Hawks’ promise remains just that for another year

Shaun Alexander scratched his chin and stared straight ahead, a small grin beginning to form on his young face.

“The Greatest Show on Earth, something like that,” Alexander said, starting to nod his head. “Or maybe 21 Gun Salute.”

During a down moment at the Seattle Seahawks’ recent training camp in Cheney, the then-23-year-old running back was trying to come up with a nickname for his team’s young offense.

“We’re going to be very explosive,” Alexander promised.

Perhaps. One day. But for now, it’s still growing time.

If it seems like the Seahawks have been rebuilding for Mike Holmgren’s entire tenure here, that’s because they have. Now things finally seem to be taking shape, but the postseason is still a long shot at best.

Holmgren knew his so-called “plan” was going to take time, but not this much time. It took two years just to get a nucleus.

Now that the Seahawks have one, the growing pains are just beginning.

Sure, there are reasons for fans to get excited. Matt Hasselbeck had another strong preseason and has given every indication that he will be the team’s quarterback of the future. Wide receiver Darrell Jackson is coming off a season in which he led all rookies with 53 receptions. And Koren Robinson, the ninth overall pick in the April draft, has the potential to become a big-play receiver in the Seahawks’ version of the West Coast offense.

But these kids are all young, and inexperienced. For every flash of brilliance from Seattle’s offensive arsenal, there will be at least one mistake. That’s what happens when you’re still learning how to play the pro game.

To his credit, Holmgren isn’t making any predictions this year. He only hopes to improve upon last season’s disappointing 6-10 mark. More than anything, he wants to set up the foundation.

Next year is the year when this team will find its true identity. By 2002, the Seahawks will have a new division, a new downtown stadium, and – as team president Bob Whitsitt admitted this summer – possibly even new uniforms.

By then, the team might also have a new running back. That’s when Alexander will most likely make his debut as the Seahawks’ starter. But even before that happens, he wants to figure out a nickname.

“For the team,” Alexander said. “I’ll have a bunch of them for myself by the time I’m done, I don’t worry about that.”

All in due time. Once again, the Seahawks and their fans are going to have to be patient for another year.

Seahawks at Browns

Kickoff: 10 a.m. Sunday at Cleveland Browns Stadium

TV/radio: CBS (Channel 7), KIRO (710 AM) and KQBZ (100.7 FM)

Stars to watch: Seahawks – QB Matt Hasselbeck is making his first start in an NFL regular-season game. RB Ricky Watters could very well be making his final season-opening start in a Seahawks uniform, as his contract expires after this season. DT John Randle signed a five-year, $25 million deal in March and is expected to help shore up the team’s pass rush. OLB Chad Brown has benefited from the free-agent signings and should be able to rush the passer more.

Browns – QB Tim Couch is returning after missing most of the 2000 season with a broken thumb. WR Kevin Johnson hopes to rebound from a subpar season and regain the form he displayed as a rookie in 1999. OLB Dwayne Rudd comes over from the Minnesota Vikings to give a boost a defense that ranked 26th in the league last season. DT Gerard Warren was the third overall pick in the April draft.

Breaking down the game: Something has got to give. The Browns had the worst offense in the league last season, while the Seahawks had the worst defense.

Of course, help has arrived for both. The Seahawks will have six new starters on defense, including four high-priced veteran free agents, and Cleveland welcomes the return of Couch, who spent most of last season on the injured list.

Despite bringing in a new coach, the University of Miami’s Butch Davis, Cleveland has similar problems. Its running game will probably struggle behind rookie James Jackson, and the defense is playing without cornerstone Courtney Brown.

Seattle has some question marks of its own, most notably the untested Hasselbeck, a young receiving corps, and a secondary riddled with injuries. But don’t expect the Seahawks to pull another season-opening dud like last year in Miami.

Pick: Seahawks, 27-17.

Injury report: Seahawks – CB Ike Charlton (knee), CB Shawn Springs (hamstring) and CB Willie Williams (forearm) are out; T Chris McIntosh (neck stinger) is questionable; DE Lamar King (foot) is probable. Browns – DE Courtney Brown (knee) and DT Marcus Spriggs (forearm) are out; WR Dennis Northcutt (clavicle) is doubtful; S Marquis Smith (hand) is questionable; WR JuJuan Dawson (hand) is probable.

Little-known fact: Cleveland’s Butch Davis doesn’t have a very tough act to follow. Of the last nine coaches who have gone directly from college to the NFL, only three have earned a victory in his first game: the New England Patriots’ Dick MacPherson in 1991, the St. Louis Rams’ Rich Brooks in 1995 and the San Diego Chargers’ Mike Riley in 1999. The Seahawks got drubbed 34-10 by Kansas City in Dennis Erickson’s 1995 debut.

St. Louis at Philadelphia, 10 a.m. Sunday: What better way to break in an overhauled defense than to take on MVP candidate Donovan McNabb? The Rams’ new D will get tested right away, and should be up for the challenge. Kurt Warner is back, which is bad news for the rest of the NFC. Pick: Rams, 34-24.

Miami at Tennessee, 5:30 p.m. Sunday: Fans of high-scoring, offense-minded football would be wise to turn to the national news instead. This one is going to be ruled by people like Zach Thomas, Jason Taylor and Jevon Kearse. Pick: Titans, 10-6.

Arizona vs. bye: Cardinals fans finally have an opponent with which they can identify. Arizona has gone into Week 2 with an 0-1 record for each of the past nine seasons … but not this year. Pick: Cardinals.