Seahawks' Branch goes zero to hero

Connect the dots between these impressive statistics and it creates an outline of a receiver getting more comfortable in the offense and developing a better rapport with his quarterback.

That was apparent on his long reception against the 49ers, when pressure forced Hasselbeck to throw the ball inside rather than outside -- and late.

"Deion went and got it," offensive coordinator Gil Haskell said. "He's playing the game, which is nice."

The same savvy was obvious a week earlier on a third-and-10 play against the Bengals. Hasselbeck looked first to slot receiver Bobby Engram, then to Branch. With each drawing double coverage, Hasselbeck scrambled to his right.

"Deion, without hesitation, busted it hard inside and just created something out of nothing; became a football player," Hasselbeck said. "Really, we were on the same page and it was a huge play for us."

It came on the drive to Seattle's game-winning touchdown.

These are the kinds of plays the Seahawks need Branch to make, especially after they traded Jackson.

Branch also needs to come up big in Pittsburgh, because one of the best ways to prevent the Steelers from crowding the line of scrimmage to stop Shaun Alexander is for Hasselbeck to hit Branch -- and Engram and split end Nate Burleson -- with quick throws into the flat and also on vertical routes on the perimeter.

"Everything is based on opportunity," Branch said. "We practice these plays so much and so hard. Hopefully we get the same look in the game that we got in practice. If we hit it in practice, hopefully we'll hit it in the game."

When that look is suddenly jumbled by the defense, that's when the unspoken communication between quarterback and receiver kicks in.

"Matt and I are getting there," Branch said. "There will always be room for improvement."

Like going from shut out in Week 1 to lights out in Week 4.

SEAHAWKS AT STEELERS

WHEN/WHERE: Sunday, 10 a.m., Heinz Field, Pittsburgh

TV/RADIO: KCPQ/13; KIRO-AM/710

FOCUS ON: KEVIN HOBBS

After special teams standout Alvin Pearman tore a knee ligament during Sunday's victory in San Francisco, the speculation Monday centered on whom the Seahawks would sign to replace him.

In the end, they signed cornerback Kevin Hobbs -- to replace top draft pick Josh Wilson. The rookie is expected to miss only a week or two because of a sprained ankle, but his absence left the team with only three cornerbacks.

Enter Hobbs, who was on the practice team. His primary role against the Steelers on Sunday will be replacing Wilson on special teams. Hobbs also is working in practice as the fourth cornerback in the dime defense.

"Hobbsie knows our stuff, and it is an easy transition," coach Mike Holmgren said Wednesday. "Josh is not going to be gone a long time, but it was the best choice to make."

He'll get no argument from Hobbs, who entered training camp as an afterthought corner but outlasted others to earn a spot on the practice squad and now the 53-man roster.

"I'm just elated right now," Hobbs said. "I didn't know this was coming. I've been waiting for this my whole life. Now I've just got to go play football like I know how."