Blown-out Seahawks in sad shape
RENTON, Wash. (AP) - Three consecutive blowout losses have the Seahawks in as bad a shape as they've been in years.
The 48 points scored by the Packers on Sunday were the most Seattle had allowed since 1983. Only a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter kept the Seahawks from their worst margin of defeat in history.
Yet coach Jim Mora insisted on Monday that his 5-10 team has not quit - despite losing at Houston by 27 points, to then-one-win Tampa Bay at home by 17 and at Green Bay by 38 on Sunday.
"Let me just be really clear: There is no lack of effort on this football team," Mora said, repeating what he's said all month.
But Mora understands why fans think the Seahawks effectively gave up on this season weeks ago, about the time president and general manager Tim Ruskell was forced to resign because Seattle wasn't going to renew his contract.
"I think it's very reasonable for people to question that, when you lose games by some of the scores we've lost," said the 48-year-old coach and son of the former Saints and Colts coach. "But all I can say is, having firsthand knowledge of it and having been around the league for my entire life, being in locker room and on the sidelines and on the practice field with these guys, effort is not an issue.
"There are other issues, but effort is not one of them. But I do absolutely understand the question. Shoot, if I was out there I'd be asking it, too."
That leaves the issues of a lack of talent and performance. Mora reiterated he will not address those until after the season ends Sunday against Tennessee, which is also out of playoff contention but has won seven of nine since an 0-6 start.
When asked if these defeats are indicators of how far Seattle has fallen, Mora said "it's hard to dispute a score. It's out there for everyone to see."
For this final week, the Seahawks' issues chiefly involve quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. He has struggled with mistakes recently, similar to his first season as the team's starter in 2001.
The three-time Pro Bowl passer has been battered over the past two seasons behind a shuffled and ineffective offensive line. The 34-year-old has played with a bad back, broken ribs, sore throwing shoulder and injured thumb.
In the past two losses, he has thrown eight interceptions and lost a fumble.
"There's definitely an element of forcing things," Hasselbeck said.
"Two weeks in a row personally just giving the ball to them. I'm searching for answers. I wish I had a good one."
Mora said wide receiver Nate Burleson will miss his third consecutive game with a high ankle sprain. Last week the coach said the reason the team didn't put Burleson on injured reserve to free a roster spot is essentially because there are no alternatives available this late in the season.
Starting running back Julius Jones may not play. He re-injured his bruised ribs and injured his foot at Green Bay.
Mora said rookie outside linebacker Aaron Curry is again unlikely to play Sunday, improving the chances of Tennessee's Chris Johnson reaching the 2,000-yard rushing mark in Seattle.
Curry, the fourth overall pick in April's draft, has had a neck and shoulder stinger since Dec. 20. Cornerback Josh Wilson is a question mark because of a hip pointer sustained against the Packers.
That's not all that's hurting in Seattle.
Asked for estimation of his team's mood, Mora said, "It's OK, you know. It's what you'd think."
The 48 points scored by the Packers on Sunday were the most Seattle had allowed since 1983. Only a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter kept the Seahawks from their worst margin of defeat in history.
Yet coach Jim Mora insisted on Monday that his 5-10 team has not quit - despite losing at Houston by 27 points, to then-one-win Tampa Bay at home by 17 and at Green Bay by 38 on Sunday.
"Let me just be really clear: There is no lack of effort on this football team," Mora said, repeating what he's said all month.
But Mora understands why fans think the Seahawks effectively gave up on this season weeks ago, about the time president and general manager Tim Ruskell was forced to resign because Seattle wasn't going to renew his contract.
"I think it's very reasonable for people to question that, when you lose games by some of the scores we've lost," said the 48-year-old coach and son of the former Saints and Colts coach. "But all I can say is, having firsthand knowledge of it and having been around the league for my entire life, being in locker room and on the sidelines and on the practice field with these guys, effort is not an issue.
"There are other issues, but effort is not one of them. But I do absolutely understand the question. Shoot, if I was out there I'd be asking it, too."
That leaves the issues of a lack of talent and performance. Mora reiterated he will not address those until after the season ends Sunday against Tennessee, which is also out of playoff contention but has won seven of nine since an 0-6 start.
When asked if these defeats are indicators of how far Seattle has fallen, Mora said "it's hard to dispute a score. It's out there for everyone to see."
For this final week, the Seahawks' issues chiefly involve quarterback Matt Hasselbeck. He has struggled with mistakes recently, similar to his first season as the team's starter in 2001.
The three-time Pro Bowl passer has been battered over the past two seasons behind a shuffled and ineffective offensive line. The 34-year-old has played with a bad back, broken ribs, sore throwing shoulder and injured thumb.
In the past two losses, he has thrown eight interceptions and lost a fumble.
"There's definitely an element of forcing things," Hasselbeck said.
"Two weeks in a row personally just giving the ball to them. I'm searching for answers. I wish I had a good one."
Mora said wide receiver Nate Burleson will miss his third consecutive game with a high ankle sprain. Last week the coach said the reason the team didn't put Burleson on injured reserve to free a roster spot is essentially because there are no alternatives available this late in the season.
Starting running back Julius Jones may not play. He re-injured his bruised ribs and injured his foot at Green Bay.
Mora said rookie outside linebacker Aaron Curry is again unlikely to play Sunday, improving the chances of Tennessee's Chris Johnson reaching the 2,000-yard rushing mark in Seattle.
Curry, the fourth overall pick in April's draft, has had a neck and shoulder stinger since Dec. 20. Cornerback Josh Wilson is a question mark because of a hip pointer sustained against the Packers.
That's not all that's hurting in Seattle.
Asked for estimation of his team's mood, Mora said, "It's OK, you know. It's what you'd think."