Splitting up can be awkward for Hawks

KIRKLAND — Monday was getaway day.

Time for the players to clear out their lockers at team headquarters, exchange well wishes and phone numbers, laugh with and at each other for either the last time or for at least the next couple of months, and get away.

Either get out of town or take some time off to relax and reconnect with families after the 2006 season ended with a tough 27-24 overtime defeat at Chicago in the NFC divisional playoffs Sunday.

But before leaving, players and coach Mike Holmgren reflected on the season that was. A 9-7 regular-season record. Eight different starting combinations on the offensive line. A wild playoff victory. Injuries, injuries and more injuries. And a wild playoff defeat.

"It's hard. I need some time to get charged up again," Holmgren said.

"I was proud of the way the guys showed a certain resiliency this year under kind of an odd set of circumstances," Holmgren added. "I think we have a good core of players. I think the organization is in a healthy spot."

And what lies ahead? Decisions about whom to try to re-sign, whom to pursue from other teams in free agency and whom, if anyone besides center Robbie Tobeck, will step away from the game for good.

Tim Ruskell, team president and general manager, is expected to address the offseason personnel plans later this week after he and Holmgren meet today.

Monday, Holmgren spoke to the Seahawks about what the organization has built over the past four seasons, all ending in postseason appearances. He talked of the upcoming free-agency period and how being on a good team with a high character and a shot at the Super Bowl from year to year has to be considered when it comes time for those soon-to-be free agents to decide where they will play in 2007 and beyond.

"We have a few key guys that are real important to us that are going to be free agents, and obviously we'd love to have them back," quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said. "It's going to be a tough decision for those guys, but it's my hope that they come back."

The principals in the Seahawks' pool of free-agents-to-be are tight end Jerramy Stevens, safety Ken Hamlin, kicker Josh Brown, wide receivers Bobby Engram and D.J. Hackett, right guard Chris Gray, guard Floyd Womack, defensive back Jordan Babineaux and right tackle Sean Locklear.

All started games this season. Stevens, Hamlin, Brown, Engram, Gray and Womack are free to sign with any team as of March 2, when their current contracts expire. The rest are restricted free agents whose contracts also are set to expire, but the Seahawks can match another team's offer for those players.

"[Hamlin's] a Seahawk through and through, and I know he loves it out here," cornerback Marcus Trufant said. "But at the same time, you have the business side of the game, so you never know how things are going to work out."

Holmgren's remarks Monday indicated that Engram and Gray are two players the Seahawks would like to have back, unless Gray decides to retire.

Womack has been injury-plagued throughout his career but appears to be a candidate to be re-signed too.

"I'd like to be back. I love being with the Seahawks," Womack said. "But it's a business. So I have to see what's good. Leaving friends like this behind would be tough, but hopefully that won't happen."

Babineaux and restricted free agents Oliver Celestin and Will Heller, who were key on special teams with Heller getting time at tight end and fullback, also have expressed their interest in remaining Seahawks.

This offseason shouldn't have the type of major question marks as the past two, when the Seahawks had to choose whether to use their franchise tag on Shaun Alexander or Hasselbeck or Walter Jones, and then last year extended Alexander's contract and placed the transition tag on Steve Hutchinson instead of the franchise tag.

The core of the team is largely intact, but keeping players like Hamlin, Brown, Stevens and Engram — a team captain, one of the NFL's most clutch kickers, a talented tight end and an inspirational leader — also is critical.

Monday, defensive end Bryce Fisher pinpointed the hardest part about Seahawks' Exit Day.

"The toughest thing is the guys who aren't under contract, because I wish them all the best of luck," Fisher said. "I hope that wherever they end up, whether here or somewhere else, that they get the kind of deals they deserve. That's the toughest thing because it might be the last time we get to see them as a teammate."

Which guys?

"I'm talking about Bobby, Hammer [Hamlin], Jerramy," Fisher said. "Even the restricted free agents they're going to have to make decisions about. When you're on a good team, other teams come plucking."

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