Notes: Record-setting return for Feagles

Put an asterisk by the number. Be bothered by the fact that the record will belong to a punter, who is only on the field for kicking plays . Remember the guy who holds the NFL record for most consecutive games played in a career, former Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jim Marshall.

And after Sunday, call New York Giant Jeff Feagles "Ironman."

Feagles, 39, is set to break Marshall's record by appearing in his 283rd straight game Sunday at Qwest Field. A former Seahawk who left after the 2002 season, Feagles is thrilled that he'll get the record in Seattle.

"Of all the places I could have gone to break it, it's pretty special that it's going to be Seattle," Feagles said. "I still have a lot of friends there, we still have a summer home there, and it would mean a lot to not only break the record, but to do it there. It's very ironic. I'd rather do it in Seattle than anyplace else."

Feagles has spent 18 years in the league, and there have been times when his streak of games was almost broken. The closest calls include a hit from Philadelphia Eagle Jeremiah Trotter after a punt last season that caused a concussion, and a broken arm suffered against Pittsburgh when Feagles was a Seahawk in 1999.

The Trotter play led to a league rule change to prevent punters and kickers being hit away from the play. The broken arm got an extra week to heal because the Seahawks had a bye. And the streak lived on.

In December 2002, N.D. Kalu of the Eagles roared through the line to thwart a Feagles punt and blast the unprotected punter to the turf at Qwest Field. The ferocious hit left Feagles feeling woozy and with an injured shoulder.

"You see the shoulder pads he wears," former teammate Matt Hasselbeck said. "He wears no pads in his pants and no mouth piece and barely has a face mask."

But Feagles played the next week. He credits visits to a sports psychologist and always trying to improve for lasting as long as he has in football.

"I've got to stay away from crosswalks this week," Feagles cracked.

Mack's truckin'

One of the keys to fullback Mack Strong's longevity in the NFL is that he stays in great shape year after year, making it impossible for the Seahawks to bid farewell to the veteran, now in his 13th NFL season.

His secret? It's multifaceted, but yoga and Pilates are certainly part of the formula.

Strong, 34, has been doing yoga off and on for the past three years. He started Pilates with his wife last offseason.

"I'd say on a minor scale, it has a lot to do with why I'm still playing," Strong said. "I just tried it [yoga], and when I started doing it three years ago, it was the best I ever felt."

The exercises have kept Strong flexible and in good cardiovascular health. They combat the soreness and stiffness he has felt from years of blocking and grunt work.

"You can't do what he does week in and week out and not be tough," coach Mike Holmgren said. "On Monday morning, when he gets out of bed, he has to feel like he was in a car wreck. I teased him for a couple years. I said, 'This is it. This is probably your last year.' Then he comes in in better shape then he was the year before. He's kind of like, 'You have to boot me out.' ... I love that about him."

Sack kings

The Seahawks are the NFL leaders in sacks with 34, one ahead of the San Diego Chargers and two ahead of the Indianapolis Colts.

"Right now it means nothing," said defensive end Bryce Fisher, who is tied for the team lead with 7 ½. "We need to be leading the league in Week 17. We've done a pretty good job out of our four-man [base], and the blitz is getting pressure."

Seattle had 24 sacks through 10 games last season and 36 for the entire year.

Notes

• The plan is to have defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes back in the coaches' booth for Sunday's game against the Giants, but Holmgren has yet to decide if that will be the case. Rhodes would assist interim coordinator John Marshall.

• TE Itula Mili made the play of the day in Thursday's practice, bringing down a pass over the middle with his left hand.

• CB Kelly Herndon collided with another player in practice and knelt on the turf trying to clear his head for a few moments afterward. He missed a few snaps but returned.

• Holmgren led a team prayer for Thanksgiving at the end of the shortened practice.