September 5, 2004 in Sports

Holmgren finally has a team that looks for real

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Associated Press photo

Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren seems to have all the ingredients to put together a recipe for success in Seattle.
(Full-size photo)

KIRKLAND, Wash. — Mike Holmgren finally is getting results from the quarterback he staked his reputation on. He’s got a solid running back, too, and the defense looks better with an old pal handling that side of the ball.

For the first time since Holmgren traded his parka for an umbrella, moving from Green Bay to Seattle five years ago, the Seahawks look like a bona fide contender.

“We won’t complete the project until we get there, you know?” Holmgren said. “But I think we’re a lot more solid as a football team in a lot of areas. I think we have a good blend of veterans and young guys.

“We’re getting better,” he said. “We’re getting closer.”

This club has Holmgren’s fingerprints all over it.

Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, running back Shaun Alexander and guard Steve Hutchinson are coming off their first Pro Bowl seasons — all projects developed as part of Holmgren’s master plan.

Last season, Hasselbeck threw for a franchise-record 3,841 yards with 26 touchdowns. Hutchinson and others, including perennial Pro Bowl tackle Walter Jones, cleared holes for Alexander’s career-high 1,435 yards rushing.

The blueprint is coming together, indeed.

“We all know what Coach Holmgren did with the 49ers and the Packers,” Alexander said. “We’re very excited that he hand-picked us to do the same thing here in Seattle.”

Ray Rhodes is in his second season as defensive coordinator, reunited with Holmgren from their days in Green Bay. Though Holmgren has final say, he trusts Rhodes and leaves him to run the defense.

There were modest improvements last season, when Seattle moved from 28th overall defensively to 19th. Against the run, where the Seahawks ranked dead last in 2002, Seattle was 14th.

“We continue to see defensive improvements,” Holmgren said.

Holmgren arrived in Seattle with much fanfare, signing a $32 million, eight-year contract after coaching Green Bay to a 75-37 record and two Super Bowl trips — one NFL title — in seven seasons. Some people have suggested the project has taken longer than expected.

“Some?” Holmgren asked with a chuckle. “We are living in an impatient society. In this business, at times, it can take a little longer than the fans want, than I want, than everyone wants. But if I looked back on the last five years and didn’t know why it hasn’t happened, then I’d be a little nervous.”

What’s happened is that youngsters such as Hasselbeck, Alexander and receivers Darrell Jackson and Koren Robinson took time to emerge. Hutchinson missed most of the 2002 season with a broken leg.

Last winter, the Seahawks showed they were serious about recruiting top free agents. Defensive end Grant Wistrom signed a deal that included a $14 million bonus and Jackson got an $8 million bonus to stay.

Going into Holmgren’s sixth season, there’s a sense the coach is closer than ever to transforming what used to be one of the league’s most mediocre franchises.

“Yes, for a number of reasons,” said Seattle offensive coordinator Gil Haskell, who worked with Holmgren in Green Bay from 1992-97. “The young guys are becoming veterans now. Walter Jones is in his eighth year. Hutch is in his fourth year. Hasselbeck, with us, is in his third year. Shaun’s there and Darrell Jackson’s there.”

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