Higgins sparks game with return

SEATTLE -- For fans, members of the media, even many players, it can be hard to manufacture excitement over the fourth exhibition game. Starters generally play a series or two at most, and much of the action is a blur of meaningless handoffs.

But Johnnie Lee Higgins got happy. The rookie wide receiver and return man made the move of the night, and it didn't come between the goal lines. After taking Ryan Plackemeier's punt at the 10-yard line, Higgins -- one of the fastest draft-eligible players at the 2006 NFL scouting combine -- burst up the middle, made one cut past Plackemeier and virtually skipped into the end zone.

Higgins then set himself apart from the typical, non-gymnastic NFL athlete by executing a perfect cartwheel and backflip in the end zone.

The Raiders' returners have been recording some highlights recently. Against the Rams on Aug. 24, Chris Carr had an 80-yard kickoff return, and Higgins had a 54-yard punt-return touchdown that was called back by a holding penalty.

EXTRA POINTS

DE Derrick Burgess, DT Warren Sapp and CB Nnamdi Asomugha all sat out the game.

RB Dominic Rhodes' four-game suspension officially begins today. He played in three of the Raiders' four exhibition games, including Thursday's contest, but cannot practice with the team or attend meetings until after the Dolphins game in Week 4.

Stanford Routt was the Raiders' first nickel back. B.J. Ward and Hiram Eugene had taken the honors while Routt recovered from a knee injury during the first three exhibition games.

DT Anttaj Hawthorne jumped offside on a fourth-and-1 play in the second quarter, giving the Seahawks a first down.

Joe Fernandez, the Seattle rookie who is getting a look as a kick returner, is the son of former Raiders wide receiver Mervyn Fernandez. Mervyn played in Los Angeles from 1987-1992.

Tyler Fredrickson scored a rare kicking trifecta while doing the dirty work for Sebastian Janikowski and Shane Lechler. He attempted a field goal, punted and even let loose with a free kick after the Seahawks scored a safety.

Rookie T Mario Henderson was guilty of two false starts.

WR Todd Watkins worked out with the Raiders on Wednesday. A 6-2, 191-pounder from BYU, Watkins had been released by the Cardinals on Monday. He played with QB Alex Smith and RB Reggie Bush at Helix High School in San Diego.

You can reach Staff Writer Phil Barber at 526-8672 or phil.barber@pressdemocrat.com.