Coach Walks The Talk

It’s NOW time. For some Seahawks’ training camp observations, anyway.

We begin at the top. There is high entertainment value in watching new coach Mike Holmgren operate - particularly when instructing players. He has zero tolerance for mistakes, but shows restraint when making corrections. He’ll often start constructive criticism with, “OK, good job, but you need to … ” Sometimes he’ll use humor while getting his point across. It’s more teaching than coaching - which was Holmgren’s profession before he started blowing whistles.

In other words, rarely is his message entirely negative. It’s been interesting to watch burly, millionaire football players respond.

Free-agent fullback Dustin Johnson, who was in the Jets’ training camp last year under coach Bill Parcells, scoped out teammates while Holmgren spoke following his first Seahawks practice. “He has a style where everybody wants to listen and we know he knows what he’s talking about it,” Johnson said. “I noticed it the first day, when he was talking to everybody. I looked around and everybody was clinging on every one of his words. He has a presence about him.”

With a Super Bowl ring in tow, Holmgren has instant credibility. He also has complete authority over personnel, a fact that no doubt keeps players on task when he’s standing 10 yards from the huddle.

This isn’t to imply that it’s all sunshine and lollipops at camp. Holmgren rails. At various times, he’s lit up assistant coaches, players, security guards who allowed sideline spectators to wander into harm’s way. The guy who blows the airhorn to signal period changes in practice got an earful. Noting a subpar effort by the chain crew, Holmgren once chided, “Very average, men, very average.” It’s in every coaching manual to chew tail, but it’s not the first chapter in Holmgren’s book. He is unwilling to let a mistake go uncorrected, which is probably why fewer errors are being committed at this camp.

“The big difference between him and Coach Parcells, and I’m not knocking Coach Parcells at all, but Coach Holmgren is a little more positive,” Johnson said. With New York, “I was scared to make a mistake or say I was hurt because I knew if I did something wrong, I was going to hear about it. Coach Holmgren will correct your mistake - and be positive doing it.”

Holmgren’s practices are fast-paced. “Get in the huddle,” and “Get out of the huddle,” are the two most overheard phrases in camp.

In contrast, former coach Dennis Erickson perhaps gave his players too much leeway. As professionals, he trusted them to act and practice as such. They didn’t always meet that ideal.

We’re not passing judgment on whose coaching method is better. The Seahawks played hard for Erickson. But, clearly, Holmgren’s teachings are reaching a captive audience.

Now, on to the players. We bring you the always-prestigious All-Training Camp team. I suggest agents use this to start lobbying for bonuses for their clients should they be selected. Except Eric Metz, Joey Galloway’s agent. He’s already an expert at making ridiculous demands.

Defensive line: Sam Adams. Nothing new there. He’s a three-time selection in Cheney who blows up plays quicker than an errant snap. If he does it in the regular season, he’ll be All-Pro. Closing fast is Michael Sinclair, which is what he does when a QB is in sight.

Linebackers: Anthony Simmons, one of the true surprises of camp. He has made play after play at a position that could have become worrisome with DeShone Myles’ lingering knee injury.

Secondary: Shawn Springs. The second-year pro has sprinter’s speed, but is taller and stronger than most NFL cornerbacks. “If a receiver doesn’t get a clean release (at the line of scrimmage), it’s over,” Kitna said.

Offensive line: Walter Jones. An All-Pro waiting to happen.

Quarterbacks: Kitna. More and more, he’s able to find second and third options. He is accurate, agile and competitive.

Running backs: Michael Black. Granted, the former Cougar has received a ton of reps with others injured, but he’s performed well, too. Subject to change when Ahman Green, who is about to reach full speed, and Ricky Watters (ankle) mend.

Receivers: Mike Pritchard. Solid, dependable veteran was enjoying great camp before injuring his knee. Tight ends: Christian Fauria: Ditto of Pritchard above.

Special teams: OK, I admit I haven’t faithfully watched the foot soldiers in action. So we’ll go with punter Jeff Feagles, an avid golfer who, after a shanked kick once hollered, “Fore right!”<

Scattered entries from my notebook:

Making names for themselves: The aforementioned Johnson is one, standing out on special teams. Safety Kerry Joseph, a gifted athlete who is pushing for increased playing time. Offensive lineman Floyd Wedderburn, who, early on in camp, had a couple take-downs on Sinclair in oneon-one drills. Anybody who can do that deserves mention. Backup punter Brian Moorman - he’s not going to supplant Feagles, but there’s an NFL job somewhere for this rocketlauncher.

Two possible player/coaches: Receivers coach Nolan Cromwell and running backs coach Stump Mitchell. In a pinch, they look like they could still suit up.

It may never happen, but if the snap on a PAT is bungled, veteran center Kevin Glover has great hands on the emergency pass route.

It’s NOW time to end this column.