Erickson Revels In News Of Agreement

Dennis Erickson is an Everett native with gobs of relatives in the Seattle area. He wants to continue coaching the SEATTLE Seahawks.

In that regard, Monday was a good day. Prospective buyer Paul Allen reached an agreement with Gov.-elect Gary Locke to shorten the Hawks’ Kingdome lease six days before an Allen-imposed deadline on the issue.

“That’s great news,” said Erickson, already buoyed by Seattle’s 26-18 upset of Buffalo on Sunday. “That’s one hurdle. There are a couple of other hurdles ahead before it gets done. But this is one of the most positive things we’ve heard all year.”

Work remains to prevent the Seahawks from relocating, Locke cautioned at a Monday press conference. “There are long-term stadium issues that still need to be resolved. There is the issue of the public’s investment in the Kingdome … but this (agreement) is a step in the right direction.”

The franchise’s instability has been a minor distraction for players and coaches, Erickson admitted.

“It bothers the players a little bit, but you still have to play and practice and do the things that are necessary,” Erickson said. “It probably has an effect on families more than anything. I know that it stresses my wife out, but I stress her out anyway.

“An awful lot of people in this area want us to stay. I hope for the fans’ sake we can.”

Owner Ken Behring’s aborted attempt to move the team to California didn’t hinder Seattle’s pursuit of free agents last off-season, Erickson said.

Erickson has identified “four or five players on this team we really need to re-sign” whose contracts expire after this season. It’s believed that linebacker Terry Wooden and safety Robert Blackmon are high on that list.

Defense won’t rest

Fresh from blitzing Buffalo quarterback Jim Kelly into submission, Seattle must prepare for the nimble feet of Jacksonville quarterback Mark Brunell on Sunday.

Expect the rush to be on - again.

“It’s something we’ve got to do more and more,” Erickson said. “We have to have a better blitz package, because we’ve got guys who can blitz. The times he (Kelly) was able to sit back there, he completed a lot of passes.

“We’re going to have to do something to handle Brunell. If we rush with four guys all the time, he’s going to sit back and scramble around forever. The blitz is good against a guy who can run. But when you blitz, you’ve got to be able to cover.”

The Hawks gave up a couple of big plays, but those were outweighed by the positives of harassing Kelly.

On line

Seattle’s defensive line - ends Michael Sinclair and Michael McCrary and tackles Cortez Kennedy and Sam Adams - is getting tougher to block. The main reason? Pocket-collapser Kennedy.

“He’s playing very well for us and he’s helped those other guys,” defensive coordinator Greg McMackin said.

Kennedy has made five consecutive Pro Bowl trips and it’s likely he’ll make a sixth. Kennedy’s success finally seems to have prodded Adams into a more consistent work ethic. Adams played one of his finest games against the Bills, Erickson said.

Season stats: Adams has two fumble recoveries, one fumble recovery and 4.5 sacks; Kennedy has eight sacks and 13.5 tackles for loss; McCrary has 6.5 sacks in the last nine games; and Sinclair has 12 sacks - all in the Kingdome - and three forced fumbles.

Leftovers

Reserve defensive end Phillip Daniels suffered a sprained knee ligament that leaves him doubtful for Jacksonville. Several Hawks were battered and bruised by Buffalo, but are expected to play on Sunday. … Joey Galloway is 103 yards from becoming the fourth receiver in NFL history with 1,000 yards in each of his first two seasons. The others were Bill Groman (Houston, 1960-61), Bob Hayes (Dallas, 1965-66) and John Jefferson (San Diego, 1978-79). Galloway only had one catch, a 27-yard touchdown. … Chris Warren had 116 rushing yards, his 24th career 100-yard game. That eclipses Curt Warner’s team record of 23.

Beebe’s bad break

Green Bay receiver Don Beebe said he’s risking permanent damage by continuing to play with a broken and dislocated right ring finger.

But he said it was worth it for a shot at the Super Bowl.

“It’s rare you get there or have a chance to get there,” Beebe said. “I don’t want to miss that chance.”

He said he’ll have surgery, in which the tendons in the finger will be replaced by a tendon from his wrist, “the first day or two after the Super Bowl.”

Beebe, who revealed the injury Monday, said he declined to have surgery last month.

Hebert ponders retirement

The hits are starting to take a toll on Atlanta quarterback Bobby Hebert, who conceded that he might retire at the end of the season rather than endure another year of punishment.

“Sometimes it just feels like I’ve been in a bad car wreck,” said the 36-year-old Hebert, who has played surprisingly well since taking over from Jeff George.

Cothran returns

Fullback Jeff Cothran returned to the Cincinnati Bengals after serving a one-game suspension for his latest alcohol-related problems.

Cothran declined to talk about the events last week that led to his court appearance and suspension.

Cothran pleaded guilty Wednesday in Middletown Municipal Court to a charge of driving while intoxicated.

Simmons still out

Right tackle Ed Simmons, the Washington Redskins veteran from Eastern Washington, is recovering from knee surgery and probably won’t play against the Cardinals.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

The following fields overflowed: CREDIT = Jim Meehan staff writer The Associated Press contributed to this report