Wednesday report for the Seahawks

Mike Holmgren didn’t want to hear about it.

Eight teams are either 5-5 or 6-4 in the NFC with six weeks to go in this wild and crazy 2006 NFL season, with the 6-4 Seahawks sitting precariously atop the NFC West – one game ahead of the San Francisco 49ers. And considering the Seahawks lost at San Francisco 20-14 Sunday, every game from here on in takes on more significance – beginning Monday night at Qwest Field against the Green Bay Packers.

“I really don't monitor that – purposely,” Holmgren said. “I've got enough things to make me nervous without looking at that thing or trying to figure out stuff. Honestly, I don't. I talk about the next game and that's it. I've tried to do that - discipline myself to do that for the last few years.

“When I first started, first had the opportunity to be a head coach, I used to do that all the time, figure out stuff. Who is going to help me by winning the game? And then it just seemed like, I don't know, probably not true; but it just seemed like every time I needed another team to beat somebody else, the game went just the opposite. And it used to just kill me. And so I just don't do it any more. I've got to concentrate on Green Bay. I want the team to concentrate on Green Bay.”

Rightfully so, considering the great win over the St. Louis Rams two weeks ago and the flat performance at San Francisco. The topic of the day Wednesday was discipline for the defense in the wake of Frank Gore’s 212-yard performance Sunday. Last year, the 49ers had 172 yards rushing in the two losses to the Seahawks combined, and Gore had 5 yards on two carries.

“Anytime you get a team that really gashes you in the running game with that many yards, it’s because you’ve lost your discipline in a gap-controlled type of defense,” Holmgren said. “The way run defense is taught with many, many teams, you have teams responsible for a gap all the way along, and someone outside forcing things in.
And if that player gets blocked or makes a mistake, then the other player has to compensate, and hopefully you’ve got an athlete making a play. If you’ve got more than that, if you have two guys next to each other not disciplined in their gaps, then you have these big holes; and it’s tough.

“Then you count on your safeties to make tackles in the secondary. Against a really good back, I said it the other day (when I was asked five questions about the same thing but none of you lazy TV people were here): if you give the back enough room between the safety and the back in the open field, you see the safety miss the tackle, but my goodness that is tough. That is really hard against a good back to tackle a guy in the open field that way.”

A lot of the issue can be because the offense turned the ball over four times – three interceptions and a fumble – continuously giving the 49ers good field position while failing to sustain drives. With the Seahawks defense predicated on speed and a pass rush, when they fall behind and teams run – it puts undue pressure on the run defense. Last year, only Tiki Barber of the New York Giants had 100 yards rushing against the Seahawks – and that required overtime.

This season, there is Gore, Chester Taylor (169) and Larry Johnson (155). But a lot of that has to do with not having their offense intact, they are scoring eight less points a game, down 45 yards a game rushing, and minus-13 in the turnover/takeaway category (minus-7 as opposed to plus-6 last year).

But the good news is the return of starting quarterback Matt Hasselbeck this week from the sprained medial collateral ligament in his right knee following a four-game absence, and the second week of running back Shaun Alexander playing after missing six games with a broken bone in his left foot. Clearly, the primary issue is Hasselbeck getting the tempo of the offense back to normal. Seneca Wallace did a fine job of keeping things together and showed improvement, but it’s not the same thing. And for the Seahawks to make a solid run into the playoffs, they must regain their confidence and offensive proficiency down the stretch. Hasselbeck, knee brace and all, has to lead the charge.

“(The tempo) is necessary,” Hasselbeck said. “Some of the new guys actually were complaining today, and it's going to get worse – (or) it's going to get better – however you say that. They just have to deal with that. That's just something that Mike Holmgren has always pressed and pushed and talked about.

“Obviously, I still have some more time, but I was encouraged by today’s practice. I know it is not going to feel any worse tomorrow, so we have to keep fighting through it, and I think it will be good to go by Monday.”

Alexander expects the tempo to pick up, and his own efficiency along the way as well.

