Originally published April 12, 2011 at 7:44 PM | Page modified April 13, 2011 at 10:11 AM

Seahawks' 2011 exhibition games schedule released

The Seahawks will begin next season the same way they ended the 2010 regular season, which is nationally televised and in prime time.

By Danny O'Neil

Seattle Times staff reporter

The Seahawks will begin this season the same way they ended the 2010 regular season, which is nationally televised and in prime time.

At least that's the plan, according to the exhibition schedule announced by the NFL on Tuesday. The Seahawks are slated to play at San Diego at 5 p.m. Aug. 11, a game that will be carried by ESPN.

At least it will be if the league's first work stoppage since 1987 is sorted out by then. The NFL's players are currently locked out by the owners, with mediated discussions expected to resume later this week.

So there is at least the threat that football will be played this year in the NFL, as the league demonstrated with the release of its exhibition schedule.

Seattle will open at San Diego, host Minnesota on Aug. 20 at Qwest Field, play at Denver on either Aug. 26 or 27, then close out the exhibition schedule at home against Oakland on Sept. 2.

The Seahawks went 1-3 in exhibition games last season, their first under coach Pete Carroll. It was Seattle's first losing record in the exhibition season since 2002.

This is the sixth consecutive season Seattle will conclude its exhibition schedule against Oakland, and the sixth time in eight years the Seahawks are playing the Vikings before the regular season.

Draft viewing party

The Seahawks announced they will hold a free NFL draft viewing party for the first round on April 28.

The viewing party will be held in the theater at the Qwest Field Event Center, which is located between Qwest Field and Safeco Field. The Seahawks currently hold the 25th pick in the first round. The draft begins at 4:30 p.m., and teams are allotted 10 minutes per pick.

Admission is free, but fans must register in advance online at the team's website because of limited space. Drinks and appetizers will be available for purchase.

Danny O'Neil: 206-464-2364 or doneil@seattletimes.com

Comments (0) E-mail article Print Share