By Scott M. Johnson
Herald Writer
KIRKLAND – The holidays did nothing to temper Mike Holmgren’s mood. From the moment he sat down for his weekly Wednesday press conference, the Seattle Seahawks’ coach looked as if he were ready to rupture a blood vessel.
The first irritation was Sunday’s 27-24 loss to the New York Giants – a game that the Seahawks appeared to have in hand before a last-minute touchdown put the game and playoff possibilities in serious doubt. Things only got worse in the days that followed, as Holmgren found out that cornerback Shawn Springs might not be back as soon as expected, and that quarterback Matt Hasselbeck will probably miss Sunday’s game at San Diego – and possibly the season finale as well – because of a shoulder injury.
The overabundance of bad news put the Seahawks’ head man in quite a mood.
“I think we’re all a little frustrated right now,” safety Reggie Tongue said. “That (loss to the Giants) was a hard one to get over. I don’t think you can take a game like that and just put it behind you.”
The loss was only the beginning of Holmgren’s problems. He could not hide his displeasure Wednesday, when the seasons of his star cornerback and young quarterback each took another unexpected turn.
Springs was supposed to be back this week from a four-game NFL suspension after violating the league’s policy on anabolic steroids and related substances, but he is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game because of a hamstring injury that he suffered during a private workout last week. That information left Holmgren visibly perturbed Wednesday.
“I don’t care that he is back in the locker room. I need him on the field,” Holmgren said. “I’ve needed him on the field all season. I have enough guys in the locker room.”
Holmgren went on to voice his displeasure at the suspension that has left Seattle without its top cornerback since Nov. 27.
“If you look at the games we’ve lost,” Holmgren said, “how many times could you say (the opposing team) picked on our rookie corners? Think about it. It’s very disturbing to me. I hate to say one guy could have made a difference in our season, but I think you could make a pretty good case if you really analyzed it.”
As for Hasselbeck, the Seahawks’ starting quarterback is not expected to play this week because of a slight separation in his left shoulder. Like Springs, Hasselbeck is listed as questionable on the team’s injury report, meaning there is a 50-50 chance he would play against the Chargers. Holmgren was less forgiving, saying that he fully expects Trent Dilfer to be the starter in Sunday’s game.
Hasselbeck has been hampered by a slight separation of his non-throwing shoulder since an Nov. 11 victory over Oakland, and the injury got so bad in Sunday’s loss that he had to take an extra shot of a pain-killer called Marcaine at halftime. Team trainers had injected pain-killers into the shoulder before each of the past six games.
During Sunday’s loss to the Giants, the injury spread to Hasselbeck’s clavicle, and the pain got much worse during the flight home.
But he hasn’t given up on playing this weekend.
“I’m going to try to play Sunday,” Hasselbeck said. “(Team doctors) all tell me I’m crazy, and the coaches have all counted me out, but I’m going to try.
“No matter what happens with the playoffs, we’re establishing a foundation here. We’ve got a good thing going. We’ve got some young players who have been asked to play probably before they’re ready. But I know these last two weeks have made us better as a team, and these next two weeks are huge for us. If we win, we’ve got some momentum going into the offseason, we’ve got that good feeling going about the Seattle Seahawks. … This is big for us. Playoffs or no playoffs, I’m going to treat it that way.”
Holmgren was much less optimistic about Hasselbeck’s availability Sunday.
“There is a chance I might have him available to play in an emergency situation,” Holmgren said. “Trent will get the start.”
Dilfer enters the starting lineup with a 13-game winning streak that includes last year’s playoff run while he was with the Baltimore Ravens. He hasn’t lost as a start since Oct. 29 of last year.
This season, the Seahawks beat Jacksonville and Denver with Dilfer as the starter, while Hasselbeck has gone 5-7 at the helm. Despite his success, Dilfer has accepted his role as backup quarterback without any public objection.
But the 29-year-old is eager to get back behind center for the first time in almost eight weeks.
“It’s a different beast,” Dilfer said of starting. “Anytime you’re in the game, it’s exciting and there’s an adrenaline that flows. That’s something I’ll count on this Sunday.”
As for Springs’ possible replacement, that is still up in the air. Second-year player Ike Charlton started in his place last week, but left the game in the fourth quarter because of cramping. Rookie Ken Lucas worked with the first team at Wednesday’s practice.
Holmgren was able to temper his emotions Wednesday when asked about the big picture. He said he still has faith in Hasselbeck, despite the quarterback’s less-than-overwhelming first season in Seattle, and added that the team has shown signs of progress this year.
“There’s a lot to be pleased about with this football team,” Holmgren said. “It’s been very frustrating in terms of we haven’t been able to get over the hump; that has been a frustration. And last Sunday was just a gut-wrenching thing. But there is a lot of light at the end of the tunnel, I think. Now, does that make me feel any better after the game (last) Sunday? Not immediately, but …
“I’m telling you, we’re going to be fine. We’ve got a lot of good, young people to build a team around.”
And when the subject turned back to Springs, his demeanor grew despondent again.
“Shawn Springs, I’m mad at right now,” Holmgren said. “He’s still one of my favorite guys that I’ve ever coached, though. I love him. But he’s like my kids: I get mad at them, too. There was a way to avoid this, I think. Now we’re smarter, wiser. It didn’t help us this season, but I hope it helps us in the future.”
NOTES: Contrary to what was reported here Monday, the Seahawks actually have two scenarios in which they could qualify for the postseason. Seattle needs to win its final two games against San Diego and Kansas City, and would need either Baltimore or the New York Jets to lose back-to-back games. … Defensive end Lamar King (doubtful with a strained calf), linebacker Marcus Bell (questionable, neck stinger), and fullback Mack Strong (probable, ankle) joined Hasselbeck and Springs on the Seahawks’ injury report.
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