'Where've you been?'

Focused on the field, Holmgren adds Rhodes to bolster D

Mike Holmgren is two games under .500 in four years, just like predecessor Dennis Erickson. Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

By B. Duane Cross, SI.com

After posting a 31-33 record in his first four seasons, Mike Holmgren could see the writing on the wall. His days as GM and head coach of the Seattle Seahawks were numbered. Eventually pressured into giving up the role of GM, Holmgren remains head coach and executive vice president of football operations. Former Arizona Cardinals GM Bob Ferguson now handles player personnel.

Still, Holmgren has embraced the change, noting that Ferguson is "good at what he does."

In an interview with the News Tribune of Tacoma, Wash., in February, almost two months after stepping down as GM, Holmgren said: "It's my hope that we can keep everyone together and go on from here. We are better having [Ferguson] on board. He is really good."

And so too could the Seahawks be.

Offensively, Seattle has the skill position players -- QB Matt Hasselbeck, RB Shaun Alexander, WRs Koren Robinson, Darrell Jacosn and Bobby Engram -- to get the job done; the Seahawks averaged 22.2 points per game (16th in the NFL).

Defensively, it's another story, which is why Ferguson drafted four defensive players among the team's first seven picks. CB Marcus Trufant and S Ken Hamlin were Seattle's first two choices, then the Seahawks added ILB Solomon Bates and DT Rashad Moore in Rounds 4 and 6.

Trufant is expected to play a significant role in 2003, which is OK with fellow CB Shawn Springs. "Marcus is a big addition," Springs said. "He's a young talent who can make some plays. He can help, especially in the NFC West, where every team we play -- Arizona, St. Louis, San Francisco -- has three good receivers. You need a whole bunch of help."

Seattle also hired Ray Rhodes as its defensive coordinator, a move that received rave reviews from the players. "He's just got a butt-kicking attitude that spreads through the team," LB Chad Brown said. "Having him here might be the move of the offseason.

"Not that he's always yelling at you, but he uses some choice words to express his displeasure," Brown said. "That gets guys going. He's just a fun, good guy to be around, as much as he works you hard."

"[Rhodes] brings a lot of respect," Springs said. "He played in the league. He knows his stuff. For a cornerback, talking to Ray Rhodes, it's like, 'Where've you been?' He's a great coach, a great motivator."

If Rhodes improve the Seahawks' 32nd-ranked rushing defense, his reputation as a "great coach" may even rival that of his boss. At the least it will make Seattle a contender in the NFC West.