HASSELBECK HOPES TO FOLLOW IN BROTHER'S PATH NFL.com Feature posted 04/19/01 By Matt Moss Tim Hasselbeck probably won't hear his name called on Saturday, the first day of the NFL Draft. In fact, he might not even get drafted at all. But what Hasselbeck does have is a plan, a person to look to to see how you can succeed in the NFL - either as a late-round draft pick or as a free agent. He just has to look to his older brother, Matt. Matt Hasselbeck was a sixth-round draft pick (187th overall) by the Green Bay Packers in 1998. Through three years of hard work and a couple of spectacular preseasons, the eldest Hasselbeck brother was able to become a hot commodity in the NFL this offseason, eventually getting traded to Seattle, where he has been anointed the Seahawks starter in 2001. "You need to make good decisions and manage the offense," said Tim about what it takes to make it in the NFL. "I think there is a big mental jump from college to pros and having Matt around has made the learning curve a little easier." Not only has Hasselbeck had his older brother around to give him tips about the NFL, both have had their father, Don, who was a tight end in the league for nine seasons with four different teams. "I was pretty young when my father played and he worked really hard," said Hasselbeck. "We practiced in the backyard all the time - he has helped me put it into perspective." A two-year starter at Boston College, Hasselbeck finished his collegiate career by quarterbacking the Eagles to a 31-17 victory over Arizona State in the 2000 Aloha Bowl. "The last two years in general have been great," he said. "To be able to get to back-to-back bowl games seemed to be a fantasy. To be a part of turning the program around, beating Notre Dame at Notre Dame, that is something special." The 6-foot-1, 210-pounder might not have the strongest arm or the biggest physical presence, but he brings a lot of intangibles to the field - smarts, toughness and athleticism. "I think that I'm knowledgeable about the game," said Hasselbeck. "I've been around it my own life. I know how to manage the game as a quarterback. Hopefully someone will be interested in me come April 21. I know I need to work to get better - I saw what my brother did - he worked hard in everything." Hasselbeck was one of the few quarterbacks who participated in all the drills at the NFL Combine in February. "It was a good experience," he said. "I had a good time and by the end I was exhausted. I was one of only three quarterbacks there the entire five days. I talked to a lot of coaches and got myself more exposure. "I think I benefited from it. If they wanted me to do linebacker drills I would have." So if you don't hear Tim Hasselbeck's name called on draft day, don't count him out. He just has to look to his older brother to see how to get it done. "I can be someone that just doesn't get on a team in the league," he said. "I feel that I can be a starter and win games. Maybe not in my first year and maybe not in my fourth but I want to take my brother's approach and try and just get better." THE HASSELBECK FILE Height: 6-1 Weight: 210 Position: QB School: Boston College Career statistics: 300 completions, 555 attempts, 4,112 yards, 32 TDs Notes: Threw for 209 yards and two TDs against Arizona State in the 2000 Aloha Bowl; Had 355 yards passing in a 48-7 victory over Navy on Sept. 23, 2000; Threw for 272 yards and three TDs in Eagles 1999 upset of Notre Dame; Younger brother Nathanael will be a freshman at Boston College this fall. courtesy NFL
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