Brian Blades

"He's a consummate pro, good to have in the locker room, he gives you everything he has. Those are the types of players I like to have around." -- Mike Holmgren said of Brian Blades, March 27, 1999

"It is never easy to tell a great warrior that you are moving in another direction, but that time has come. We wish Brian the very best, and even though he will no longer be wearing a Seahawks uniform, he will always be a member of this family." -- Mike Holmgren said of Brian Blades, June 5, 1999

Those who know me best know that I have often struggled with the decisions made by Mike Holmgren, particularly in his first years in Seattle. His decision to cut Brian Blades infuriated me. On March 27 he spoke highly of Blades. (See top quote above.) On June 5 he released Blades. (See lower quote above.) It took me years to get over this action by Holmgren, and when I revisit the subject I become upset all over again. I won't apologize for the comments I made in 1999 after Brian had been released. They are shown below, along with a beautiful story about my hero, Brian Blades.

From the archives...
See? This is just one more frustration in the Holmgren era. First he tells us he loves what Blades will bring to the team, intangibles that only a veteran receiver can provide!

Then he whacks him. Gracefully, but it's all the same in the end, isn't it?

And what right does Mike Holmgren have to talk about the Seahawk family, when we've got 16 players left of the original team that Mike acquired when he was hired as the Man of Many Hats for the Seattle Seahawks? What family is he referring to? He's managed to get rid of all of them. Mike 'the Terminator' Holmgren.

I get so angry! But let me step back and pause a while to reflect upon the true Seahawk family, those former Hawks who didn't fare well under the Holmgren system. We love you, Brian.

Blades OKs 1-year deal with Hawks
But receiver still low on the depth chart

Mike Sando; The News Tribune
March 27, 1999

KIRKLAND - Brian Blades is back. He never left, actually, though many suspected the Seattle Seahawks' fearless receiver had worn his familiar No. 89 jersey for the final time.

Blades, 33, agreed to terms Thursday night on a one-year contract worth $400,000. He plans to be in uniform Monday when the Seahawks open their first minicamp under new coach Mike Holmgren.

"Brian is looking forward to being a leader on this team," agent Drew Rosenhaus said Friday. "He is one of the rare guys hoping to finish his career where it began."

And while it might be an upset if Blades is still around when final cuts are made this summer, he will deal with that possibility when it comes.

As an unrestricted free agent in the twilight of his career, all Blades could hope for was a chance to prove himself to the Seahawks' new coaches.

He'll get that chance starting Monday, when Seattle holds the first of six practices during a four-day period. The emphasis will be on passing, meaning Blades should have plenty of chances to get his hands on the ball.

Holmgren, who also serves as general manager, said he believes Blades has earned another opportunity after 11 seasons of sacrificing his body like few others.

"He's a consummate pro, good to have in the locker room, he gives you everything he has," Holmgren said recently. "Those are the types of players I like to have around."

Never one to shy away from a big hit, Blades has often been counted on to make the tough catches over the middle.

With 581 catches for 7,620 yards, his numbers aren't bad, either.

Only Hall of Famer Steve Largent has more catches (819) for more yards (13,089) in team history. But not even Largent broke the 80-catch barrier for a season, as Blades has done twice.

A second-round draft choice out of Miami in 1988, Blades led the Seahawks in receiving yards as a rookie and went on to post four 1,000-yard seasons.

He peaked in 1994 with 81 catches for 1,086 yards, earning a trip to the Pro Bowl. He caught 77 passes the next season, but the following three years have been a struggle.

Off the field, Blades was implicated and later vindicated in the accidental 1995 shooting death of his cousin.

On the field, age and injuries started to limit his effectiveness and playing time.

Last season was particularly difficult as Blades, who once caught 12 passes in a single game, caught just 15 for the entire season.

Fearing the end was near, Blades cried as he left the field after the final 1998 home game.

Now, his career has been given new life.

Blades enters 1999 much the way he entered last season - behind Joey Galloway, Mike Pritchard and James Mc-Knight on the unofficial depth chart.

Blades figures to have even more competition this year because the Seahawks are expected to add a potential impact receiver through the draft.

Brian Blades | Your memories | Tribute to Blades | End of the Line