For seven Hawks, Pro Bowl victory takes sting out of Super loss

HONOLULU — They could have ended this thing early, given all 50,190 fans something for their time, and called it a day.

Maybe people hung around to see the Backstreet Boys' halftime show. Maybe they actually believed the play of the NFL's best players would improve in the second half. Or that the players on the field were taking an all-star game seriously.

They really weren't. In any case, the NFC defeated the AFC 23-17 in Sunday's Pro Bowl at Aloha Stadium in a game that was more about fun and hijinx than strategy and execution.

"We all had a feeling it might go that way, with the lack of preparation we put into it," Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said of short practices during the week that lasted no more than 35 minutes each.

"We were just trying to go out there and let playmakers make plays, and some guys on offense made plays and some guys on defense made plays."

Offensive miscues ruled a rain-soaked first half and much of the drier second half. Peyton Manning, the AFC's starting quarterback, threw three interceptions. Hasselbeck, the NFC starter, threw one and fumbled a snap from center.

In fact, all six quarterbacks committed at least one turnover and threw more than their share of bad passes that, if not picked off, were incomplete.

Seahawks in the Pro Bowl

QB Matt Hasselbeck: Started and played the first three series of the game before being relieved by Atlanta's Michael Vick. Struggled with accuracy in first two drives. Returned in the fourth. Completed 10 of 17 passes for 85 yards and an interception. Was sacked twice and had a passer rating of 47.4.

T Walter Jones: Started and played most of the game. Played some at right tackle. Was never beaten for a sack.

G Steve Hutchinson: Started, played the first two series of the game and was rotated in on subsequent possessions. Spent significant time at right guard.

FB Mack Strong: Came in during NFC's first offensive series. Caught two passes for 17 yards and had one carry for no gain.

C Robbie Tobeck: Started second half and played for the duration.

LB Lofa Tatupu: Made tackle on opening kickoff and finished with NFC-high six tackles on defense, including one for a loss and one for no gain.

RB Shaun Alexander: Took part in pregame warmups but did not play on his sprained right foot and watched from the NFC bench. "If I was sore, then I wasn't going to do it," he said after the game.

José Miguel Romero

Penalties slowed the pace of the game. The NFL's best defensive linemen had their way with the best offensive linemen for much of the game, and passes and interceptions were dropped.

Still, somebody had to win. It was the NFC all-stars for just the second time in the past six years. The biggest motivating factor for victory seemed to be the $40,000 share for each player on the winning team, as opposed to $20,000 for the losers.

Left guard Steve Hutchinson said the Seahawks had extra motivation.

"For the Seattle guys, our last game was a loss in the Super Bowl," he said. "It's kind of nice for us to get back on the winning side of a football game. It kind of takes the sting out of it."

But it wasn't like the players on either team were going all out for a game generally treated more as an exhibition than as a play for pride.

"Backyard," Hasselbeck said, describing the game. "A little sloppy at times, but some of the most exciting plays I saw all year."

The Seahawks' seven-man contingent, the most Seattle has had since 1984, drew a loud cheer from the fans in pregame introductions. Only running back Shaun Alexander did not play, as he opted out of the game to rest his sprained right foot.

The only Seahawk to stand out was rookie linebacker Lofa Tatupu, who pleased the island faithful with a team-high six tackles, plus two more on special teams.

"It's a great thing to be a part of," Tatupu said. "You really hope that all of your teammates can experience this. I'll never forget this. I just hope there's more of it in my future."

Fullback Mack Strong logged the second-most seasons (13) before making a first Pro Bowl appearance. Only former San Francisco guard Ray Brown put in more time (16 seasons) before playing in his first Pro Bowl.

"It's a great experience, a great feeling to be in the locker room with all these guys," Strong said. "It's been a great week, and we won. That's what you want to do."

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