GREEN BAY, Wis. – After what might have been his final game in a Seattle Seahawks uniform, cornerback Shawn Springs made the kind of slip-up that usually requires a longer cleat.
Springs, a pending free agent after seven years in Seattle, was asked whether he believes the Seahawks have reason for optimism heading into next season.
“They’ve got some good young players,” he said, “so I think they are on the way up.”
The use of the word “they,” instead of “we,” was conspicuous enough to draw a follow-up question. Springs said not to read anything into it, that he hadn’t closed the door on his Seahawks career yet. But the choice of pronouns spoke loudly about whether he thinks he’ll be back.
“You never know,” the 28-year-old Ohio State University product said. “Obviously, my contract is up. If my career is done in Seattle, that’s fine. And if not, that’s fine too.
“I guess the organization’s got to do what’s best for the organization, and I’ve got to do what’s best for me. We’ll see what happens from there.”
Springs was the third overall pick in the 1997 draft, and he signed a seven-year deal shortly thereafter. His tenure as a Seahawk has been bittersweet, with a Pro Bowl appearance in 1998 followed by several injury-plagued years.
The thing that has bothered Springs the most in Seattle has been the fact that the Seahawks have played just two postseason games during his seven-year career.
“I’ve had seven years in Seattle, and they’ve been great for me,” he said after his second playoff appearance, a 33-27 loss to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. “I’ve had some good times, and some bad times. But for the most part, I’ve enjoyed it.”
Springs might be expecting a big contract in the offseason, but injuries have affected his play so much that he might not get the payout he desires. He missed the first four games of the regular season because of a broken bone in his right shoulder, then was benched for two games at midseason because of inconsistent play.
Springs had a strong finish to the regular season, then suffered another injury Sunday. A strained knee kept him out for most of the second half, but he returned for the final series of regulation and overtime.
“My knee was hurting, but this type of game you don’t want to be out,” he said. “I’m old school. Tape it up and play. That’s what I did today.”
And, maybe, for the last time in a Seahawks uniform.
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