Seahawks Notebook | Shaky debut for Hawks' secondary

MINNEAPOLIS — Seattle's secondary was not a primary concern entering this season.

The Seahawks allowed a league-low 15 touchdown passes in the regular season last year, and returned everyone to the defensive backfield after re-signing cornerback Marcus Trufant.

But Minnesota completed five of its first six passes in the first quarter against Seattle's starting secondary on Friday and scored on a 6-yard pass to fullback Thomas Tapeh.

Seattle's defense forced five fumbles Friday and recovered four of them, but Vikings starting quarterback Tarvaris Jackson completed 7 of 10 passes in the first half for 108 yards. He had a quarterback rating of 138.8, which was higher than all but one game he has played in his previous two years.

"We have to tighten up some coverage things," Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said. "While we created some turnovers, I thought we missed a couple tackles."

Trufant struggled in particular. Bernard Berrian caught a 24-yard pass against Trufant in the first quarter, and Trufant's missed tackle allowed Bobby Wade to gain 28 yards on a third-down play in the second period. Trufant was penalized for pass interference in the end zone after knocking Sidney Rice down, the penalty resulting in a first-and-goal for the Vikings at the Seattle 1. Minnesota scored a touchdown three plays later.

Center of attention

Steve Vallos started at center, and played well considering he hadn't played the position at all until a college all-star game in 2007, and the only snap he made last season came in an exhibition game and resulted in a fumble.

But with Chris Spencer out because of a sore back and Chris Gray retired, Vallos was the starter, and he sealed off a hole nicely on Morris' 20-yard run on Seattle's first possession.

"Considering he wasn't a center until three weeks ago, I'd say he did fine," Holmgren said. "He did well. I'm very proud of the job he did."

Just for kicks

Olindo Mare got all the placekicking opportunities Friday in Minnesota, and Brandon Coutu handled the kickoffs. Mare kicked three extra points and two short field goals, making a 21-yarder in the first quarter and a 20-yarder in the fourth. Coutu's first-quarter kickoff bounced at the Minnesota 10, but he put his second kick in the end zone.

Green machine

Defensive tackle Howard Green intercepted a pass for the first time, and he took that ball with him all the way back to Seattle.

Green intercepted a pass that was tipped by Seattle tackle Kevin Brown on the game's final play, capping a great day. Green had two sacks and continued to distinguish himself at a position thinned by injuries to Red Bryant, Larry Tripplett and Marcus Tubbs.

Bumping along

Michael Bumpus, a rookie free agent from Washington State, led the Seahawks' receivers with three catches for 51 yards. Jordan Kent caught an 18-yard touchdown pass.

Neither Courtney Taylor nor Ben Obomanu caught a pass.

Notes

• Seattle won its first exhibition game for the fifth time in the past six seasons.

• LB David Hawthorne, an undrafted rookie from TCU, forced two fumbles in Friday's game and stood out, but appeared to suffer a foot injury during the game.

• Seattle's coverage teams were not-so-special, allowing a 53-yard kickoff return in the first quarter and a 23-yard punt return in the second period.

• Seattle tackle Will Robinson, an undrafted rookie from San Diego State, suffered what appeared to be a high ankle sprain in the second half of Friday's victory.

• The following players did not dress for the game: C Chris Spencer, DE Patrick Kerney, WR Deion Branch, P Ryan Plackemeier, WR Logan Payne, S Jordan Babineaux, LB Matt Castelo, LB Will Herring, DE Nu'u Tafisi, OT Samuel Gutekunst, T Floyd Womack, DT Red Bryant, DT Marcus Tubbs, DE Chris Cooper, DT Larry Tripplett, LB Eric Wicks and CB Derrick Johnson. Tubbs, Branch, Plackemeier and Herring have not been cleared to practice this season.