Thursday, December 14, 2006
Seahawks Notebook: What next, locusts?
Series of wacky weather now brings gusty winds to Qwest
KIRKLAND -- There is a high-wind advisory for the Puget Sound area tonight, with a forecast for gusts up to 70 miles per hour.
So how does Qwest Field play in the wind?
"I don't know, we haven't had any wind," Jim Zorn, the Seahawks quarterbacks coach, said after practice Wednesday.
This season, the Seahawks have played in heavy rain and even snow at Qwest -- both in night games against the Oakland Raiders and Green Bay Packers.
But high winds? The breeziest it has been since they moved into their new stadium in 2002 was 17 mph winds for the Oakland and St. Louis games this season.
That's barely a breeze compared with what is being projected for tonight.
"Wind changes a lot of stuff, if it's real, real windy," coach Mike Holmgren said. "Then it's a little more problematic when it comes to throwing the ball, or kicking it. That's the worst. That's worse than snow or rain."
The blustery conditions will put an even greater emphasis on pregame warmups, as Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and Alex Smith, his 49ers counterpart, adjust to throwing with and into the wind.
"The whole idea is cutting the wind with the ball speed," said Zorn, the Seahawks' original quarterback. "And then maybe controlling go-routes by lowering your trajectory a little bit."
The wind will swirl in the closed, or south, end of the stadium. It can be stronger in the open, or north, end.
"It will be fun," Zorn said. "It will just be a challenge."
49ERS HURTING: Linebacker and leading tackler Derek Smith and backup tight end Eric Johnson were declared out Wednesday for tonight's game. Smith (hamstring) and Johnson (knee) were injured Sunday against the Packers.
It was a costly loss for the 49ers, as cornerbacks Donald Strickland and Sammy Davis were placed on injured reserve Tuesday after also being hurt in that game.
Cornerback Shawntae Spencer, who has missed the past three games, was upgraded from questionable to probable and will start.
SECRET STUFF: Bobby Engram will play against the 49ers for the first time since being diagnosed with a thyroid condition after the fourth game of the season. As for how the Seahawks will use the veteran wide receiver, and how much, stay tuned.
"We have a plan, but it's very, very secretive," Holmgren said. "It's in the vault, and I'm not pulling it out until (tonight)."
DRESS CODE: After wearing a suit on the sideline for the 49ers' first game against the Seahawks in Week 11, what does San Francisco coach Mike Nolan have planned for his prime-time attire?
"It's a Speedo this week," Nolan cracked.
It won't be a suit, because Nolan and Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio were allowed to wear suits for two games. Now, they're back in Reebok-supplied garb.
"I did my two games, and we will see where that goes in the future," Nolan said.
HAWK TALK: Defensive tackle Rocky Bernard did not practice to rest a sore foot, but will start tonight. ... Left guard Floyd "Pork Chop" Womack missed practice after aggravating a groin injury in Sunday's loss to the Cardinals. Holmgren stopped short of ruling Womack out, but expect rookie Rob Sims to start. ... Defensive end Joe Tafoya took part in team drills and should be able to play despite straining a calf against the Cardinals. ...
Seahawks Notebook: What next, locusts?
Series of wacky weather now brings gusty winds to Qwest
KIRKLAND -- There is a high-wind advisory for the Puget Sound area tonight, with a forecast for gusts up to 70 miles per hour.
So how does Qwest Field play in the wind?
"I don't know, we haven't had any wind," Jim Zorn, the Seahawks quarterbacks coach, said after practice Wednesday.
This season, the Seahawks have played in heavy rain and even snow at Qwest -- both in night games against the Oakland Raiders and Green Bay Packers.
But high winds? The breeziest it has been since they moved into their new stadium in 2002 was 17 mph winds for the Oakland and St. Louis games this season.
That's barely a breeze compared with what is being projected for tonight.
"Wind changes a lot of stuff, if it's real, real windy," coach Mike Holmgren said. "Then it's a little more problematic when it comes to throwing the ball, or kicking it. That's the worst. That's worse than snow or rain."
The blustery conditions will put an even greater emphasis on pregame warmups, as Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and Alex Smith, his 49ers counterpart, adjust to throwing with and into the wind.
"The whole idea is cutting the wind with the ball speed," said Zorn, the Seahawks' original quarterback. "And then maybe controlling go-routes by lowering your trajectory a little bit."
The wind will swirl in the closed, or south, end of the stadium. It can be stronger in the open, or north, end.
"It will be fun," Zorn said. "It will just be a challenge."
49ERS HURTING: Linebacker and leading tackler Derek Smith and backup tight end Eric Johnson were declared out Wednesday for tonight's game. Smith (hamstring) and Johnson (knee) were injured Sunday against the Packers.
It was a costly loss for the 49ers, as cornerbacks Donald Strickland and Sammy Davis were placed on injured reserve Tuesday after also being hurt in that game.
Cornerback Shawntae Spencer, who has missed the past three games, was upgraded from questionable to probable and will start.
SECRET STUFF: Bobby Engram will play against the 49ers for the first time since being diagnosed with a thyroid condition after the fourth game of the season. As for how the Seahawks will use the veteran wide receiver, and how much, stay tuned.
"We have a plan, but it's very, very secretive," Holmgren said. "It's in the vault, and I'm not pulling it out until (tonight)."
DRESS CODE: After wearing a suit on the sideline for the 49ers' first game against the Seahawks in Week 11, what does San Francisco coach Mike Nolan have planned for his prime-time attire?
"It's a Speedo this week," Nolan cracked.
It won't be a suit, because Nolan and Jacksonville coach Jack Del Rio were allowed to wear suits for two games. Now, they're back in Reebok-supplied garb.
"I did my two games, and we will see where that goes in the future," Nolan said.
HAWK TALK: Defensive tackle Rocky Bernard did not practice to rest a sore foot, but will start tonight. ... Left guard Floyd "Pork Chop" Womack missed practice after aggravating a groin injury in Sunday's loss to the Cardinals. Holmgren stopped short of ruling Womack out, but expect rookie Rob Sims to start. ... Defensive end Joe Tafoya took part in team drills and should be able to play despite straining a calf against the Cardinals. ...
