Hawks tight end Pollard gets a grip

The Seahawks' return to Qwest Field on Saturday required an introduction.

Well, more of a refresher course, actually. Seattle might not remember what consistency looks like at tight end.

Marcus Pollard caught three passes in a span of four plays during Seattle's only touchdown drive of the first half, gained 38 yards and at no point in the evening was he pulled over.

Yes, it's a new era at tight end in Seattle after five years of unfulfilled expectations at that position. That's how long the Seahawks waited on Jerramy Stevens' potential, hoped for his progress and endured his problems. All that patience produced one season with more than 35 receptions. The page turned this season, and on Saturday Pollard grabbed hold with both hands and — most important — held on.

"Strong hands, taking the ball from the guy," quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said. "It really could have gone either way, incomplete or complete."

Pollard's catches weren't the most spectacular part of Seattle's 30-13 victory over the Minnesota Vikings. Ben Obomanu scored his second touchdown in three exhibition games, Kevin Hobbs returned an interception for a touchdown and the Seahawks defense showed it's still susceptible to the trick play.

But looking ahead to the regular season, Pollard's performance was the most important sign of progress for Seattle.

Tight end stood out as the biggest question in Seattle's training camp. The Seahawks started out thin at the position and quickly going bald. Ben Joppru hurt his hip, Will Heller went down with an ankle injury and Leonard Stephens injured his ankle, too.

Pollard caught one pass each of his first two exhibition games, and he found himself wondering in the first half of Saturday's game whether this game would be any different.

"It has been a slow grind all preseason," said the 6-foot-3, 255-pound veteran from Bradley, "not getting a chance to make any plays. I'm sitting over on the sideline, thinking, 'Am I going to get any shots tonight?' And just when I said that, we get the ball and I get three plays in the same series."

First, he caught a 24-yard pass down the middle while matched up against Minnesota linebacker E.J. Henderson. He caught a pass for 4 yards on the next play. Two plays later, another catch and another first down after a gain of 11 yards.

The Seahawks signed Pollard the very day Stevens was arrested in Arizona. Now Stevens is trying to make Tampa Bay's roster and awaiting a Sept. 5 trial for driving under the influence. Saturday, Pollard needed just one drive to show the Seahawks their tight end spot is in good hands.

Two very good hands, in fact.