Hawks battle-tested

When rookie linebacker Lofa Tatupu arrived in Seattle as a second-round draft pick in 2005, his Seahawks teammates were a pretty green bunch when it came to postseason play. Only seven players from the 53-man roster of that team had won a playoff game.

One of the Seahawks’ biggest hurdles that year was playoff inexperience – or, as Tatupu pointed out, a lack of quality experience.

“They went to the playoffs before – they just lost,” the third-year linebacker said this week. “That’s experience. It’s not a great experience, but it’s experience.”

The Seahawks went to the Super Bowl after the 2005 season, so experience is no longer an issue when it comes to postseason play.

“This team is no stranger to the playoffs,” running back Shaun Alexander said. “We know what is going to happen and what to expect. I am sure there hasn’t been a situation that we haven’t been through in the last five years that we are not going to see (this time around).”

The Seahawks enter this year’s postseason as the most experienced team in the NFC. Fourteen of Seattle’s 22 starters have started five games or more, while only one other NFC team – Green Bay, with eight – has more than five starters who have played in at least five playoff games.

Seattle’s starting lineup has played 111 combined playoff games, 26 more than any of the NFC’s other participants. Washington, which will face the Seahawks in a playoff opener on Saturday, has just 59 combined playoff games among the starters.

“Guys know what to expect, for the most part,” said receiver Bobby Engram, whose seven postseason appearances have all come with Seattle.

Seahawks injury update

While Seahawks receiver D.J. Hackett appears to be recovered from the ankle problems that hobbled him during the regular season, the status of Deion Branch is up in the air due to a calf injury. Branch suffered the injury late last week, and he was held out of Sunday’s regular-season finale as well as both practices this week.

If Branch can’t start, Bobby Engram and Hackett would likely be in the lineup. Engram ended up starting 15 games during the 2007 season and set a franchise record with 94 receptions. Seattle has plenty of depth at the position, with leading scorer Nate Burleson and youngsters Ben Obomanu and Courtney Taylor.

“Fortunately, we have some depth at the receiver position,” Holmgren said, “and we’ve been able to withstand that better than maybe we could have in the past.”

The only other player not practicing Wednesday was reserve linebacker Niko Koutouvides, who is recovering from a knee injury he suffered last week.

Lions fire Martz

The Detroit Lions reportedly fired Mike Martz, ending his fractious two years as the team’s offensive coordinator.

Martz will be replaced by Jim Colletto, who will retain his position as offensive line coach while calling plays. Receivers coach Kippy Brown will serve as co-coordinator, several media sources reported.

Chiefs clean house

The Kansas City Chiefs have fired offensive coordinator Mike Solari and three other assistant coaches following a 4-12 season. Solari, offensive line coach John Matsko, receivers coach Charlie Joiner and running backs coach James Saxon were let go.

Nolan keeps job

Coach Mike Nolan will return to the San Francisco 49ers next season despite going 16-32 in his first three years with the club. Scot McCloughan, their top personnel executive, was formally announced as general manager, getting a contract extension and a raise.

Ireland joins Dolphins

Jeff Ireland has rejoined Bill Parcells to help revive the Miami Dolphins.

Ireland, who spent the past seven years in player personnel with the Dallas Cowboys, was hired as Dolphins general manager. He replaces Randy Mueller, fired Monday after three seasons with Miami.

Around the league

Wide receiver Marvin Harrison returned to practice and could play in the Indianapolis Colts’ playoff game next week. Harrison has missed a career-high 11 games since bruising his left knee against Denver on Sept. 30. … Tennessee quarterback Vince Young practiced on a limited basis, but lost one of his favorite targets when tight end Bo Scaife was placed on injured reserve with a lacerated liver.