Wallace creates intriguing options in Seattle

By Connor Byrne  |   Monday, June 12, 2006  |  Comments( 1 )

Seattle Seahawks
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Not many teams in the NFL are blessed to have a player who can be used as a utility weapon, but the Seattle Seahawks are. That player is Seneca Wallace, a guy who has the skill to play a little quarterback and a lot of receiver, while keeping the Seahawks' offense among the elite in the league.

The former Iowa State star quarterback was selected in the fourth round of the 2003 draft by the Seahawks, who had the idea of utilizing him mostly as a wideout. In the beginning the 5-11, 196-pounder was reluctant to play anything but quarterback in the pros. Lately, he's come around, since his best chance to make any sort of impact is to fill a multi-talented role for the defending NFC champs

Wallace continues to be listed as a QB on the Seahawks' depth chart, but it doesn't mean he'll play much of that position. Veteran Pro Bowler Matt Hasselbeck has it on lockdown, so Wallace's best hope is to throw the occasional pass on a trick play. Undoubtedly, head coach Mike Holmgren and offensive coordinator Gil Haskell have more than a few tricks up their sleeve for the 25-year-old.

Last season, Wallace's only playing time in the regular season came at quarterback, as he completed 13-of-25 pass attempts for 173 yards, one touchdown and one interception. His efficiency rating was a paltry 70.9. Thanks to his below-average size, there isn't much of an NFL future for Wallace as a quarterback. Instead, with his size and 4.53 speed, receiver is his best option.

The only time Wallace has lined up at receiver for the Seahawks came during the team's victory over the Carolina Panthers in January's NFC title game. Wallace entered the game and made a tremendous 28-yard reception, which helped set the stage for Seattle's 34-14 blowout victory.

Despite that, Holmgren isn't ready to give Wallace many reps at wideout this summer, until the team can sign a dependable backup quarterback to free him. Since Hasselbeck is the Seahawks' only true viable option at the position, it leaves the offensive coaching staff in limbo. At the moment, a dependable veteran QB isn't on the market, so Seattle's in quite a conundrum.

Holmgren would love to move Wallace to wideout full time, but it just isn't going to happen anytime soon. The Seahawks' best bet would be waiting until the end of the preseason to find a reliable, aged quarterback to be their number 2. However, that would be a problem because the player wouldn't fully understand the team's offense, and Wallace wouldn't have gotten enough snaps as a receiver.

Unfortunately for Wallace, who just wants to get on the field, Holmgren came out and stated that the three-year veteran's chances of playing receiver in 2006 are slim and nil, if the team doesn't sign a quarterback before their training camp begins in late July.

Rather than wasting Wallace's copious amounts of talent, the Seattle Seahawks' smartest move is to give him a role to confuse defenses, which would include throwing, running and receiving. Pro offenses tend to run at least one trick play each week, and that's where Wallace's presence could be felt most.

The Steelers defeated the Seahawks in February's Super Bowl with a receiver, Antwaan Randle El, who threw a 43-yard touchdown pass in a 21-10 victory.

In today's league, a multi-dimensional player is always useful, as long as he's got the talent. Wallace does, so put him in, coach.

--Connor J. Byrne can be reached at cbyrne@realfootball365.com

Get more on Seneca Wallace and the Seattle Seahawks at Realfootball365.com
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