“I just think Matt brings us back and forth to the huddle and to the line of scrimmage faster,” Alexander said. “I think that's just off of experience. Seneca did a very good job before I got back and I could tell how his mind and how he thinks through the game – and the difference from how Matt thinks through the game. That's just because Matt has been our starter for four years and that's how it happens.”

So Hasselbeck and Alexander have returned. To regain momentum, this is a game Monday night they absolutely need to catapult them back into the mindset to be a serious playoff contender.

“One of the things I do all the time in all areas of our team - offense, defense and special teams - is to try and be realistic as to who we are and what we can do,” Holmgren said. “So when any phase of the football team doesn't meet expectation levels that way for me, than I get uncomfortable, and I don't like that. We just now have to regain our swagger a little bit and get down to being fundamentally sound, smart. I think our effort is a natural thing. I think we have high-effort guys, I don't worry about that. But I believe we're capable of playing much better football than we have the past couple of weeks, and now we'll see. Time will tell.”

The Favre Factor
Although now is in his eighth season with the Seahawks compared to seven with the Packers, Mike Holmgren clearly remembers the transition into quarterback Brett Favre’s first start – and 15 years later he has not missed a game. According to sources, the Chicago Bears have had 20 different starting quarterbacks while Favre hasn’t missed a game.

He has a sore elbow from last week’s game, is listed as questionable, and didn’t practice Wednesday, but everyone expects him to start.

“I would bet the ranch he’s going to play,” Holmgren said. “I know him.”

Of course he does. Favre has started a record 231 consecutive regular season games, and 251 if you count the playoffs. The Packers acquired Favre from the Atlanta Falcons for a first-round draft choice in 1992 as a backup to Don Majkowski. The Falcons had drafted Favre in the second round of the 1991 draft from Southern Mississippi.

Holmgren obviously adores him not only as a quarterback, but as the type of standup guy he is – particularly considering his foundation has donated more than $2.2 million in two states – including nearly $1 million for Hurricane Katrina relief.

But on this particular day, Holmgren was talking about how Majkowski sprained his ankle in the first quarter of the third game in that 1992 season against Cincinnati. Keep in mind, this was Holmgren’s first year as a head coach in the NFL after being a career assistant with the San Francisco 49ers, and he had played Favre some the previous week in a 31-3 loss to Tampa while falling to 0-2.

Favre led the Packers to a thrilling 24-23 victory over the Bengals on a 35-yard touchdown pass to Kitrick Taylor with 13 seconds left. With only one winning season from 1979 until then, Favre led the team to a 9-7 mark that season, and 13 consecutive seasons of .500 or better until last year’s 4-12 collapse.

“Brett came in that game and won the game in the last few seconds on a long pass,” Holmgren said. “And he's started every game for the last 15 years. It's unbelievable. If you think about it and about quarterbacks, and how any given teams lose one and how many get hurt, how many quarterbacks miss a game or two - it's one of the more remarkable things in sports history. It's gotta' be."

Twice, Holmgren recalled, the streak was in jeopardy. Favre finished a game with a separated shoulder in a win over Philadelphia. Then he had a bad ankle sprain that forced him out of a game against Minnesota. He didn’t practice all week in preparation for the Chicago Bears, then got taped up on Saturday and the staff decided to give it a shot.

“Now, him moving around is a big part of his game, but it was a very, very important game,” Holmgren recalled. “And he said he could play. He practiced a little bit Saturday, kind of gingerly. And then I said, 'If I'm looking out there and you're at risk or something, then I'm taking you out.' We started him in the game, and he ended up throwing five touchdown passes. I mean, really, he couldn't move. We were lucky he was in the pocket. He played as fine a football game as he has.”

Twice, as the Seahawks lost at Green Bay to end last year’s regular season, Favre, now 37, told Holmgren he was going to retire. But he changed his mind in the off-season and he’s still the leader on the 4-6 Packers.

“I think the world of him, obviously, that's clear,” Holmgren said. “I'm very proud of what he has accomplished, on and off the field. I think he's really special. He's got a great family, he's got a great wife. Things are going well for him. But the record is remarkable.”

