Holmgren’s anger surfaces
Seahawks receive harsh dose of truth from coach
RENTON, Wash. – So much for a soft, sentimental ride through Mike Holmgren’s 10th and final season as Seahawks coach.
The paternal yet often fiery Holmgren ripped into his players during what he called “a truth session” Wednesday, three days after Seattle (1-3) was embarrassed 44-6 at the New York Giants.
It was the worst margin of defeat in Holmgren’s head coaching career, which began in Green Bay in 1992. It left the four-time defending NFC West champions in what Pro Bowl linebacker Julian Peterson called “almost” panic time entering Sunday’s home game against the Packers (2-3).
“He’s definitely tense, there’s no doubt about that,” quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said in a conference call to reporters in Green Bay. “Mike got up today and really laid into the offense. I mean, he gave it to us hard today.
“That was tough to take.”
Holmgren is tied with Joe Gibbs for 10th in NFL coaching wins with 171. He has already announced this is his final season, and Seattle has already signed defensive backs coach Jim Mora to take his place, beginning in 2009.
In a separate conference call to reporters in Green Bay, the 60-year-old Holmgren reiterated he isn’t necessarily retiring – that he considers next year a “sabbatical” from football.
As for the present, Holmgren was still talking about how unacceptable last weekend’s effort was against the Giants, hours after chewing out his players. While most of Seattle’s attention has been on an underperforming defense allowing 34, 33 and 44 points in losses this season – after surrendering 42 to the Packers while getting eliminated in last January’s playoffs – Holmgren noted the offense has been putting the defense in tough situations.
The offense converted just one of 11 third downs against New York. For the season, Seattle is turning just 29 percent of its third-down plays into first downs. Only winless Detroit and St. Louis have worse percentages in the NFC.