Hasselbeck, 'Hawks missing 'automatic' connection

RENTON, Wash. (AP) — Matt Hasselbeck sure could use an automatic right now.

The Seahawks quarterback went to the Pro Bowl three times and the Super Bowl once with Bobby Engram as his invaluable, trusted wide receiver for most of this decade. The two read each other's minds during plays. They spent summer vacations together in Central Washington working out as their families played.

Then Engram left in free agency last spring.

Now Hasselbeck is struggling to develop a similar connection with T.J. Houshmandzadeh, Seattle's big-money replacement for Engram. The pair spent time after practices during the bye week.

But as the new star's repeated complaints about not getting the ball show, he and Hasselbeck haven't fully meshed. Neither has the Seahawks' season.