The Alexander File
Shaun Alexander continues to improve despite the results of the x-rays from Monday following Sunday’s game, during which he had 37 yards on 17 carries after missing six games with a crack in the fourth metatarsal of his left foot.

“I feel real good,” Alexander said. “We took x-rays, and, of course, there is still a crack there, but you know what – I’ve felt good for about a month now. I felt a little rusty in the game, but I guess taking two months off will do that.”

But it won’t prevent him from enjoying Thanksgiving dinner at home with his family. When asked if he would help cook Thanksgiving dinner for his family, Alexander said: “My wife loves to cook, and I’m going to let her do that. And it’s really cool because I like to eat. We have a good combo with it.”

Coach’s Corner
Packers coach Mike McCarthy on former Seahawks safety Marquand Manuel, now on the Packers:

“Well, the first thing that jumps out about Marquand is his leadership ability, and he is a very big part of our locker room," said McCarthy. "He is clearly the communicator in the back end of our defense, and we are happy he is here.”

Ironically, McCarthy called Manuel into his office after Manuel told reporters they were out-coached in Sunday’s loss to New England.

This & That
As part of their tradition, Holmgren and his wife Kathy will go down to the Salvation Army soup kitchen to serve on Thanksgiving after he finishes morning practice. This year, everyone served will also get a Seahawks blanket given to them. “I told you I always get more out of that than I think the folks that I see down there,” Holmgren said. “So I think that (the blanket) is probably the best thing we could give those folks. It’s a special time for our family down there.”

The Seahawks made a couple of rosters moves, adding practice squad defensive end Robert Pollard to the 53-man roster after running back Marquis Weeks was released from the 53-man roster and re-signed to the practice squad Wednesday. Wide receiver Sloan Thomas signed last week to the practice squad, was released and defensive tackle Eric Taylor was signed. Taylor was a seventh-round draft choice of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2004 and played a game last season for the Minnesota Vikings...Gibran Hamdan remained on the active roster in the unlikely role as the fourth quarterback. But he was in an even more unusual position Wednesday as a wide receiver on the scout team...Packers coach Mike McCarthy is giving the team Thanksgiving Day off, while the Seahawks will practice late Thursday morning...Center Robbie Tobeck now is recovered from the flu, but strained his left hip and didn’t practice Wednesday. He is questionable for the game. “I have no idea how it happened,” said Tobeck, 36. “It’s just real uncomfortable.” Sean Locklear (ankle) didn’t practice, and neither did Rocky Bernard (foot). All three are questionable for Monday’s game...Bobby Engram did practice and has been upgraded to probable as he adjusts to his medication for the thyroid condition. The medication tires him out, but his blood pressure soars if he doesn’t take the medication, according to Holmgren, so he is gaining tolerance of the medication while building strength...Josh Parry (foot) is doubtful and D.D. Lewis (big toe) is out...Quarterback Seneca Wallace was at practice Wednesday, but wasn’t available Monday and is expected to miss another day this week. His mother is in town from Sacramento and has fallen ill.

Here are some stats that will give you an indication of where the Seahawks are this season compared to last season. They are averaging 20.3 points per game compared to 28.3; they are minus-7 in turnovers compared to plus-6 last season – a differential of 13; they are averaging 301.9 total yards compared to 369.7, and 108.5 yards per game rushing as opposed to 153.6.

Returning stars on offense won't matter if Seahawks' defense doesn't improve

Wash. -- Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is following league MVP Shaun Alexander back from injury.

The assumption is that - Voila! - Seattle (6-4) will regain Super Bowl quality, beginning with Hasselbeck's expected return Monday night against Green Bay (4-6).

But if the defense doesn't improve from its latest, mysterious spate of horrid tackling, it wouldn't matter if Jim Brown and Johnny Unitas were returning for the Seahawks.

Coach Mike Holmgren was so infuriated by Frank Gore stampeding his defense for 212 yards during Sunday's loss in San Francisco that he ripped into the players following the game. The lashing was so fierce, Holmgren felt compelled to apologize to the team the next day.

