14 Jan 11 Seattle Seahawks "What would Hutch say about Hawks' running game?"

We don't know of any letter All-Pro guard Steve Hutchinson has written to his former linemates in Seattle, but if he had written one, we think it might have said something like this:Hey fellas, miss me yet? 'Cause it sure looks like you do.I know my new team, the Minnesota Vikings, is not very good. Heck, we were just 6-10 last year while you guys won the NFC West for the third straight season and were an overtime field goal away from the NFC title game again. We're only 2-4 this year while you guys are 4-3. But I also know you guys are having a heck of Seattle Seahawks jersey
a time running the ball. Remember in 2005, when Walter Jones and I formed the best left side in football and we led the league in rushing and scoring on the way to the Super Bowl? You guys look nothing like that group. Sure, Shaun Alexander is playing injured and a bit tentatively. But coach Mike Holmgren was right this week when he said it's on you guys, the ones who are supposed to pave the way for Shaun.I know you miss me because I've helped the Vikings become the league's best rushing team this season, while you guys are stumbling along at No. 20. My backs, led by rookie stud Adrian Peterson, are averaging 5.5 yards per carry -- a full 2 yards better than your boys. Tell me you don't miss me. Tell me you wouldn't be better off with me and Walter still dominating the left side, Chris Gray playing center and Rob Sims at right guard. I saw Chris Spencer, the first-round pick from 2005, against the Rams last weekend. He was falling down, missing assignments, unable to sustain or drive his blocks. He got quarterback Matt Hasselbeck hurt because he tripped St. Louis Rams jersey
over his own feet. He didn't look like the guy Holmgren thinks will be a Pro Bowl center for the next decade.And Holmgren was certainly referring to Spencer, Gray and right tackle Sean Locklear above all when he told reporters on Monday that the line, well, stinks right now."We are not blocking very well at this particular point. That must improve," Holmgren said. "I'm here to say for Shaun there is not a lot (of room) there. And we have to be better at that. We have to fix that."Holmgren said you guys are failing at every step: technique, assignments, preparation. He said he has allowed his coaches to address it to this point, but he has had enough and "... it's going to get a little tense around here if I don't see some improvement."I'm surprised he gave you guys the bye week off rather than making you bust your butts all week to get better. But you had better be prepared for one tough week when you come back for the Cleveland game. President Tim Ruskell screwed up when he didn't put the franchise marker on me last year because he thought $7 million a season Tennessee Titans jersey
was too much to pay a guard. He must have regurgitated his breakfast when he saw three lesser guards sign $7 million-per-year deals last March.But that's in the past. Nothing to do about it now. I'm here in Minnesota, leading the best running game in the NFL, and you guys are there in Seattle stumbling along with one of the worst rushing attacks in the league. You don't have to say you miss me because I know you do.