Hawks Notebook | At heart, Hill is still Falcons fan

KIRKLAND — Leroy Hill grew up in Haddock, Ga., a small town about an hour outside of Atlanta, and rooted for the Falcons.

The Seahawks linebacker admitted he still does, even though he's on another NFL team that happens to be playing Atlanta at the Georgia Dome this Sunday.

"I still hope they do good, unless they play us," Hill said. "[Michael] Vick sort of messed up the whole situation down there for them ... but I've been a big Falcon fan my whole life."

Vick is the Falcons quarterback who is serving a 23-month sentence for his involvement in a dogfighting ring.

Hill is kept abreast of the Falcons' saga by friends and relatives back home.

"But I still cheer for the Falcons," he said. "It's not a good season, but everybody knows why."

Hill's favorite Falcon was Deion Sanders, the former defensive back who also played for baseball's Atlanta Braves. He also liked former running back Jamal Anderson in the late '90s.

"That was my era right there," Hill said. "We did the Dirty Bird and all that. I might bring it back out if I can do something good."

The Falcons were a fun team in those days. Anderson and former tight end O.J. Santiago led the way in the celebration dance that took the NFL by storm in 1998, the year the Falcons went to the Super Bowl.

Hill had no problem getting tickets for his family and friends, as the Falcons aren't exactly packing in fans these days. But Hill isn't the only Seahawk headed down South to play before friends and family in the region.

Safety Deon Grant and wide receiver Deion Branch, tight end Will Heller and offensive guard Mansfield Wrotto are also Georgia natives.

Hasselbeck will play

Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, who needs just 23 yards to set the franchise season mark of 3,842 passing yards, will start Sunday. He set the record of 3,841 yards in 2003.

Hasselbeck isn't likely to play the entire game, based on observations from practice and how many snaps some of the backups got this week. But he should play enough to set the record.

"It's fun to play quarterback," Hasselbeck said. "If I had to play nose tackle all day or something like that it might be different. ... I'm healthy and I'm feeling pretty good, so I would like to play."

Coach Mike Holmgren was aware that running back Shaun Alexander was close to the NFL season rushing touchdowns record in 2005, and he called plays to help Alexander break it on the final Sunday at Green Bay.

Injury update

Holmgren said unless there is an injury concern, everyone who can will play Sunday. Defensive tackle Rocky Bernard (groin) and linebacker Niko Koutouvides (knee) remained in Seattle, and left tackle Walter Jones (shoulder) and Branch (calf) made the trip to Atlanta and will be game-time decisions. All missed Friday's practice. Branch was injured in practice earlier this week.

Bobby Engram would start for Branch and Floyd Womack or Sean Locklear would play for Jones.

"With Niko, I don't know yet. The other guys will be there for the playoffs," Holmgren said.

Note

• Game balls from last week's win went to Hill (defense), FB Leonard Weaver (offense) and CB Kevin Hobbs (special teams).

José Miguel Romero: 206-464-2409 or jromero@seattletimes.com