"I think I know what they're capable of playing and I get frustrated and angry when they don't do certain things. And I don't think I'm being unrealistic," Holmgren said Wednesday.

The frustration grows when the Seahawks consider there's been only one major change to their defense from one that was so improved last season while boosting Seattle to its first Super Bowl: The arrival of dynamic linebacker Julian Peterson. And that's been anything but a problem. Peterson, a two-time Pro Bowler, has a career-high eight sacks in 10 games.

"Essentially, this is the same defense as last year. Last year, we let one back gain 100 yards - and that took five quarters," middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu said, referring to Tiki Barber of the New York Giants in an overtime win for on Seattle Nov. 27, 2005.

"Things have that snowball effect."

It's been an avalanche lately.

San Francisco's 262 yards rushing last week came three weeks after Kansas City and Larry Johnson romped for 191. That followed Minnesota rolling for 175 yards on the ground, including Chester Taylor's 95-yard touchdown run - a Vikings record.

Seattle has allowed an average of 29 points in each of those games, all losses.

Why?

After Sunday's debacle, defensive end Grant Wistrom said opponents are exploiting a lack of gap discipline, especially on the backside of Seattle's defense on cutback runs.

And as Holmgren noted: "The teams we play are going to be looking at it and we have to have an answer. We have to fix it and have an answer if we expect to reach our goals this year."

Tatupu said that alone is "embarrassing."

"That's a tape that's going around the NFL now," Tatupu said of the 49ers running over the Seahawks. "I think that's what people are going to try to do. We've just got to respond."

Packers running back Ahman Green, probable with a sore knee, ranks just behind Shaun Alexander as the sixth-most-productive NFL running back this decade, with 7,747 yards. But Green has had just 55 and 28 yards rushing in Green Bay's last two games - following three consecutive 100-yard games.

After Green, Seattle will face Denver runner Tatum Bell - though he's questionable for this week with turf toe. Then it's Arizona's Edgerrin James, Gore again - and San Diego's white-hot LaDainian Tomlinson.

As for last week, Tatupu credited Gore with being "an unbelievable running back."

"But when it comes down to it ... it's just discipline," he said. "Whether it was a d-lineman, a linebacker, a safety or a corner (it's) being where you need to be and holding yourself accountable.

"Another thing would be the tackling."

Oh, that.

Tatupu said coaches let the defense know that Gore gained a whopping 130 of his yards after the Seahawks' first hit on him.

"On occasion, it was people not being in the right place," Tatupu said. "But sometimes it was just him wanting it. And going and taking it.

"There's no one in here shying away from contact," he said, including himself as a culprit of missed tackles. "It's just taking the right steps in tackling."

Defensive coordinator John Marshall said being out of position is not causing the poor tackling. Marshall said his defenders were generally in their assigned places in San Francisco, unlike in earlier games, but they just whiffed making stops.

"They've just got to make the plays," Marshall said.

Seahawks/Broncos selected for Sunday night

The NFL has moved the December 3 game between the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos to 8:15 p.m. (et) as part of the flexible scheduling system.

The Seahawks lead the NFC West by a game over San Francisco and Denver trails the San Diego Chargers by a game in the race for the AFC West crown.

The league's new scheduling plan tries to ensure that Sunday night nationally- televised games on NBC and the late-afternoon Sunday time slot for FOX and CBS will feature quality matchups. The league must give at least 12 days notice for the switch, with the exception of Week 17 when a six-day period is in effect.

In addition to the Seahawks/Broncos game, the league has also moved the Week 13 contests between the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants and Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Pittsburgh Steelers to 4:15 p.m. (et) starts. Meanwhile, the Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins tilt will now start at 4:05 (et).

Seahawks QB Hasselbeck probable for Monday night

Seattle Seahawks head coach quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is listed as probable for his team's game against the Green Bay Packers on Monday night.

