KIRKLAND – Watching NFL games on Sunday wasn’t just torturous to fans of the Minnesota Vikings; it also left some of the Seattle Seahawks pulling their hair out.
Sure, the Seahawks were elated when New Orleans, Miami and Cleveland lost, thereby assuring them a postseason berth. But it took a while for them to get a straight answer as to where they would play in the first round.
Fox studio analyst Howie Long reported that the Seahawks would travel to Minnesota for a first-round playoff game well before the Vikings lost to Arizona. That sent Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren into preparation mode, as he started devising a game plan against the Vikings.
“Then all of a sudden, I rip that up, and on to the next one,” said Holmgren, who couldn’t watch the Minnesota game at the Seahawks’ facility because his DirecTV card was not operating.
Holmgren eventually learned that the Seahawks would travel to Green Bay to play the Packers on Sunday at 10 a.m. Pacific time.
Had it not been for losses by the Vikings and Dallas, Holmgren might have had to rely on Denver to beat the Packers for Seattle to get into the playoffs. Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, with nothing on the line, sat most of his starters for the Denver-Green Bay game.
After spending the morning shopping with his family, Holmgren watched part of that game before going to work.
“I was glad that we didn’t need Denver to win that game,” he said, “because I didn’t recognize a lot of those players that were playing for Denver. (Shanahan’s) Christmas present, I was about ready to mail it, and then … “
Gray feeling blue: Veteran guard Chris Gray currently has a 74-game starting streak – the longest among Seahawks offensive linemen – but won’t be suiting up for any playoff games.
The 33-year-old lineman suffered a partial tear in the medial collateral ligament of his right knee during a field goal attempt early in the second quarter of Saturday’s win over San Francisco. He is expected to be hobbled four to six weeks, meaning he is out for the season.
“That’s a part of football,” Seattle’s most durable offensive lineman said with a shrug Monday. “Of course, I want to go out there and play. It’s the second time with the Seahawks that I would have gone to the playoffs and played, so of course I wanted to be out there. But I’ve played 11 years now, and I realize that’s just part of the game.”
Gray suffered from ankle problems while with the Miami Dolphins early in his career but has essentially remained injury-free in Seattle. He took over as the starting center midway through the 1999 season and has started somewhere on the offensive line in every game since.
His streak could continue in the 2004 season opener, as playoff games don’t count.
Floyd Womack will replace Gray in the starting lineup Sunday.
Kind words: Holmgren pulled aside wide receiver Koren Robinson on Monday morning to congratulate him for the game-winning touchdown reception in the win at San Francisco.
Robinson’s diving 30-yard reception gave the Seahawks their first lead in a 24-17 victory over the 49ers.
“Koren Robinson’s catch was as nice a catch as he’s made all year, and we needed it,” Holmgren said. “Give him credit for that.”
Robinson, who caught the pass in the corner of the end zone while somehow dragging both feet in bounds, was appreciative of his coach’s kind words.
“That lets you know you’re appreciated in your craft, that you’re not just another face in the business,” Robinson said. “It’s good to hear, especially when it comes from Coach Holmgren. That shows he really appreciated it.”
Loves to be hated: Seahawks defensive tackle John Randle has played 10 games at Lambeau Field, where he is considered one of the most reviled opposing players. Yet he has no animosity for the Green Bay fans.
“I know I’m not one of the most popular guys, but the fans in Green Bay know how I compete, and they respect that,” Randle said. “It’s not like I go there and get any MF’s or anything like that.”
Final stats: The Seahawks finished the season ranked sixth in the NFL in offense and 19th in defense.
Their top individual performers included quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (fourth in the NFC in quarterback rating, 88.8) and running back Shaun Alexander (fourth in the NFC with 1,435 rushing yards).
Quick slants: Rather than a typical Friday departure for games played in another time zone, the Seahawks will leave on Saturday this week. The change in routine is designed to help the team reverse a regular-season trend that saw the Seahawks go 0-6 in games that started at 10 a.m. Pacific time. … Holmgren said the team will be monitoring the hamstring injury of starting strong safety Reggie Tongue, who played Saturday but was inactive the previous week. Everyone else except Gray is expected to be available this week.
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