KIRKLAND – Act III of the Brett Favre-Mike Holmgren trilogy takes place this Sunday, and the stakes have never been higher.
The Green Bay Packers quarterback and his former coach have already met twice, with vastly different results.
Holmgren’s Seattle Seahawks got the better of his student in a 1999 meeting, when four Favre interceptions led to the Packers’ 27-7 loss at Lambeau Field.
Favre got a dose of revenge almost three months ago, when he put on a near-flawless performance in a 35-13 win over the Seahawks. Favre completed 19 of 25 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns in that game.
Holmgren is hoping to see a different Favre when the teams square off Sunday in a first-round playoff game.
“Well, we probably shouldn’t do what we did last time,” Holmgren said of his plans to contain Favre. “He was very good that day. You play against great players and you just hope for the best and rally your team around.”
Holmgren has had a lot to do with Favre’s success, having spent seven years tutoring him in Green Bay. While some outsiders prefer to believe that the two had a frosty relationship, Holmgren insisted Wednesday that his memories are positive.
“People have this impression that he and I were like oil and water,” Holmgren said. “And, really, that couldn’t have been further from the truth. It really couldn’t. We had a wonderful relationship.”
Favre has been quoted as saying that he tried to push his former coach’s buttons, leading to a few heated conversations between the two. Holmgren did admit that he pushed Favre to his limit while they were together.
“I coached him hard, sometimes probably too hard,” Holmgren said. “To be honest, probably a little too hard at times. My motives were always correct, I think, because he was a talented, talented young guy, and I didn’t want anything to go wrong.”
Favre played down the talk of his relationship with Holmgren.
“It’s another game,” the Packers’ quarterback said. “Obviously it’s a playoff game so the stakes are high. I’m sure from his standpoint he’s going to field questions of that nature, but when we kick off it doesn’t matter.”
Rhodes to D.C.? The Washington Redskins have reportedly asked for permission to talk to Seahawks defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes about their head coaching position.
Rhodes, who is in his first season with the Seahawks, is not expected to meet with Redskins officials until after Seattle is eliminated from the playoffs.
Washington head coach Steve Spurrier stepped down earlier this week, and the Redskins are looking at a number of candidates. Rhodes was a head coach in Philadelphia and Green Bay before spending one year as the Redskins’ defensive coordinator in 2000.
One more week: Seahawks offensive line coach Tom Lovat is living on borrowed time these days.
Lovat, who turned 65 on Sunday, will retire whenever the Seahawks’ season ends. He announced his retirement prior to the 2002 season, to be effective to the end of this year.
“It’s a bonus now,” Lovat said. “It’s something you look forward to. Every game’s a sudden death now, and I’m looking forward to it. I’m excited.”
This weekend will be extra special for Lovat, who spent seven of his 24 years in the NFL as a Packers assistant.
Despite his delicate future, Lovat doesn’t expect the Seahawks to rally around him with any win-one-for-the-Gipper speeches.
“They probably wouldn’t do that,” he said. “They’d say, ‘Get his (butt) out of here.’”
Quick slants: Five Seahawks sat out Wednesday’s practice to rest injuries. Linebacker Chad Brown (foot), wide receiver Darrell Jackson (ankle) and defensive end Chike Okeafor (ankle) are expected to play Sunday. Defensive tackle Rocky Bernard (toe) is listed as questionable, while starting left guard Chris Gray (knee) is expected to miss the entire postseason. Floyd Womack will start in his place. … The Packers’ injury report includes starting cornerback Mike McKenzie, who is questionable due to turf toe. McKenzie did not practice Wednesday. … Injuries to Donald Driver, Robert Ferguson and Javon Walker left the Packers with just two healthy receivers for Wednesday’s practice. Antonio Chatman and Antonio Freeman were the only available players at that position, while the other three are expected to play Sunday.
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