SAN DIEGO - After playing just the opening series of the first preseason game against the Chargers, Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is perfect with his 158.3 rating.

During the drive he led Sunday, Hasselbeck completed four of five passes for 65 yards as the Seahawks marched 79 yards in eight plays, culminating with Hasselbeck's 31-yard touchdown pass to Deion Branch.

Sure, it was only the first preseason game. Sure, it doesn't count toward the standings or rankings. But the Seahawks' first-team offense sustaining a long, successful drive against the Chargers' first-team defense in their lone encounter has to count for something, right? That depends on whom you ask.

To defensive end Luis Castillo, it matters.

"I'll say this about preseason games," Castillo said. "As much as they're preseason games and they don't count toward the rankings, you still have that pride about every time you step on the field. We weren't happy with the fact that we went out there and weren't at our best."

To cornerback Quentin Jammer, it doesn't.

"There's no significance in it," Jammer said. "They came out, they're a good football team, and they scored on their first drive."

To linebacker Shawne Merriman, it's about putting it into perspective.

"You don't want to let those things happen, but if you base too many things off the preseason, you won't have a successful season," Merriman said. "Preseason games are all about getting on the same page and doing things differently, just trying to do it the right way."

Of course, the Seahawks' opening drive wasn't without quirkiness or question.

On first-and-10 from Seattle's 47-yard-line, Hasselbeck attempted a pass over the middle that nose tackle Jamal Williams deflected. But the ball landed in the hands of Seahawks guard Rob Sims, who motored forward for 16 yards.

Two plays later, Hasselbeck threw an interception to cornerback Drayton Florence, but it was nullified when Florence was flagged for defensive holding on intended receiver D.J. Hackett.

"That was a huge play," Chargers defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell said. "One official on top of it says nothing, and the guy who's a ways away throws the flag. The guy who is 4 yards away, looking right at it, thinks it's a good play, and drops his beanbag. But then it comes back. You can't overlook that play."

Two plays after the called-back interception, Branch broke free for his touchdown because of a breakdown in coverage between Jammer and safety Marlon McCree, who didn't provide help over the top.

Therein lies the consensus: The Seahawks' drive was more a result of Chargers' mistakes than Seattle's good plays.

"It was nothing they did," Jammer said. "The pass rush, the secondary, the linebackers, it was all on us. They didn't trick us or do anything that we didn't think they were going to do. They just went out and scored."

Added Merriman: "Now we've looked at the film from the first preseason game, know the things we got to correct, and got to come out and do it better against the Rams (on Saturday)."

Coach Norv Turner said the starters will play the first half against St. Louis, which possesses an explosive passing offense that differs greatly from the Seahawks' dink-and-dunk attack. Quarterback Marc Bulger, running back Stephen Jackson, and receivers Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce present a formidable challenge.

What the Chargers can stop against the Rams will go a long way toward gauging where the defense stands.

"It's going to help because with their passing, they love to go up," Cottrell said. "(This game) will be a good judge of our pass coverage and our pass rush. And I don't how much Stephen Jackson is going to play, but he's one of the best backs in the league. And he's a big guy. He's a force."

Chargers notes

WR Vincent Jackson practiced in the afternoon after skipping the morning session to allow the stitches between his right thumb and index finger to heal. Jackson said he cut his hand while catching a ball during pregame warm-ups on Sunday. Others who didn't practice in the morning but returned in the afternoon included DT Jamal Williams (foot), CB Steve Gregory (quadriceps contusion) and S Bhawoh Jue (knee). Ö WR Eric Parker, who could miss up to 10 weeks after having surgery on his right big toe on Aug. 3, attended practice on crutches and seemed in good spirits. "Every day is a day closer to getting back," Parker said. "I'm going to say that what they said was accurate. But I'm trying to get back ASAP." Ö LB Matt Wilhelm (strained right calf) took part in minor conditioning drills without the protective boot he had been wearing but said he won't play Saturday at St. Louis. Ö DE Igor Olshansky (groin and knee) returned to practice for both sessions. Ö LB Anthony Waters (knee), Marques Harris (shoulder) and Jyles Tucker (concussion) remained sidelined. Ö CB Antonio Cromartie practiced returning

kickoffs, and coach Norv Turner hinted at using him there this season. "We're getting him prepared." Turner said. "You won't see Cromartie in the preseason returning kicks, but at some point in the season he's getting ready to do it."

- Contact staff writer Simon Samano at simon_samano@yahoo.com.