Injury bug bites hard in Seattle loss

The Seattle Seahawks had two major problems in their 23-10 loss in San Francisco to the 49ers.
The biggest and most damaging long term was the rib injury that sent Matt Hasselbeck from the game in the waning moments of the first half.
The largest short term problem was a stunning inability to stop Frank Gore.
Gore ripped off touchdown runs of 79 and 80 yards that were enough by themselves to defeat the Hawks.
If you remember our quick picks,you may recall our thoughts on the main obstacle to a Seahawk win was being able to stop Frank Gore.
They didn't and they lost.
The 1-1 Seahawks host the Bears next Sunday....

Puget Sounds

1) Matt Hasselbeck went to the hospital with a fractured rib from the hit from Patrick Willis and basically ended the contest for Seattle.
Hasselbeck was uncertain for the Bears game,but if I was Jim Mora,I would be preparing for having to use Seneca Wallace in the matchup.

2) Hasselbeck is not the best quarterback in the league,but I would wager that he is in the top few of the most important in the league.
Seneca Wallace adds to your offensive package with being able to throw and catch the ball,but he is not someone that I am comfortable with as the second QB.
Hasselebeck turns 34 on Friday and the injury issues are becoming more of a pattern.
Seattle needs to bite the bullet and draft a young passer in the draft next season.
And no,not another David Greene or Mike Teel type either.

3) Lofa Tatupu tried to play,but didn't last long with his hamstring injury.
I liked what I saw from replacement David Hawthorne and Hawthorne will need to continue to play way considering his inexperience (2nd year) along with rookie Aaron Curry as starters.

4) 2008 first rounder Lawrence Jackson showed his potential with a two sack day with a forced fumble to boot.
Jackson has all the physical tools to succeed in the Seahawk defensive line rotation as a pass rusher off the end and it was encouraging to see the USC product play so well.

5) More injuries as Josh Wilson and Sean Locklear sprained ankles and Justin Griffith injured a knee.
Griffith will miss a major part of the season,so second year man Owen Schmitt will need to develop quickly if the running game is to stay decent.
Wilson is a double loss,considering his kick returning along with being the top corner with the loss of Marcus Trufant.
Locklear's loss could mean the early return of Walter Jones,but that may be worse news for Seattle,if Jones re-aggravates his injury and misses more time.

6) The difference in the offense when Wallace is under center is substantial.
Look at the numbers-15 for 23,but only 127 yards.
Teams are able to play tighter on the receivers because they know Wallace is incapable of beating them deep or even over middle range.
This also drops the effectiveness of John Carlson as there is less room over the middle for Carlson to maneuver around the linebackers.

7) Other than a 14 yard run by Justin Forsett,the Seahawks were unable to run the ball,which was a huge contrast to the Rams game.
Forsett finished with 35 yards,the second highest rusher?
Matt Hasselbeck with 12.
Yuck.

Sorry,there is not more on this one,but only so much time to review tape and Seattle always ranks third in that race,Sorry to my Seahawk readers...

Back later with the worst and most venomous post of the bunch-the Browns pounding in Denver.

Photo Credits
Gore:Marcio Sanchez:AP Photo
Hasselbeck:Ben Margot:AP Photo