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Fasten Your Chinstraps, Gentlemen More Experienced Seahawks Open Season Today Against Always-Tough Chargers

By Jim Meehan jimm@spokesman.com(509) 459-5585

It should be easy to tell the winner at the end of today’s Seattle-San Diego football game.

That would be the team still standing.

“We don’t do that bend-but-don’t-break stuff,” San Diego linebacker Lewis Bush said. “We set the tone for the offense.”

This will be the opener for both teams and, to borrow a phrase from announcer Keith Jackson, it promises to be a head-knocker this afternoon at Jack Murphy Stadium.

“Their offensive line has always been physical and that’s what makes them,” Seattle coach Dennis Erickson said. “That hasn’t changed.”

What has changed are some of the central figures in this AFC West contest. Four San Diego offensive linemen suffered knee injuries in preseason, though center Courtney Hall and tackle Troy Sienkiewicz are expected to play. Seattle linebacker Terry Wooden (hamstring) went down in the final preseason game and isn’t expected to play. Linebacker Michael Barber (knee) should be available.

The importance of a good start isn’t lost on the Seahawks, who were 2-6 at midseason last year. A 6-2 finish left Seattle as an also-ran.

These teams, who were among the best in the AFC at the end of ‘95, couldn’t have had more different offseasons. San Diego, which won five straight games before losing to Indianapolis in the opening round of the playoffs, had massive turnover. Seattle barely disturbed its nucleus.

In search of better chemistry - and in answer to the demands of the salary cap - the Chargers parted with, among others, Leslie O’Neal, Dennis Gibson, Ronnie Harmon, Natrone Means, Mark Seay and Shawn Jefferson.

“I’ll probably be laughed out of the league for saying this,” Chargers coach Bobby Ross told the Los Angeles Times, “but for me, character helps you win football games.”

So defensive end Marco Coleman was brought in to replace O’Neal. Linebacker Kurt Gouveia takes Gibson’s spot. Terrell Fletcher inherits Harmon’s specialties of being the third-down, pass-receiving back. Etc, etc.

Seattle, meanwhile, felt its core players just needed more exposure to second-year coach Dennis Erickson’s system. Coming off a 3-1 preseason and productive training camp, Erickson seems pleased with the results.

“We’re better than we were a year ago going into the opener, without a doubt, just because we know where to line up a little bit,” Erickson said, only half kidding. “Everybody knows what they’re doing.”

Mirer’s performance will be of particular interest. “I’ll be concerned if we struggle (against San Diego),” Erickson said.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Color photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: HAWKS VS. CHARGERS The game: 1 p.m. in Jack Murphy Stadium Coaches: Seattle: Dennis Erickson, 8-8, second season. San Diego: Bobby Ross, 39-25, fifth season The series: San Diego leads 19-15 The line: San Diego by 4-1/2 On the air: NBC with Jim Lampley and Bob Golic. KXLY (920 AM) with Steve Thomas and Steve Raible.

This sidebar appeared with the story: HAWKS VS. CHARGERS The game: 1 p.m. in Jack Murphy Stadium Coaches: Seattle: Dennis Erickson, 8-8, second season. San Diego: Bobby Ross, 39-25, fifth season The series: San Diego leads 19-15 The line: San Diego by 4-1/2 On the air: NBC with Jim Lampley and Bob Golic. KXLY (920 AM) with Steve Thomas and Steve Raible.