By Scott M. Johnson
Herald Writer
KIRKLAND – For all the formations and schemes and play-calling that go into a football game, Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said Sunday’s loss to the Washington Redskins came down to one factor.
“We were flat,” Holmgren said Monday. “We didn’t play with enough enthusiasm.”
Now the goal is to prevent that from happening again. It’s a conundrum that might give Holmgren some sleepless nights this week.
“I wish I had an explanation,” he said. “It’s a frustration for me. There’s no anticipating it. I thought we had good practices during the week. We had a normal meeting schedule. But it happened. Clearly, it happened. And you will lose. You will lose when you’re not ready to play. Anybody will lose.”
Holmgren said he talked to the team Saturday night about the week leading up to Super Bowl XXXII, when his Green Bay Packers were preparing to play an underdog Denver team. The Broncos eventually won that game, which Holmgren said had something to do with the fact that the Packers never believed Denver was a great team.
The message didn’t set in with the Seahawks, who played the Washington game as if they were looking past their opponents.
Holmgren said he talked to the team immediately before the game, but didn’t deliver a passionate speech.
He hopes to find a way to fire his team up for future games.
“We’ve had kind of an up-and-down season to say the least,” Holmgren said. “And maybe that’s the type of team this is this year. Because of our immaturity in some areas, maybe we’ll be like that. I hope not, but maybe we’ll be like that. The goal is to get a consistent level of play each week. And clearly we’re not there yet.”
Randle won’t need surgery: Holmgren said the playing status of defensive tackle John Randle is still to be determined, but the knee injury Randle suffered in Sunday’s loss is not as serious as originally believed.
“That was really good news,” Holmgren said.
Randle sprained his left knee during the fourth quarter.
If Randle cannot play Sunday against the Oakland Raiders, Antonio Cochran would be the probable choice to start in his place.
Three locals among award finalists: Newell “Bud” Smith of Edmonds, Dan Donaldson of Everett, and Bob Bailey of Mill Creek are among the 10 finalists for the Seahawks’ Community Quarterback Award, which recognizes community and youth volunteers in the 32 NFL markets who demonstrate leadership, dedication and a commitment to bettering the community in which they live.
The Seattle-area winner will be announced at a luncheon this Sunday.
Seahawks hosting Special Olympics: The Seahawks will host a Special Olympics Football Clinic this Saturday at their Kirkland facility. The one-hour clinic will begin at noon, with linebacker Isaiah Kacyvenski serving as the honorary coach.
For more information, call Sandy Gregory at 425-827-9777.
Quick slants: Holmgren said he might switch back to Chris McIntosh as the starting right tackle this week, depending on the second-year offensive lineman’s health. McIntosh has been hampered by a neck stinger, and was replaced by Todd Weiner in the starting lineup Sunday. … The Seahawks, who entered Sunday’s game with the fifth-ranked run defense in the NFL, are now 15th. … Running back Shaun Alexander has gone from 176 to 142 to 87 to 60 rushing yards over the past four weeks. … Center Robbie Tobeck played Sunday’s game with an undetermined virus, but he said he felt fine on Monday.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