Hasselbeck, who has not played the last four games with an MCL sprain in his right knee, was 103-of-176 with 1,249 yards, 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions on the season before being injured on the Seahawks opening possession of the third quarter during Seattle's 31-13 loss to Minnesota. Vikings linebacker E.J. Henderson rolled into Hasselbeck's right knee on a third down pass play.

Hasselbeck crumbled to the ground in obvious pain but did manage to limp off the field.

Seattle was 4-2 with Hasselbeck and just 2-2 with the quarterback sidelined this season.

Seahawks miss Manuel

Safety Marquand Manuel, who signed a free-agent contract with the Packers following the 2005 season, was a key player on last year's Super Bowl team. The images of Michael Boulware getting beat on long passes and Jordan Babineaux whiffing on San Francisco running back Frank Gore have led some Seattle Seahawks fans to wonder if maybe their team would be better off with a different starting safety.

That safety could well be playing against them this Monday night.

Green Bay's Marquand Manuel was a key piece to the Super Bowl puzzle last season, so much so that the Seattle defense all but fell apart after he got hurt in the first half of that game. While Ken Hamlin has since returned from off-field injuries to regain his starting spot at free safety, the Seahawks' strong safeties have struggled at times this year.

Manuel started 14 games, including three in the postseason, with the Seahawks while Hamlin recovered from head injuries last year. He signed a five-year, $10 million contract with the Packers in March and has started all 10 games at strong safety.

He said during a Wednesday conference call that the move has been a good one, but that he's still adjusting to his new team.

"You're going to have your goods and your bads," he said. "You're getting used to the guys, and they're getting used to you. You're getting used to the coaches, and vice versa. From that standpoint, it's been a good experience."

While it's unknown what kind of an impact Manuel would have had on this year's Seattle defense, his value to the 2005 team was evident in the Super Bowl. After he got hurt in that game, the Seahawks' defense struggled.

"When we played Detroit in the third game of the year, I thought about that," Manuel said Wednesday. "What if (the injury) didn't happen? What if I didn't hit (the ball carrier) as hard as I did on the sideline? What if, what if, what if? I'm probably going to what-if until I get that chance. And if I don't get that chance, I'm probably going to what-if for the rest of my life."

As for this year's Seahawks, coach Mike Holmgren has defended the play of his safeties. He's sticking with Babineaux despite the missed tackles, although Holmgren said on Wednesday that Boulware could start seeing some limited time as part of the defensive rotation.

"Heck, I believe he learned a hard lesson," Holmgren said, referring to his decision to bench Boulware three weeks ago. "Sometimes you see the guy who watches, and then he comes in and he's a better player for having done that.

"He certainly wants to do the right thing. And he's certainly bright enough to do it and physical enough to do it. ... I'll make sure he's involved somehow."

Holmgren offered that his increase in playing time was not an indictment on Babineaux.

"I wouldn't pin that on what we did" in Sunday's loss to San Francisco, he said.

Injury report: Center Robbie Tobeck, who is nursing a sore hip that flared up in the past few days, was among three Seahawks starters who were held out of Wednesday's practice. Tobeck, right tackle Sean Locklear (ankle) and defensive tackle Rocky Bernard (foot) are all listed as "questionable" on the injury report.

Locklear continues to recover from a high ankle sprain that has cost him five weeks. Bernard played in Sunday's game but was on crutches Wednesday.

Reserve linebacker D.D. Lewis (toe) is listed as "out," fullback Josh Parry is "doubtful," while wide receiver Bobby Engram (thyroid condition) and quarterback Matt Hasselbeck (knee) are "probable."

The Packers' injury report includes six starters, the most notable of which is quarterback Brett Favre (questionable, elbow).

Also on the list are two "doubtful" starters - linebacker Nick Barnett (hand) and right tackle Mark Tauscher (groin) - as well as two other "questionable" starters: fullback Brandon Miree (elbow) and cornerback Charles Woodson (shoulder/knee).

Running back Ahman Green (knee) is "probable."

Alexander's foot still cracked: Seahawks running back Shaun Alexander wasn't listed on the injury report, but that doesn't mean that the cracked bone in his left foot has fully healed.

