FanHouse TimRuskell

It was kind of obvious when the Seahawks inked Koren Robinson that people would start asking about things like "character" and "crazy" and "policemen". And, sure enough, reporters wanted to get GM Tim Ruskell's take on K-Rob's return to the great northwest.

Sure. There's risk. Obviously I feel better about it now [than] when I first heard about [it] or thought about the idea. We did a lot of research. We didn't just do this haphazardly or spur-of-the-moment. A lot of people in the organization were involved. Initially when I heard, or Coach [Holmgren] had brought it up, I was against it, just because everybody knows what our commitment is philosophically in terms of character. My first involvement with Koren, he was going through some tough things and some bad incidents that had gotten public.

My whole deal was, we just can't have knuckleheads around here. That can't happen. That's not how you win. So we got rid of several players that, I felt, fell under that umbrella, and I thought that would be the end of it. Obviously this little crisis we're going through with the receivers made a lot of names come up and I really wasn't even thinking of Koren.

Lots of research, huh? Was this before or after both Logan Payne and Seneca Wallace both got hurt?

It's entirely conceivable that Ruskell and the Seahawks management have been talking about K-Rob for a while, but to imply that there is anything that relates to character here seems a little disingenuous. I don't expect them to go out and ink Chris Henry or anything ridiculous like that, but this signing is obviously fueled by desperation, not some long thought-out process re: quality of character. Also, great to have you here, Koren! Really looking forward to working with you.

Earlier, FanHouse's Michael David Smith mentioned that Seahawks head coach Mike Holmgren will take time before deciding if he has coached his last NFL game. Holmgren has been in Seattle for nine seasons, and spent seven season before that in Green Bay, including a 1996 Super Bowl victory.

This isn't shocking news -- Holmgren has hinted at retirement for some time now -- but there's still the issue of who would replace him. On The NFL Today, Charley Casserly pointed out that if Holmgren does call it quits, assistant coach Jim Mora Jr. could be his successor.

The Falcons fired Mora last year after he compiled a 26-22 record in three seasons, including a trip to the NFC Championship game. (I'm guessing Arthur Blank would "settle" for that now.) Mora also missed out on the Dolphins head-coaching job that eventually went to Cam Cameron, which turned out to be a blessing.

Casserly added that the Seahawks general manager, Tim Ruskell, worked with Mora in Atlanta. Their relationship there could play a part in Mora replacing Holmgren. That, and Mora is a pretty good coach well versed in the West Coast Offense.

One of the big questions today is if the Seahawks defense can stop the suddenly potent Redskins offense led by ... Todd Collins. Yeah, I didn't see that coming either. There are plenty of reasons to think Seattle will win; they're playing at home, Matt Hasselbeck, and a smothering defense, particularly against the run. But the old cliché about games not being played on paper applies here, hence the 4:30 p.m. kickoff.

Football Outsiders ranks Seattle's defense 11th (fourth in the NFC), and fifth against the run. A lot of that success has to do with the Seahawks' defensive line, particularly Craig Terrill, who the team just re-upped for three more years.

A sixth-round choice in the 2004 draft, Terrill enjoyed the most productive season of his career in 2007, appearing in all 16 games and registering 25 tackles. The Seattle coaches use a four-man rotation at tackle and Terrill, 27, is one of the quartet's best defenders against the run.

According to ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli, Terrill's deal runs through 2010, is worth about $5 million, and includes base salaries of $900,000 (for 2008), $1.15 million (2009) and $1.15 million (2010).

The Seahawks are seldom mentioned with the Patriots, Steelers, and Eagles when it comes to roster-building, but general manager Tim Ruskell and head coach Mike Holmgren deserve a lot of credit. From Hasselbeck to Lofa Tatupu to Terrill, Seattle has been one of the NFC's best teams over the last five seasons. And a lot of it has to do with the front office.

That's what John Czarnecki is suggesting. Signed through the '08 season, Czar says it's possible Holmgren doesn't return to the Seahawks after the year, and that he could be replaced by former Falcons head coach, Jim Mora.

One theory is that if he wins another Super Bowl, he'll walk off into the sunset, his coaching life fulfilled. Another thought is that he's signed through 2008 and maybe he doesn't want to enter next season as a lame duck coach. The final part is that former Falcons head coach Jim Mora, now coaching the Seattle secondary, has the look of a successor-in-waiting, biding his time until owner Paul Allen or General Manager Tim Ruskell make a decision on Holmgren.

"Right now I'm thinking I want to come back (next season), but I'm never sure if they want me back," Holmgren said.
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It has been like this for the last few years as Holmgren lost his GM clout while no one really seemed to listen to his recommendations, be it about on-field talent or who really should be running this franchise. He lost all power and ultimate control, one of the big reasons he fled Green Bay for the Northwest in the first place.

If I'm going to put any stock into this rumor, it would be based on Holmgren's lack of control within the organization. Also, if he were to leave, it wouldn't be a bad time, considering the Seahawks didn't have a first round pick in the most recent draft as a result of the Deion Branch trade. Regardless, should Holmgren walk, he would be highly coveted by several NFL teams.