| A proven winner, former Green Bay
coach Mike Holmgren owns an NFL-best 48-16 record from 1995 to ’98. It’s an
impressive stretch that includes two NFC championships and a Super Bowl victory, but one
that left Holmgren desiring more in the way of off-the-field decision-making authority.
Regardless of having been elevated to living-deity status in the state of Wisconsin and
beyond, a power trip took him from Titletown USA, where only fond memories and a street
named in his exaltation remain. Now, after becoming the highest-paid football coach ($32
million for eight years) ever, his official job title with the Seattle Seahawks is long
enough to fill both sides of a business card. He is the team’s executive vice
president of football operations, general manager and, oh yes, head coach. According to
the Seahawks’ media guide, "Holmgren will oversee all facets of the team’s
football operations including scouting, personnel, salary cap, player negotiations, as
well as regular coaching responsibilities."
Rome wasn’t built (or, in this case, rebuilt) in a day, and neither will the
Seahawks. They have not been to the playoffs since winning the AFC West in 1988. Double
eights seem to be their number as they have gone 8-8 in three of the past four seasons.
With a 1-1 start this season, they appear to be holding course, but things could be
worse.
Already without the services of their biggest impact players on both sides of the ball,
holdout WR Joey Galloway and injured LB Chad Brown, the Seahawks met Chicago in Week Two
on the low-riding wings of a Holmgren-era home-opening defeat. Also lost in the defeat to
Detroit was nickel back Fred Thomas, out for the season with a broken right fibula.
Holmgren was quick to act, signing veteran S Merton Hanks to a one-year, $400,000 deal
plus incentives. Hanks, from the University of Iowa, made four consecutive trips to the
Pro Bowl (1994-97) while with the 49ers.
"No question we’re happy to have him," said DB coach Ken Flajole, who
also came from Green Bay. "He’s had very productive years. Merton is a
tremendous player, and we can use his experience and leadership."
Last season the Seahawks’ defense led the NFL by scoring 10 touchdowns, eight of
which came on interception returns. "I thought I was going to get one today,"
said LCB Shawn Springs after defeating the Bears 14-13 without the aid of any
interceptions. What Springs did do, however, was recover a Curtis Enis fumble in the
Seahawks’ endzone, snuffing out the Bears’ opening drive.
Chicago WR Curtis Conway, coming off a nine-catch outing in Week One, entered the game
needing nine more receptions to surpass Neal Anderson on the Bears’ all-time
reception list. Thanks to tight, effective coverage by Springs, he finished with three.
"Their offense isn’t tough to figure out," said Springs, who was voted
to the Pro Bowl in his second year last season. Although the Bears showed enough
razzle-dazzle in befuddling the Chiefs’ defense in Week One, Holmgren tipped
officials before the game to look for illegal blocks downfield.
"It was ugly, real ugly," said Holmgren, referring to his team’s play in
the first half. After looking fortunate to only be trailing by 13, the Seahawks made the
proper adjustments. CB Chris Canty, who was waived by the Bears and claimed by Seattle on
Sept. 6, came up big. Being in the right spot at the right time, he nearly had two
interceptions, batted away three passes and was in on a tackle.
"I’m never bitter about those types of things," Canty said about playing
against his former team. "I thank them for giving me an opportunity for showing what
I can do in the preseason. Now I’m a Seahawk, and everything is Seattle."
But just how much did having previous firsthand knowledge of the Bears’ offense
come into play?
"From being in camp, you kind of remember things, but most of that came watching
film," Canty said. "You never forget what guys can do. I went against Curtis
(Conway), Marcus Robinson and every one of them, and you remember how they are going to
come off the line and how they run their routes."
Playing in rotation with S Kerry Joseph, Canty said it was the coaches’ decision
as to when he was used. "Chris is a pretty smart kid, and we put him in a situation
where he could help us the most," said Flajole. "He has nice quickness and
complements our dime package. He definitely contributed to the win."
Holmgren added, "I thought Chris did a great job; there’s always a little
edge when you go up against your former team."
Making a double debut, Hanks had one of the biggest defensive plays on a sack for a
loss of 11 yards. "This is the first time I’ve played in Soldier Field, which is
surprising since I’ve been in the league nine years," Hanks said.
Two others who had been released by the Bears, one now a Seahawk, one a Bear again,
determined the game’s outcome. WR Fabien Bownes scored the game-winning touchdown on
a 49-yard touchdown pass, and Bears PK Brian Gowins, who had been released the previous
week only to be brought back, missed a 48-yard field goal with 13 seconds remaining.
"It almost feels like 1992 again," Holmgren said, referring to the first time
he narrowly defeated the Bears in Soldier Field. Eleven straight wins over Chicago later,
Holmgren is just happy to have his first victory with Seattle. "It says something
about the character of our guys; they battled back. The defense hung in there against some
pretty interesting stuff. We won a close one, and it’s sweet.
"That’s a credit to our coaches. My staff worked hard this week. The players,
they leave at 5 o’clock," Holmgren joked. "Seriously, you have to
understand the mentality of defensive coaches. Unless you’re in the I-formation with
two tight ends, they’re going to say, ‘Hey, what’s going on here?’ We
have our first win, and we’re going to get it going."
Looming large with Seattle fans is where the Seahawks will be going. In Weeks 10
through 16, Seattle plays AFC West rivals six times. Before that, however, is the highly
anticipated Nov. 1 Monday-night game in Green Bay. Will Holmgren’s return be
heralded, or did his departure solidify ex-communication by the Cheeseheads? |
