I waited longer than normal
to write this column because my emotions were so raw after the pitiful display
against Buffalo that I was afraid the editors of Seahawks.Net would have to
put in overtime just to bleep out and clean up my rantings. (Editor’s
Note: After last Sunday, I wouldn’t worry about it...) I took a couple
of days to ask myself why I care so much whether we win or lose when it appears
that my team does not. I asked myself why I get so geeked up for every single
game when it appears that my team does not.
Of course the answer, as
always, is because I love the Seattle Seahawks and have for 29 years and nothing,
no matter how bad we play, no matter how flat we are, no matter how crazy it
drives me and every other fanatic out there, is going to change that. That said,
it doesn't mean that I'm going to just sit there and watch our guys bumble and
stumble their way to yet another disappointing season without saying something
about it.
I'm tired of hearing and
reading Mike Holmgren's 'golly gee whiz' remarks about how we play. I'm tired
of him saying that he thinks we are playing hard, 'he really, really does, gosh
darn it' and that we have to eliminate mistakes, 'we really, really need to
clean that up just a little bit, we really, really need to do that' kind of
attitude. Can you imagine what Bill Cowher would do to this team if he were
coaching it?
There just doesn't seem
to be that fire and determination to go kick somebody's butt either before or
after a game. And after reading what Shaun Alexander said about having to laugh
to keep from crying after a game like this and that we're okay because we'd
still be in first place after this week just solidifies my concerns that this
squad of players just doesn't get it or just doesn't care, I'm not sure which.
There just doesn't seem to be any fear from anyone about losing their jobs or
starting positions regardless of how they perform. One bad game is forgivable.
Maybe even a couple of bad games throughout the year is, but our guys are so
consistently inconsistent it's maddening.
When is Mike Holmgren going
to hold these guys accountable for the way they play? When is he going to pull
someone like Darrell Jackson aside and tell him, "Son, if you don't start
catching the damn ball I'm going to sit you for a while until you get it together".
When is someone going to go off on this team and get everyone else's attention
that things are NOT okay the way they are going and that change is needed immediately
if we're going to make the playoffs and do some damage once we get there.
I must say that it was
slightly encouraging to hear what Matt Hasselbeck had to say during the press
conference about how we would never see that Seahawk team that played against
Buffalo ever again and that he takes responsibility for the way we've been playing
lately. And it's a little encouraging to see that some of the players who are
supposed to be leaders on this team, namely Alexander and Wistrom, say that
the guys have circled this horrible game on their calendars as a game that will
determine which way our season ends by never having it repeated. If these guys
really mean it, then I think the rest of the year could be very exciting.
I think we'll find out
this Monday night on national television if our guys truly mean what they say
about never performing like they did against Buffalo again. Most people look
at our Seahawks as mentally soft and while I totally agree, it's still embarrassing
to hear. It should really eat at the heart of our guys to hear stuff like that
but so far that doesn't appear to be the case. We could make a statement against
the Cowboys that enough is enough and that we've got things straightened out
or we could solidify every fan and expert's opinion that we are indeed soft.
Which is it going to be, guys?
Watching our Seahawks play
like we did against Buffalo raises so many questions such as;
Why doesn't Jerheme Urban
get more playing time? I've read thate Holmgren gives him praise for the way
he actually catches the ball (imagine that Seahawks fans, a wide receiver who
can and does actually catch the ball!!!) but states that he won't see the field
very much if the other receivers are healthy. What the hell are we waiting for?
If this kid can make plays, and every indication is that he can, then why not
put him in there? He's obviously playing with a hunger that most of our other
receivers don't play with. Sure he's going to make the occasional mistake because
of inexperience but at least he can and does catch the damn ball. Put Urban
in there!!!
Why do we feature Mack Strong so much in the offensive schemes? I love Strong to death. He's a great
guy and a great player but he's a big, tough fullback who should be leading
Alexander through the holes and not the focal point of our offense on some plays.
Why give him the ball on 3rd and 10? Why run screens for a fullback when we
have Alexander and Morris available? Why run his butt up the middle 4 or 5 times
a game for a yard or two each time? Again, this is not a knock on Strong but
rather a question to Holmgren about play calling.
Why do our cornerbacks
give opposing receives so much room? I mean, we play 10 yards off of no-name
receivers who eat us alive while marching down the field. Why? Is it Ray Rhodes’
schemes? Are we afraid that Lucas and Trufant can't hang with these guys? I
personally don't think that's the case because these two guys appear to have
all the skills needed to be shut down corners and Lucas is having a really good
year but my God, we give receivers way too much room. Personally I don't think
we've been getting the safety help over the top which is causing Trufant to
give too much of a cushion in order to avoid getting beat deep. I don't think
he has the confidence that Bierria will be there to help. Again, if that's the
case then why haven't we done something about it?
Although I hated hearing
Alexander say that regardless of what happened this past Sunday we'd still be
in first place, he was right. The Rams are giving us every single opportunity
to win this division by playing just as badly as we are. Do we want it? It's
there for the taking but we don't play like it really matters. That has to change
right now. Some of our guys have openly expressed that the attitude is now different
and that the Buffalo will mark a turning point in our season. My question is
which way is it going to turn? What's it going to be guys? Are we going to be
division champs or mental midgets?
I think we'll find out real
soon.
It's a great time to be
a Seahawks fan (although sometimes I wonder), always has been, always will be.
Micky James writes weekly for Seahawks.NET. You can reach him at teamjames4@yahoo.com.