Hawks have a plan for next two weeks

In the middle of a jubilant locker room, Seattle Seahawks first-year president Tim Ruskell noticed a group of front-office people holding the George S. Halas Trophy and mugging for a camera. “Hey, hold on,” Ruskell said. “I gotta get in on that.”

And so he did. Meanwhile, about 15 yards away someone was writing down Seattle’s practice itinerary for the week on a grease board for every player to see as they walked to the shower area.

After a couple of pictures with the Halas Trophy, awarded annually to the NFC champions, Ruskell’s mind quickly turned toward the Lombardi Trophy, which denotes Super Bowl champions. Seattle routed Carolina 34-14 Sunday to advance to the Super Bowl and a date with Pittsburgh.

“Experience says that this first week you’ve got to get your work done,” Ruskell said. “You’ve got to get in your game plan, get the film work done and the preparation because when you get to Detroit it’s a little bit madness. Mike (Holmgren) has been through that a couple times, he’ll know that and they’ll be prepared.”

Ruskell said preparation has been one of Seattle’s strengths.

“This is the most serious team I’ve ever been around for getting the job done, working at it, coming in early, watching extra film,” said Ruskell, who was in the front office with Tampa Bay when it won Super Bowl XXXVII. “I’ve never been around a group that their concentration was on every week. It’s been amazing to watch.”

Defensive end Grant Wistrom, a veteran of two Super Bowls, agreed.

“I’ve been on good teams, but never have I seen such a business-like attitude,” he said. “If you want to go to the Super Bowl and party, you can go any year. Very rarely do you have a chance to play in it. I don’t really see a problem with this team. We’re focused.”

The Steelers are favored by 3.5 points, but Seattle is accustomed to sizable obstacles this season.

“They said, ‘The Seahawks can’t beat St. Louis, they can’t win on the road, they can’t win a big game.’ ” Ruskell said. “This team said, ‘OK, let’s just see,’ and they knocked it down.”

Redemption for pair

It has taken some time for Seattle to fully embrace coach Mike Holmgren and quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. After several home losses in recent seasons, Holmgren was often a target of fans’ ire as he left the field. Prior to this year, Holmgren had a 50-46 record in six seasons. Hasselbeck was booed early in his Seahawks career.

But Holmgren has delivered the best season in franchise history and Hasselbeck has developed into one the NFL’s top quarterbacks.

“I thanked owner Paul Allen in front of the players for being patient with me in a rather volatile business, to allow your coaches to build something and to believe in them,” Holmgren said.

On feeling personal satisfaction, Holmgren said, “I think we got people excited about football again here in the Pacific Northwest and if any little doubts kind of creep in as you go along in the business, which can happen, this kind of makes me think for sure that I can coach a little bit.”

Said Hasselbeck: “It wasn’t always easy here… . I feel like I’m better for having gone through some of that stuff, but it feels really far away right now.”

Alexander gets in gear

Shaun Alexander has run wild in the preseason and regular season, at home or on the road. He’s developed a reputation for special performances in nationally televised games.

But he hadn’t experienced much playoff success until Sunday. Alexander, bouncing back from a concussion against Washington, had two 1-yard touchdown runs and set a franchise playoff record with 132 yards. He had been limited to 94 yards on 41 carries in three previous playoff games.

“He came out and ran like a man on a mission,” fullback Mack Strong said. “That’s what you expect Shaun to do.”