Coach sticks with Hasselbeck, but says cut the improv

  • Scott M. Johnson / Herald Writer
  • Monday, November 5, 2001 9:00pm
  • Sports

By Scott M. Johnson

Herald Writer

KIRKLAND – One day after throwing propane onto the smoldering Seattle Seahawks quarterback controversy, coach Mike Holmgren was quick to name his starter for this weekend’s game with the Oakland Raiders.

Despite a performance so poor that it led to a halftime benching in Sunday’s 27-14 loss to Washington, Matt Hasselbeck will be back behind center this week.

“As I analyzed how they both played in the ball game, there wasn’t a whole lot to choose there,” Holmgren said Monday. “If that’s the case, then I’m going to stick with Matt. He’s going to work through this, get better each week.”

Hasselbeck started Sunday’s game at Washington, but was benched in favor of Trent Dilfer mainly due to two key turnovers: an interception on Seattle’s second drive and a fumble at the end of the first half.

Afterward, Holmgren said he would decide later in the week whether Hasselbeck or Dilfer would start against the Raiders.

Holmgren said he opted for Hasselbeck “after I saw the film. I talked to (reporters) when I was very emotional (Sunday). After the game, I could say anything, I suppose, because I’m fired up.”

After spending about eight months touting Hasselbeck as the starter through thick or thin, Holmgren only recently wavered in his contention. He admitted two weeks ago that he could turn to Dilfer if Hasselbeck’s play did not improve, but not until Sunday did he actually make a move based solely on production.

Dilfer did not fare much better against the Redskins, although he did throw a touchdown pass to Darrell Jackson to bring the Seahawks within 13 points during the third quarter.

Hasselbeck’s quarterback rating dipped to 59.1, which ranks dead last in the NFL among the 32 quarterbacks who qualify. Dilfer has a rating of 84.0.

Despite his decision to give Hasselbeck his sixth start of the season, Holmgren said he is not looking toward the future.

“While I have talked about an overall plan to build, that plan is done in the offseason when you sign your free agents and you draft your players,” Holmgren said. “When you start your training camp and you start playing games, I don’t play games now to build for next year or the year after. I’m playing games now to win games now. So that doesn’t enter into it.”

Hasselbeck was despondent over his performance in Sunday’s loss, and is eager to get back on the field this weekend.

“I’m upset with myself,” said Hasselbeck, who completed 6 of 12 passes for 127 yards and two interceptions against the Redskins. “I feel like if I played better, we have a great chance to win that game. I’m upset with myself mostly. There were plays to be made, and some were made and some weren’t.”

The crux of Hasselbeck’s problem thus far has been his tendency to deviate from the play at hand. Holmgren admitted Monday that Hasselbeck’s improvisation led to his benching.

“One of his strengths right now is also one of his weaknesses,” Holmgren said. “He is a very bright, very creative thinker. He allows a million things to go through his mind on any one play, and I’m trying to simplify the game for him. He doesn’t need to do that, yet he insists on occasion on doing it.

“I’ve told quarterbacks this my whole life: ‘As a signal-caller and as a coach, I have to be able to trust you. If I call a play and we practice the play, you should execute the play that way. If you deviate from that play, you have to have a very good reason for doing it, otherwise I start to lose a little trust in you.’”

Hasselbeck said he saw a similar pattern in Holmgren’s relationship with Brett Favre while they were together in Green Bay. The difference there is that Favre is a seasoned veteran, not a quarterback who has just five starts under his belt.

“If he’s not seeing me do it on the field, he feels I’m not listening to him, and that’s totally justified,” Hasselbeck said. “I need to make sure that I can show it on the field.”

Despite the benching and anything else that has led to the quarterback controversy as of late, Holmgren said he still sees Hasselbeck as the Seahawks’ quarterback of the present and future.

“Let’s put things in perspective,” Holmgren said. “How many games has he played? Five, OK. That’s not very many games. He’s going to keep getting better, he’s learning, he’s taking his lumps, he’s growing. … I have no less confidence in Matt than when we first signed him.”

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