RENTON, Wash. (AP) -Seems Matt Hasselbeck had a pretty good idea Brett Favre would stay retired before his old friend let the rest of the world know.
Last month, Hasselback had a personal trainer come with him and his family on the Hasselbeck’s annual vacation to Central Washington.
“Yeah. We experimented with it last year where I shared him with this guy who was contemplating retirement,” the Seattle Seahawks’ quarterback said, with a coy smile. “So I didn’t have to share him this year. It was a little bit easier.”
How did Hasselbeck know his trainer wouldn’t also be with Favre, whom he used to play behind in Green Bay?
Hasselbeck just grunted at that.
The 33-year-old, three-time Pro Bowl passer looks leaner after losing eight pounds to get closer to 230.
No wonder he’s fit. Besides vacationing with a trainer, he swam in the Columbia River and crossed into Canada to work out twice a day with NBA star Steve Nash’s trainer to build up the core muscles of his torso.
ying new, outside-the-box things. At the end of the day I just worked a little bit harder,” he said. “I did different things and I made it a priority.”
Wide receiver Nate Burleson stopped his quarterback in the locker room Sunday before practice and asked him if he was wearing new practice pants over that torso muscle.
“Yeah, I went from a 38-long to a 36-short,” Hasselbeck said, proudly.
“Those two inches mean the world to him,” Burleson said after practice. “I’ll continue to compliment him so maybe I will get a few extra passes this season.”
Why all the work? The health of Hasselbeck, nine-time Pro Bowl left tackle Walter Jones, and two-time Pro Bowl defensive end Patrick Kerney are the keys to Seattle’s hopes of a rebound season.
Jones, 35, is coming off microfracture surgery in his knee. Kerney, 32, had a second shoulder operation in as many winters. And Hasselbeck, who turns 34 next month, had a bulging disk in back that cost him nine games in the worst season of his career.
Can all three stars to stay healthy this season?
“That’s the million-dollar question,” new coach Jim Mora said. “Let’s keep our fingers crossed, all of us.”
to Burleson in the opening game. Hasselbeck spent time as the lowest-rated passer in the league, and Seattle finished 4-12, its worst season since 1992.
That’s why Hasselbeck admits this offseason was probably his most important since he became Seattle’s starter for good in 2002 under Mike Holmgren. Now he’s got Mora, new offensive coordinator Greg Knapp and their run-first offense.
“Yeah, absolutely,” Hasselbeck said. “It’s obviously a new system. I didn’t play much last year. I had a tough injury. It was a very frustrating season.”
The frustration’s gone, along with the searing back pain. They’ve been replaced by the confidence he had entering last season, when he’d been to a Super Bowl and three Pro Bowls from 2004-08 and Seattle won four consecutive NFC West titles.
Last month, Hasselbeck engaged in a playful series of electronic jabs on his Twitter page with Darnell Dockett of the Arizona Cardinals, who dethroned Seattle in the division last season.
“Don’t call it a comeback,” Hasselbeck tweeted about his ’09 season. “I’ve been here for years.”
to a congenital condition.
Hasselbeck said Celebrini has taught Seahawks trainers methods to maintain a healthy back. One effective method was not getting hit by defensive linemen, and the Seahawks finally shut Hasselbeck down last season after the Cowboys mauled him on Thanksgiving Day. The preservation saved Hasselbeck from surgery.
Now, he has no limitations – or concerns.
“I am feeling good,” he said.
Burleson was more effusive.
“He looks great,” Burleson said. “The biggest indicator for me is how well he’s doing with his accuracy throwing the ball. He’s hitting every receiver in stride. That’s impressive, especially this early in camp.”
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