Seahawks QB Matt Hasselbeck had been durable throughout his career, and tough enough to play effectively in most cases even when he was injured. And so it probably wasn’t considered such a huge issue after a pass in the first exhibition-season game when he made a pained gesture – the first sign of Hasselbeck’s back problems. Tests later revealed a bulging disk. Everybody downplayed it. HC Holmgren said he had his own bulging disk; he said that everybody who played the game had bulging disks, even the secretaries in the headqarters building had bulging disks. But even when Hasselbeck was on the field, he was rarely effective, as his passer rating plunged from 91.4 in 2007 to 57.8 in 2008. After a fall and winter of rehabbing, Hasselbeck fully understands how important this “offseason” is. “It’s obviously a new system,” he said, citing the scheme put in place by new offensive coordinator Greg Knapp. “I didn’t play much last year; I had a tough injury. It was a very frustrating season.” To focus on Hasselbeck during a practice is a glimpse into his approach to the game. He’ll turn 34 this season – his 11th in the NFL – but he playfully sprints around between sessions, and obviously has fun at work.
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