Holmgren goes off on sagging Seahawks

So much for a soft, sentimental ride through Mike Holmgren's 10th and final season as Seahawks coach.

The paternal yet often fiery Holmgren ripped into his players during what he called "a truth session" on Wednesday, three days after Seattle (1-3) was embarrassed 44-6 at the New York Giants.

It was the worst margin of defeat in Holmgren's head coaching career, which began in Green Bay in 1992. It left the four-time defending NFC West champions in what Pro Bowl linebacker Julian Peterson called "almost" panic time entering Sunday's home game against the Packers (2-3).

"He's definitely tense, there's no doubt about that," quarterback Matt Hasselbeck said in a conference call to reporters in Green Bay. "Mike got up today and really laid into the offense. I mean, he gave it to us hard today.

"That was tough to take."

Holmgren is tied with Joe Gibbs for 10th all-time in NFL coaching wins with 171. He has already announced this is his final season, and Seattle has already signed defensive backs coach Jim Mora to take his place, beginning in 2009.

In a separate conference call to reporters in Green Bay, the 60-year-old Holmgren reiterated he isn't necessarily retiring - that he considers next year a "sabbatical" from football.

"I wish I could tell you how I'm going to react to this, after having done it so long and not taking a break for so many years," he said. "I don't know. I'm going to be open. Who knows? After one year, who knows? I'm going to be open to any number of things. We'll see."

As for the present, Holmgren was still talking about how unacceptable last weekend's effort was against the Giants, hours after chewing out his players. While most of Seattle's attention has been on an underperforming defense allowing 34, 33 and 44 points in losses this season - after surrendering 42 to the Packers while getting eliminated in last January's playoffs - Holmgren noted the offense has been putting the defense in tough situations.

The offense converted just one of 11 third downs against New York. For the season, Seattle is turning just 29 percent of its third-down plays into first downs. Only winless Detroit and St. Louis have worse percentages in the NFC. And with six receivers injured throughout September, Hasselbeck is the lowest-rated passer in the conference.

"We got a little bit where we were at the playground, just playing catch," Holmgren said. "Well, you can't do that and I will not accept that. I put people on notice today."

Hasselbeck said the offense has received a counterbalance to Holmgren's fire this week: coolness from offensive coordinator Gil Haskell. The 65-year-old has been on Holmgren's staffs for all but two seasons of Holmgren's head coaching career.

"Gil Haskell stands up and says, 'Listen, I can't have you guys playing tight. It's not business as unusual, we've got to pick it up. However, we've got to have fun out there. We've got to have fun, and if I see you guys at any point and you don't look like you're having fun, I'm going to get on you,'" Hasselbeck said.

"So there's a balance there. There's a fine line. And I think the veteran guys, I think the leadership on our team, I think we understand that."

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AP Sports Writer Chris Jenkins in Green Bay, Wis., contributed to this report.