Warner Is Back, but Seattle Still Relies on Its ‘D’

Coach Chuck Knox is too much of a fundamentalist to be caught talking Super Bowl in September, but those who follow the Seattle Seahawks closely sense great expectations among the players.

All the Seahawks have to do to fulfill their grandiose expectations is force as many turnovers as they did last year and win the AFC West. If they accomplish the first objective--as they did last season, taking the ball away from opponents 24 times more than they relinquished it--they should be in pretty good shape with respect to finishing ahead of the Raiders, Broncos, Chiefs and Chargers in football’s toughest division.

“People say we should be a Super Bowl team this year, but right now we’re not as good as we were at the end of last season,” Knox said. “Of course, we’re hoping with Curt Warner 100% again (after a knee injury), we can be even better this year.”

As a rookie in 1983, Warner led the AFC with a Seattle-record 1,449 yards while leading the Seahawks to the playoffs for the first time in franchise history. After he was hurt in the season opener last year, the Seahawks became an even better team with the development of quarterback Dave Krieg, who passed for 32 touchdowns, second only to Dan Marino.

As exceptional as are Krieg and Warner, it’s the overall effectiveness of the Seahawks at avoiding turnovers of their own and forcing them by the other side that really sets Seattle apart.

“We don’t run a high-risk offense and we try to really protect the ball,” Knox said. “Defensively, we work a lot on pressuring the quarterback, stripping the ball and forcing turnovers. We were plus-24 in turnovers and scored 152 points as a result last year.”

The Seattle defense, so punishing to ballhandlers, features the familiar front threesome of Jacob Green, Joe Nash and Jeff Bryant, abetted by linebacker Shelton Robinson and strong safety Kenny Easley.

The Seattle defense, which set a club-record 55 sacks last year, had three in a season-opening, 24-24 win over Cincinnati.

Against the Bengals, Krieg threw three touchdown passes for the ninth time in his career. Warner ran for 66 yards on 17 carries and scored the game-winning touchdown, and wide receiver Steve Largent made five catches for 81 yards, giving him a streak of 108 games with at least one reception, most by an active receiver.

If there was ever any doubt about the return of Warner, Knox said there is none now. “The doctor told us he had a successful repair of his knee, so I never had doubts,” Knox said. “But I do understand what a real fight a player has to make to come back from a serious knee injury, and I have a lot of feeling for what it takes.

“I can tell you, Curt is now as good as I remember him being in 1983, and that’s a real impact player any time he gets his hands on the ball.”

Charger Coach Don Coryell is highly impressed with the Seahawks, citing the return of Warner, the pugnacious defense and the Seahawks’ high confidence.

The Chargers are coming off a less-than-satisfying 14-9 win over Buffalo in their opener a week ago.

The offense, in which Coryell was disappointed, has lost Curtis Adams, who appeared to be the most promising runner, for 4-6 weeks with a knee injury. Filling in for him will be Tim Spencer, Anthony Steels, Lionel James and the newly-signed Anthony Corley.

The Chargers also will be unveiling a new placekicker in Bob Thomas, who is taking over for the injured Rolf Benirschke. A severe groin strain has sidelined Benirschke for at least four games.

The Charger defense was perhaps the highlight of the season opener. Despite permitting 377 passing yards, the defense didn’t allow a touchdown--a statistic that left defensive coordinator Tom Bass with a positive feeling.

“Points are what beat you. Nobody ever got beat 400 yards to 200 yards,” he said.

A couple of San Diego linebackers are banged-up. Linden King has a contusion of the quadriceps muscle, while Mike Green has a broken hand. Both are expected to play today.

The Chargers, 19-6 in regular-season home openers, will be making their first appearance in their new all-white uniforms.