Holmgren growing tired of players’ continual antics

SEATTLE — We’ve been reminded a billion times that there is no such thing as a bad win in the NFL, but you wouldn’t have known it by watching Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren walk off Qwest Field on Sunday.

His piercing eyes were fixed straight ahead, which is a good thing because they probably would have melted the oversized metal structure emblazoned with the Seahawks logo that serves as the tunnel Seattle players run through during pre-game introductions.

A quick glance left or right and that baby would have been reduced to rubble.

By the time Holmgren arrived at the podium for interviews roughly 10 minutes later, he was fully composed and entirely thankful that Seattle had eked out a 24-17 win over Miami.

Rightfully so. Seattle found a way to win, despite sloppy play for the better part of three quarters and the disturbing absence of a couple of key players.

Those inexcusable absences clearly rankled the veteran coach, who was forced to tinker with Seattle’s starting lineup. Some changes were minor — Itula Mili started in front of Jerramy Stevens, which barely raises an eyebrow because they’re like 1 and 1A. Others were a necessity. Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck was out with a thigh injury, so Trent Dilfer started for the first time since Oct. 27, 2002. Injuries to Rashad Moore opened the way for rookie defensive tackle Marcus Tubbs’ start.

Which brings us to receiver Koren Robinson and offensive tackle Chris Terry. Holmgren benched both — Robinson suited up, Terry didn’t — for disciplinary reasons. He declined to expand on those reasons, but not on the source of his frustration.

Asked if he was growing tired of the “knuckleheadedness” of certain players, Holmgren said, “I think that’s fair to say. I believe you need discipline to play this game and to run a team and run an organization. At the same time I think over the years I have developed some flexibility there. But there are certain things I still value as being very important.”

Team rules obviously rank high on his list, but apparently not on Robinson’s. This is his second misstep. He was late to a meeting last year and didn’t play against Arizona. Holmgren said he doesn’t have a lot of rules, but he expects them to be followed.

Keep in mind that Robinson’s indiscretions have nothing to do with the NFL’s substance abuse and personal conduct policy. For weeks, it’s been reported that Robinson faces a four-game suspension. His appeal was heard by the NFL last week, but it’s expected that the suspension might finally come down this week, possibly as early as today.

Jerry Rice pinch-hit for Robinson on Sunday and showed there’s still life in those 42-year-old legs. Rice had three catches, one for a touchdown and one for 56 yards that had the crowd chanting “Jerry, Jerry, Jerry.” The greatest receiver in NFL history also admitted to being nervous before the game. Pretty cool.

“This is an opportunity and I have to carry the load and make plays,” Rice said. “That is the main reason I came to Seattle. I take a lot of pride in what I do. It’s the opportunity of a lifetime.”

Too bad Robinson, whose locker is stationed a couple cubicles down from Rice’s, wasn’t around to listen to Rice’s words.

Rice and veteran Bobby Engram, another exemplary role model if Robinson were looking for one, were the only receivers on the same page with Dilfer. But even that symmetry faded as the game went on.

Dilfer had success early, but became rattled when the Dolphins stepped up the pressure. He finished 14 of 28 for 196 yards, but was intercepted twice.

“I just didn’t see the field like I normally do,” Dilfer said. “I’ve always felt that was one of my strengths and that I don’t get tricked very often. Today I got tricked quite a few times and two of them turned into interceptions.”

Before it was known that Hasselbeck wouldn’t play, a letter writer in the Seattle Times Sunday sports section urged Holmgren to rest Hasselbeck and insert Dilfer. After Sunday’s performance, that letter writer is probably sending a “Get Well Soon” card to Hasselbeck.

At least Dilfer’s rust could be attributed to his limited reps over the last two seasons and to a surprisingly tough Dolphins defense. The talented but troubled Robinson is about out of excuses.