Hawks Notebook | Engram thriving as prime target
KIRKLAND - If Bobby Engram can stay healthy, he’ll almost certainly shatter his career highs for receptions and receiving yards in a season.
The only thing that could stop Engram, it seems, is fatigue.
“He’s been phenomenal, he’s great, but he gets tired,” Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said.
Engram has 48 catches for 607 yards. The catch total is already higher than what he had in six of his 11 previous NFL seasons, and the yards are more than in six. And the Seahawks have played only eight games.
Engram, 34, has never had a 1,000-yard season. His career highs were 88 catches in 1999 and 987 yards in 1998, both with the Chicago Bears. He is 20 catches and 172 yards from season highs as a Seahawk and is on pace for more than 90 catches and 1,100 yards this season.
Engram is thriving, in part, because of injuries to Seahawks receivers Deion Branch and D.J. Hackett. But Engram has built years of rapport and trust with quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, who looks to Engram not just on third down, as in years past, but anytime he’s in the game.
“Bobby’s doing a nice job of doing double duty, playing his normal role and then also stepping up and filling in for Deion,” Hasselbeck said.
Engram made 14 catches, a career high, at Cleveland last Sunday.
“A lot of things went my way. My number was dialed up,” Engram said. “It was just one of those rare games. I think I prepare myself to have games like that every week, but the reality is we have so many good playmakers that the ball gets spread around.”
Said Hasselbeck: “I had no idea he had that many catches. In fact, from my point of view, he probably should have had 17 or 18 and another touchdown at least.”
When Branch returns from injury, Engram will likely return to his role as slot receiver and his numbers will decline. But for now, he is Hasselbeck’s prime target.
Engram missed nine games with a thyroid condition last season, but earlier this year came to Holmgren and said he wanted the ball thrown his way more and that he was feeling energetic again.
“He feels, after last season, he has things to make up for, and he wants it,” Holmgren said. “When Branch comes back, you know Branch is going to play. Bobby, he won’t be in for as many snaps, and I think it will even help his effectiveness.”
Reaction to Jackson
Will there be any reaction to the return of former hero Darrell Jackson? Will Seahawks fans shower the wide receiver with boos or greet him with cheers when the San Francisco 49ers come to town Monday night?
Jackson was shipped south for a fourth-round draft pick in April. He began the season as a starter but missed the Oct. 28 game and didn’t start last week because of a thigh injury.
The team seems to care little about the reunion.
“I couldn’t even tell you. I don’t know,” Holmgren said when asked about how fans might respond. “You guys know how I felt about Darrell. He seems to be happy. Players should enjoy playing the game. I don’t know.”
Hasselbeck didn’t know either.
“I don’t really care, to be honest,” he said. “Whatever. I’ll say ‘hi’ to him and then I’ve got to go play their defense.”
Notes
• The same 10 Seahawks who didn’t practice Wednesday missed Thursday’s session as well, including RB Shaun Alexander, Branch and DT Rocky Bernard.
• DE Jason Babin, who has appeared in just one game this season, got a few snaps with the first-team defense.
José Miguel Romero: 206-464-2409 or jromero@seattletimes.com