Alexander said Wednesday that he has continued to undergo X-rays but that the small crack is still there.

"I told them we might as well stop X-raying it," Alexander said. "We don't know (when it will be fully healed).

"We know that we are at a point where, in order for me to hurt it again, it would have to be almost the same exact way. We don't think that is going to happen and we just keep on playing, try to get some wins."

Alexander admitted that he was favoring the foot, but his health continues to improve since suffering the injury in win over the New York Giants almost two months ago.

"I've felt good for about a month now," he said. "I felt a little rusty in the game, but I guess taking two months off will do that."

Quick slants: The Seahawks promoted defensive lineman Robert Pollard from the practice squad. He took the roster spot of running back Marquis Weeks, who was released the previous day before being resigned to the practice squad on Wednesday. ... Seattle also signed defensive tackle Eric Taylor to the practice squad and made room for him by releasing wide receiver Sloan Thomas.

Seahawks Notebook: Hawks blanket less fortunate with 1,000 pounds of care

Despite the rash of injuries that have played into the Seahawks being 6-4, they still have a lot to be thankful for on this Thanksgiving Day.

After practice, coach Mike Holmgren and his wife, Kathy, will make their annual pilgrimage to the Salvation Army in Seattle to serve meals.

"I always get more out of that than the folks that I see down there," Holmgren said Wednesday. "It's a special time for our family down there."

This year, the Seahawks are passing out blankets to those who go to the soup kitchen for a turkey dinner.

"That's probably the best thing we could give those folks," Holmgren said.

Tuesday, All-Pro running back Shaun Alexander distributed 1,000 pounds of food through his foundation to the food banks in Tacoma.

"It was awesome," Alexander said. "A thousand pounds of food is crazy, and it is the most we have ever done."

INJURY REPORT: Center Robbie Tobeck (sore hip), right tackle Sean Locklear (sprained ankle) and defensive tackle Rocky Bernard (sore foot) did not practice and are listed as questionable for Monday night's game against the Green Bay Packers at Qwest Field.

Holmgren said the status of each would be a game-day decision. Tobeck has missed the past two games because of the flu. Now it's a hip problem.

"It's one of those seasons where things happen and there's no real great explanation for it," Holmgren said.

Wide receiver Bobby Engram practiced, but whether he plays this week remains tied to the medication he is taking for a thyroid condition that has sidelined him for the past six games.

"The stamina is his issue," Holmgren said. "It's a little bit of a Catch-22. He needs the medication to get his numbers in line, but the medication makes him sluggish."

FAVRE UPDATE: Packers quarterback Brett Favre ran some plays in practice, but did not participate in team drills because he hasn't fully regained the feeling in two fingers in his throwing hand after injuring a nerve in his right elbow Sunday.

"It's kind of an odd deal," said Favre, who has started 251 consecutive games. "But once again, at this point, I feel confident I'll be OK."

Favre is one of seven players listed as questionable by the Packers, who also list three players as doubtful -- linebacker Nick Barnett (broken hand), right tackle Mark Tauscher (strained groin) and backup cornerback Will Blackmon (bruised ribs).

BCS MESS: As he sits in front of his locker wearing a USC cap, there's no need to ask if middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu has more than just a passing interest in which team plays Ohio State for the national championship.

Q: So I would assume you're against an Ohio State-Michigan rematch?

A: "Are you kidding?" the former Trojan harrumphed. "Who wants to see that pillow fight?"

HAWK TALK: Running back Marquis Weeks was released and re-signed to the practice squad so defensive end Robert Pollard could be signed off the practice squad. ... The club signed defensive tackle Eric Taylor to the practice squad and released wide receiver Sloan Thomas. ... Packers coach Mike McCarthy is giving his players and coaches the day off. ...

Not surprisingly, 49ers running back Frank Gore was named NFC offensive player of the week for his 212-yard rushing performance against the Seahawks. He is the third player to earn a weekly award for his efforts against the Seahawks, joining Chiefs running back Larry Johnson and Bears defensive tackle Tommie Harris.