Holmgren names offensive, defensive captains
Published 9:00 pm Wednesday, September 5, 2001
By Scott M. Johnson
Herald Writer
KIRKLAND – One of the ongoing problems that has plagued the Seattle Seahawks during coach Mike Holmgren’s tenure has been a lack of leadership. Holmgren thinks he’s found a way to shore up that problem this year.
For the first time in his 10 years as a head coach, Holmgren has chosen captains for the entire season. His tendency has been to pick captains on a game-by-game basis, but Holmgren opted to alter the plan this year in an effort to infuse some leadership into the team.
“After two years of waiting for it naturally to happen, I wanted to put it on some guys,” Holmgren said.
Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, running back Ricky Watters and offensive lineman Robbie Tobeck will serve as the offensive captains this season, while Levon Kirkland, Marcus Robertson and Chad Brown will represent the defense.
Holmgren said Brown was an easy choice after a discussion the two had at the end of last season. Brown essentially offered his services as a captain.
“I told him I would love to do anything to help,” Brown said Wednesday. “At the time he was talking big about leadership, and I said, ‘If you think I’m capable, I’m willing to help.’ That was the extent of the conversation. I didn’t walk around and collect votes: ‘If you elect me captain, I will promise to extend lunch break.’ It was nothing like that.”
Kirkland and Robertson were brought in via free agency for a number of reasons, including their leadership abilities.
In addition to going onto the field for the coin toss, the captains will also serve on a players’ committee, which is essentially a sounding board between the players and Holmgren.
Congrats, bro … now get out: Making the Seahawks’ final roster was quite a thrill for rookie tight end Russell Stewart, but now the product of Stanford University and Bellevue’s Newport High School might have to begin house-hunting.
Stewart has spent the summer chasing his NFL dream while living with his older brother, Dan, and Dan’s girlfriend in Seattle. Now that he’s locked up a spot on the roster – and a $209,000 contract – Russell can afford to live on his own.
“I don’t know if he still wants me living with him, or if he wants me paying rent,” Stewart said. “I offered to start looking around for a place of my own. But it’s nice to have the support of family and friends.”
Stewart, an undrafted rookie, was the most unlikely addition to the Seahawks’ roster. He entered training camp as the No. 5 tight end, buried behind four players who were with the team last year. But after catching seven passes in four preseason games, Stewart edged out James Hill and Scot Osborne for a roster spot.
“I never considered myself a long shot,” Stewart said. “Even when I was in high school, I wasn’t nationally recruited, but I went in and proved myself in college. Coming out of college, I wasn’t a big-time recruit either, so I just knew I had to prove myself again.”
Despite his surprising addition to the team Sunday, Russell and his brother didn’t exactly paint the town in celebration.
“We just had a barbecue, just me and him and a couple of his friends,” the Seahawks’ newest tight end said. “It was pretty low-key.”
Injury report: In addition to injured cornerbacks Ike Charlton, Shawn Springs and Willie Williams, none of whom will play this Sunday, the Seahawks have two players on their injury report.
Tackle Chris McIntosh is listed as questionable with a neck stinger, while defensive end Lamar King is probable with a foot injury. Neither McIntosh nor King practiced Wednesday.
Cleveland will be without defensive end Courtney Brown (knee), while wide receiver Dennis Northcutt (clavicle) is listed as doubtful.
Quick slants: Holmgren is trying to avoid his third season-opening loss in as many years with the Seahawks. He went 5-2 on opening day while coaching the Green Bay Packers. … Sunday’s game at Cleveland will be televised on CBS (Channel 7). Kickoff is scheduled for 10 a.m. Pacific time.
