KIRKLAND – After being without their defensive coordinator for the regular-season opener, the Seattle Seahawks head into the final game of their historic season feeling like they now have two.
Linebackers coach John Marshall continues to make the calls on game days, while coordinator Ray Rhodes helps with the game plan all week.
“He is in charge,” Marshall said Friday. “I keep telling everybody, but they don’t quite understand that.
“Ray is here early in the morning, and he’s meeting with the players. He spends 45 minutes every morning with the defensive backs and whoever else wants to listen. He watches film all day, he takes notes, he’s in on the game plan. He is not separate from this. He is right on top of this thing.”
Rhodes has even started attending practices – albeit at a safe distance – and has been in the booth to assist Marshall in both playoff games.
Rhodes, 55, attended just seven games during the regular season because of the mild stroke he suffered in early September and a subsequent recurrence of symptoms two months later.
He’s working fewer hours, and watches practice from far enough away that he can’t talk to the players, and yet Rhodes is still having an impact on Seattle’s defense.
“He tries to stay away,” defensive tackle Rocky Bernard said. “But he watches the film and always makes comments on things you need to work on. He’s still very much a part of what we do.”
Over the past seven games, the Seahawks have allowed just 274.6 yards and 12.4 points per game. Marshall is understandably getting a lot of the credit, although he seems uncomfortable with the attention.
While Rhodes continues to add guidance, Marshall keeps thriving in his unofficial duties as coordinator.
“He’s meant a lot,” Bernard said. “Coach Marshall coaches us just like Ray Rhodes. They both have an intensity and attitude about themselves. When they step on the field, they really want to go out there and make a statement.”
Jackson, Bernard return: Bernard and wide receiver Darrell Jackson were back at practice Friday after missing the previous two days to rest injuries.
Jackson has seen limited practice time since returning from knee surgery six weeks ago, yet he has been productive in games (24 receptions and three touchdowns in four appearances).
Bernard injured his right foot in the win over Washington two weeks ago but played against Carolina last Sunday.
Wide receiver Bobby Engram, who suffered a hip injury last Sunday, has not practiced this week but is expected to be available when the Seahawks play the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Super Bowl in eight days.
Rookie fullback Leonard Weaver also missed Friday’s practice because of illness, but he’s expected to travel with the team when it leaves for Detroit on Sunday.
Feeling refreshed: This time last year, Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren was on vacation and mulling over his future. He said Friday that it was the closest he came to retiring.
“I’m tired at the end of each year. I usually give it all I’ve got during the year,” Holmgren told the media after Friday’s practice. “Last year, I was disappointed we didn’t go farther. I thought we had a good football team, and I was disappointed in myself more than anything. I really had to think about some things at the end of the future. I thought I’d let the team down.
“Last year I gave it some serious thought, probably for the first time. Fortunately my owner (Paul Allen) talked me out of it, and here we are.”
Two-cigar week: Even if his team had not won the NFC championship game last Sunday, cornerback Marcus Trufant would have had the biggest week of his life.
Trufant welcomed the birth of his first child, daughter Karmyn, on Wednesday.
“This could be a big month for me,” he said.
Quick slants: Holmgren confirmed that Warrick would return punts again for the second consecutive week. “I’ve been waiting all season to go out and showcase my talents, and now I have a chance,” said Warrick, who replaced Jimmy Williams as punt return man in the NFC championship game. “I just want to make the best of it.” … The Seahawks will host a send-off party at Qwest Field on Sunday morning. Gates open at 7 a.m., with festivities scheduled to start at 8 a.m. Admission and parking are free.
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