Holmgren turns to passing game

KIRKLAND — Call it going back to his roots. When Mike Holmgren arrived in 1999 to take over the Seahawks, he spoke of passing the ball 60 percent of the time and running it 40 percent.

Over the years, those percentages changed as Shaun Alexander established his presence as an MVP-caliber ball carrier, Mack Strong became a Pro Bowl lead blocker and the offensive line was anchored by Steve Hutchinson, crafty veteran Robbie Tobeck and totally healthy Walter Jones. The running game cut into the percentage of pass plays.

Now things have come full circle after the Seahawks' fourth loss of the season Sunday. No more "2.5 yards and a cloud of dust," as Holmgren joked Monday. With the Seahawks struggling to find continuity in their running game and the offense buoyed by the play Sunday of quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and his receivers, Holmgren seems intent on going back to the air more frequently.

"I was encouraged by our receivers and how we threw the ball [Sunday]," Holmgren said, "and that might be the way we have to go now. Play to our strengths just a little bit, how we're going right now. Instead of striving for balance, maybe we have to tip the scales just a little bit to be at our most productive.

"It puts a lot on Matt's shoulders, but in the long haul it might help our running game," Holmgren added.

The running game that used to feature a productive and healthy Alexander and experienced blockers is now hardly a factor in games. And Alexander is hurting as defenses continue to zero in on him — he has a broken left wrist that will probably keep him in that cast for the rest of the season, Holmgren said, and he might not practice much this week because of soreness from minor left knee and ankle sprains he suffered Sunday.

Maurice Morris would start or play more if Alexander is out or limited when the Seahawks host the San Francisco 49ers on Monday night.

"It's my understanding it wasn't real serious," Holmgren said of Alexander's latest injuries. "At this point I don't know what the situation will be by the end of the week. I'm hopeful, but I don't know."

Alexander had X-rays and was walking without an aid Monday.

Holmgren said he isn't going to totally abandon the run.

"I'm not going to go crazy with this thing, but I think right now I'm encouraged by how we're throwing the ball," Holmgren said. "Please don't misunderstand what I'm saying, we still have to run the ball. We will run the ball."

Hasselbeck said he expects to run the offense as usual.

"He can do whatever he wants to do. He has the call sheet, and he gets to call the plays," Hasselbeck said. "He's going to do whatever he thinks is the best for the football team. He could just be saying that and be planning on running the ball, I don't know."

José Miguel Romero: 206-464-2409 or jromero@seattletimes.com