiver and caught one pass for 6 yards on the first play from scrimmage in the NFC Wild Card Game versus Dallas (1/6/07). Served as the backup quarterback and did not play in the Divisional Playoff Game versus Chicago (1/14/07). Pro: Selected with the 13th pick in the fourth round (110th overall) for the Seahawks in the 2003 draft. His selection marked the third consecutive year the Seahawks had selected a quarterback in the draft, 14th in Seahawks history. 2003: Won the third quarterback spot in training camp and served as the emergency quarterback all 16 games. Played in all four preseason games, completing 24 of 43 passes (55.8%) for 228 yards and three interceptions. 2004: Remained in Seattle throughout offseason working with quarterbacks coach Jim Zorn. Hard work paid off after winning third quarterback spot for second consecutive season. Served as emergency quarterback all 16 games. Played in all four preseason games, completing 41 of 77 passes (53.2%) for 439 yards with one touchdown and just one interception. Displayed athletic ability during practice rotating in at wide receiver and defensive back. 2005: Saw action in six games, including entire second half at Green Bay (1/1/06) where he threw his first-career touchdown pass. Made his NFL debut in the fourth quarter versus Arizona (9/25). Lined up at receiver in two postseason games, including Super Bowl XL. Caught a 28-yard pass that helped set up Seattle’s first score in the NFC Championship (1/22/06).

[Wesley]

Personal: Attended Rancho Cordova (Sacramento, Calif.) High. All-CIF second-team pick as a junior, adding All-Sierra Conference and All-City first-team honors as a senior. Played basketball and was named first-team All-Sierra Conference and received honorable mention for the All-Sacramento team. Lettered twice in football and three times in basketball. Majored in sociology.

College: Was orginally recruited as a defensive back by Oregon State, but left when his mom became ill, enrolling closer to home at Sacramento City Junior College. Joined the Iowa State program in 2001 and was named Big 12’s Newcomer of the Year. In two seasons at Iowa State, he completed 411 of 712 passes (57.7%) for 5,289 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 27 interceptions, adding 912 yards and 15 scores on 237 carries (3.8 avg.) in 25 games. Only Alex Espinoza (5,307, 1984-86) gained more yards passing in school history. His 6,201 yards in total offense shatterd Espinoza’s previous all-time school mark of 5,018 yards. Was a consensus All-Big 12 Conference second-team choice as senior. Started every game, setting school season records as he completed 244 of 443 passes (55.1%) for 3,245 yards, 15 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions. Gained 437 yards with eight touchdowns on 123 carries (3.6 avg.). All-Big 12 honorable mention as a junior after completing 167 of 269 passes (62.1%) for 2,944 yards, 11 touchdowns and nine interceptions. Gained 475 yards with seven scores on 114 carries (4.2 avg.) in 11 regular season games. Junior College: JUCO All-American and All-Conference selection as a sophomore at Sacramento City (Calif.) Junior College, passing for 3,675 yards and 22 touchdowns and rushing for 550 yards on 49 carries for nine touchdowns.

[guitarchitect7]

I really think he will see more playing time this year. Hassleback is going to struggle and Wallace will need to step in and make things happen. *Crosses Fingers*

[ISUboi12]

Does Seneca drive an Escalade when he is back in town? I have seen it twice and I swear it was him, but not entirely certain. Anybody know?

[Flynn4Heisman]

I was just about to make a topic about this. I assume this will be the update thread as well?

[isucyclone4]

He singlehandedly supplanted me as a Cyclone (having grown up on the dark side.) So I will always love him for that. I really do think he should be starting for SOMEONE in the NFL SOMEWHERE...Seattle is not a bad gig at all, but he could start for at least 5 teams. God - I get shivers down my spine everytime I think about "The Run." WHEN THE HELL IS AUGUST 30th GONNA GET HERE?!??!?!?!?!?!?!

[rworkman83]

Let's not forget Tim Dobbins for the Chargers tonight...both should get plenty of playing time...

[Flynn4Heisman]

Yeah, I noticed Dobbins in San Diego's starting lineup. I'm kicking myself for forgetting about him (Especially considering the fact I made a list of NFL Cyclones the other day).

[rworkman83]

Originally Posted by Flynn4Heisman

Yeah, I noticed Dobbins in San Diego's starting lineup. I'm kicking myself for forgetting about him (Especially considering the fact I made a list of NFL Cyclones the other day).

Care to share who all you found?

I was just going through the rosters for SD and Seattle and realized that SD has like 10 Hawks on their roster right now...

[Flynn4Heisman]

67 Jordan Carstens (Carolina Panthers)
51 Tim Dobbins (San Diego Chargers
97 Reggie Hayward (Jacksonville Jaguars)
27 Ellis Hobbs III (New England Patriots)
71 James Reed (Kansas City Chiefs)
18 Sage Rosenfels (Houston Texans)
79 Oliver Ross (Arizona Cardinals)
48 Tyson Smith (New York Giants)
15 Seneca Wallace (Seattle Seahawks)
5 Tony Yelk (Atlanta Falcons)

That's for last year (I heard Yelk got cut). I'm still trying to find more.

[ajk4st8]

Seneca off to a rough start.

[rworkman83]

He was clearly down on that fumble right there...it wasn't even close....

[Cypwr]

Left off two rookies
70 Aaron Brant (Chicago Bears)
64 Brent Curvey (Carolina Panthers)

Also Carstens was Waived on July 30

[ISU Clone]

Madden was talking good about Seneca. He said Seneca could not only be a starter at WR, but an all star at that position. However, Seneca said he would rather be a starting QB. Madden also mentioned that the coach said if Seatle found a better starting Qb, Hasslebeck would be the backup and Seneca would be a starting WR.