Seattlest: Local Losers Still Sore

David

Thu, 30 Mar 2006 11:18:16 -0800

As we are learning in painful ways bad calls are as much a part of the game as last second shots, or walk off home runs. You just have to take them, it's all a part of being a sports fan. A shitty, shitty part.

Seth

Wed, 29 Mar 2006 16:32:03 -0800

I just remembered--don't know if you've ever read "You're Missing a Great Game" by former Cards manager Whitey Herzog--came out in 2001 or something. Anyway, he was still pissed about the Denkinger call, which pretty much cost the Cards the 1987 World Series. He says that, if he had to do it over again, he'd PULL HIS TEAM OFF THE FIELD and demand some sort of reivew. I wonder if any coach/manager will ever have the guts to do that. At some point, there's got to be a point at which a call is SO BAD and at such a critical juncture, that it justifies such drastic action. Then again, maybe not.

Ryan

Wed, 29 Mar 2006 16:26:06 -0800

Fair enough. I guess there's plenty of blame to go around.

Seth

Wed, 29 Mar 2006 16:24:03 -0800

Not to mention his AWFUL clock management.

Seth

Wed, 29 Mar 2006 16:10:39 -0800

Good point, Ryan--though I think Holmgren might focus a little less on the officials and a little more on the fact that he, as usual, gave up on the running attack too early in the game. If the refs hadn't been the story, that would've been. If Holmgren lets Alexander keep running (he averaged nearly 5 yds./rush for the game), the Steelers defense would've tired out and the Hawks would have come back. Instead, Hasselbeck threw 49 passes and we lost by 11 points. Blaming the refs is a good way to avoid turning the glare on yourself.

Ryan

Wed, 29 Mar 2006 15:53:20 -0800

I think you're being harsh. Holmgren's entire career revolves around the goal of winning the Superbowl. To be so close to that and then have it seemingly stripped away because of shitty officiating would be a very tough thing to get over. It's easier for fans (I'm assuming you're one) to get over it because we have other things to occupy us. But Holmgren doesn't. This is his life. And if he wasn't still pissed off only two months afterward then I'd be worried that he's lost his desire to coach. Thus, I'm happy he's still mad. He should be. It's been two months, Seth. I mean, damn, I'm still disappointed over a potentially great round of golf that slipped away from me 2 years ago. It's human nature. If you care. Or is it still uncool to care?

David

Wed, 29 Mar 2006 14:05:44 -0800

The first four paragraphs of Jeff Jacobs' article made me cry at my desk.