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Let it be said that the Seahawks went out with a bang!! Regardless of whether or not we slip into the playoffs by the skin of our teeth, that was a fun game today! One of the best of the season, I think!! We saw some great plays by many of our players and we saw some great action by the Chiefs as well. But you know what I liked most about the game? THE FUN! It was so refreshing to see Trent Dilfer out on the field laughing! This was a pressure game, but he was having fun and it was contagious to this fan! At times he looked pitiful with passes too low or behind the receiver but he never got down about it, he just kept going! That's what I love about a player! And a person. We're not perfect! Quarterbacks throw interceptions. Running backs fumble. Receivers miss balls. Defenders miss tackles. Fans say stupid things. ALL forgivable if they turn around and get it right the next time!! Whatever you say about the Seahawks this season, whatever you say about who should or shouldn't be starting, today the players rose above human error to win the game. THAT is the kind of Seahawks football that I love!! A passing game is exciting! I don't know what's up with Koren Robinson coming to a team meeting late again this week, but did you see the determination on his face after a pass today! AWESOME!! Darrell Jackson has piled up stats this year rather stealthily, but the fans who have looked closely know that he's a rising star! Bobby Engram started the season as a 3rd down receiver whether that was the intention or not, but his clutch plays gave him more work in the end of the season and he came through for us! WHO would have guessed that Christian Fauria, our big tight end, would go deep for a 20 yard reception in today's game? And James Williams, when asked to step in for Robinson, played brilliantly!! THAT...is teamwork. And THAT...is fun! A running game is great when it works, very frustrating when it doesn't. I think we all get discouraged with that play that goes right up the middle for a loss of 2. It's happened with every running back and it's going to keep happening, but every so often Ricky Watters or Shaun Alexander finds the hole and then look at them go!!! In the fourth quarter when Shaun was finding lanes, that was SO exciting!!! A stellar season for Alexander, and I can't wait to see what he can do for us next year!! When Alexander went to the locker room early in the game for an ankle x-ray, James Graham came into the game to carry the load. He did an outstanding job. It makes me feel even more confident in an already-strong RB position. I still think it's incredible that Mack Strong received the Steve Largent Award!! Mack has been such a team player, and this year he's had so many good blocks for Shaun Alexander!! I'm very proud of him! Offense is the fun part of football, and this game was flat out fun! I noticed a complete change of pace, and demeanor, in the second half. In the second quarter, Dilfer was laughing so much. When Jackson scored the touchdown, he went to the fans and let them beat on him with their congratulations! It was a huge party that was fun to watch even on television! But when the players came out for the second half, Dilfer was flat and was minus the smile, not as a result of bad plays. I noticed it as soon as he walked onto the field. WHAT HAPPENED in the locker room at half time? That I'd love to know because it seemed to me that they came back out almost demoralized. That's probably a bit strong, but the feeling was very different. I'm not surprised that we struggled in the 3rd quarter. The blocked punt by the Chiefs could have been the turning point. No one blocked the defender and we're lucky Feagles wasn't injured on the play. The Chiefs scored a touchdown a couple of plays later. But then, to their credit our defense held up on the next series when the Chiefs were in the red zone, not giving them more than a field goal. That was terrific defense especially under the circumstances of the momentum swing! I think that shows maturity and competitiveness! Later in the game Feagles had another near disaster when he dropped the snap for a punt. He recovered as well as could be expected and attempted to throw a pass, which was the best that could be done at that point. We had our share of mistakes today, but I still say it was one exciting and fun football game!! I can't let the day go without mentioning Isaiah Kacyvenski! He's a fan favorite due in large part to his excitement and enthusiasm with each tackle, so when he got that interception today and starting running it back, you couldn't help but laugh with him because you KNEW how happy he was at that moment!! He's a guy you've got to love! On the other side of the ball, Priest Holmes, someone I highly respect and admire, set the league season record for rushing yards. I can't think of a player more deserving. I stand in awe. Dick Vermeil is another person I want to congratulate for being such a likable figure in the world of sports. Those of you who know me know I'm NOT NOT NOT a Chiefs fan. For me to compliment players of the Chiefs is remarkable, for me to salute a coach is almost unbelievable!! (I'm holding my tongue on Schottenheimer and Cunningham!) Dick Vermeil has so much class. When he shook Holmgren's hand at the end of the game and smiled warmly, it felt so genuine. I have to admit that I was disappointed that Holmgren couldn't muster a warm smile in return. Thus we near the end of a season of turmoil. Hasselbeck or Dilfer? Watters or Alexander? Will Shawn Springs get healthy, and when he does will he be able to play? Will our young corners hold up under pressure? Will Lindell be hot or cold today? We never knew from one game to the next. The fans had one opinion; Holmgren often had another. I found the tension very distracting; the conservative play-calling boring. I never thought I'd be asking to have Bob Bratkowski back but there were times...no, scratch that. As bad as it was, I never wanted Bratkowski back!!! I know I stepped on toes of fellow Seahawks fans by my outspoken dislike of Mike Holmgren. I apologize for causing dissent among fans but there was nothing about today that makes me feel differently. I honestly feel that had Dilfer played when Hasselbeck was injured, we wouldn't be hoping for a miracle tomorrow night. Some of you think a 9/7 season is acceptable. I don't. Mike Holmgren, the highest paid coach in the NFL, hasn't made us any better. You can argue all you like but if we squeak into the play-offs, it's because his game plan fell apart when Hasselbeck was injured. That's what I believe. At this point, we cheer for Mike Tice, the interim coach of the Minnesota Vikings! Let's see if our former Seahawk can do us a favor tomorrow night with a victory!!! GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO VIKINGS!!!!!!!!!!
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