Coach entices team with extra day off deal if they win

By SCOTT M. JOHNSON

Herald Writer

KIRKLAND — As if a two-game winning streak heading into the bye week weren’t enough, the Seattle Seahawks have extra incentive for winning at Jacksonville on Sunday.

Coach Mike Holmgren has offered an extra day off or two next week if the Seahawks can head into their bye with consecutive victories.

"Even though he put a little incentive out there, that doesn’t mean too much," kick returner Charlie Rogers said. "We’re trying to get on track. It’s a start to a strong finish for us."

Following Sunday’s 17-15 win over the San Diego Chargers, it wasn’t a typical Monday in the Seattle locker room. Cornerback Shawn Springs was teasing teammates Jay Bellamy and Kerry Joseph on one end while the defensive line was having a spirited conversation at the other end.

After laughing with teammates, Rogers went and sat at his locker with an uncharacteristic smile on his face.

"It’s like that in any job. If you have a successful day, the next day’s going to be pretty good — no matter what you do," Rogers said. "That holds true here. You look around, and there’s activity and people talking. Before, when we were losing, there wouldn’t be anyone here by now."

Offensive woes … continued: The 128 yards of offense put up by the Seahawks on Sunday were the fewest ever by a Holmgren-coached team. The lowest output during his seven years in Green Bay was 158, in 1994. That game was an overtime loss, while Holmgren’s Packers beat the 1995 New York Giants 14-6 with just 198 yard of offense.

In fact, in 112 games under Holmgren, those were the only two games during which the Packers had less than 210 yards of offense. The Seahawks have finished under that mark three times in 10 games this season.

Quick slants: Kitna ranks 28th in the NFL in passing efficiency. His rating of 67.9 is better than only two other primary starters: Pittsburgh’s Kent Graham (66.3) and Cincinnati’ s Akili Smith (52.3). … Holmgren said wide receiver Sean Dawkins will be limited in practice this week because of a charley horse on his right leg. … Cornerback Willie Williams is scheduled to undergo an MRI after suffering his second stinger in as many weeks. … Rogers is the only Seahawk among the AFC’s top five in any category. He ranks third in punt return average (14.1) and fifth in kickoff return average (24.7).