Published: Thursday, February 2, 2006
Seahawks hold an edge in big-game experience
Six Seattle players have been in the Super Bowl.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
DETROIT — Although oddsmakers say the Seahawks are four-point underdogs, Seattle's team has at least one edge against the Steelers in Super Bowl XL: big-game experience.
Six Seahawks have Super Bowl experience compared to one player for Pittsburgh.
And Steelers cornerback Willie Williams, who played on the Steelers' last Super Bowl team (1996), is expected to be deactivated for Sunday's game.
"If they have questions, I'm more than willing to help them out and talk to them about it," Seahawks defensive end Grant Wistrom said Wednesday. "But for the most part, I just try to keep my mouth shut and stay back in the shadows."
Wistrom is in his second season with Seattle after beginning his eight-year NFL career with St. Louis. Six years ago, the Rams won Super Bowl XXXIV (23-16 over the Titans) then lost to the Patriots (20-17) two years later.
The other Seahawks with Super Bowl experience are: center Robbie Tobeck, Falcons in 1999; wide receiver Joe Jurecvicius, Giants in 2001 and Buccaneers in 2003; linebacker Jamie Sharper, Ravens in 2001; safety John Howell, Buccaneers in 2003, and punter Tom Rouen, Broncos in 1998-99.
Glad to be back
Wistrom said playing again in the NFL's championship game "is huge. When I signed with Seattle, they gave me a great contract, but I wouldn't have gone anywhere just for the money.
"They also gave me the best opportunity to play in another Super Bowl," Wistrom said.
Eventually. Last year, the Seahawks won the NFC West Division then were eliminated from the playoffs by Wistrom's old team as the Rams won 27-20 in Seattle.
Wistrom says he prepares the same not matter how big the game.
"I don't get too up for big games or pull back on games that don't have as much importance," Wistrom said.
Jurevicius, a Cleveland native who played at Mentor Lake Catholic and Penn State, said there was a time in his life when he was a Steelers fan.
"One of my dad's co-workers used to buy me Steelers sweatshirts and blankets and stuff," said Jurevicius who admitted that his choice irritated his father.
"But then I turned into a Cleveland Browns fan with the Kardiac Kids and [wide receiver] Dave Logan and a lot of people that I grew up emulating.
"There's a great tradition [in Cleveland] and that's what we're trying to do in Seattle."
Jurevicius said he considers himself "lucky but I do think a lot of it is hard work."
Few changes
Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren led the Green Bay Packers to the Super Bowl in 1997 (a 35-21 win over the Patriots) and 1998 (a 31-24 upset loss to the Broncos).
Holmgren said he changed one thing from the last time he prepared for the Super Bowl.
"The only thing I changed this year was not practicing on Tuesday," said Holmgren who had his team practice after Media Day interviews.
"Denver did not practice and the players talk and my players were mad at me," Holmgren said. "I was probably wrong."
Wednesday, the Seahawks practiced in shorts and shoulder pads and Holmgren was pleased with the results.
"The enthusiasm and execution were very good," Holmgren said.
Today, the Seahawks will prepare for a crowd favoring the Steelers by having the offense go through the mechanics off getting off a play when communication is impaired.
williams@vindy.com
Thursday, February 2, 2006
Six Seattle players have been in the Super Bowl.
By TOM WILLIAMS
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
DETROIT — Although oddsmakers say the Seahawks are four-point underdogs, Seattle's team has at least one edge against the Steelers in Super Bowl XL: big-game experience.
Six Seahawks have Super Bowl experience compared to one player for Pittsburgh.
And Steelers cornerback Willie Williams, who played on the Steelers' last Super Bowl team (1996), is expected to be deactivated for Sunday's game.
"If they have questions, I'm more than willing to help them out and talk to them about it," Seahawks defensive end Grant Wistrom said Wednesday. "But for the most part, I just try to keep my mouth shut and stay back in the shadows."
Wistrom is in his second season with Seattle after beginning his eight-year NFL career with St. Louis. Six years ago, the Rams won Super Bowl XXXIV (23-16 over the Titans) then lost to the Patriots (20-17) two years later.
The other Seahawks with Super Bowl experience are: center Robbie Tobeck, Falcons in 1999; wide receiver Joe Jurecvicius, Giants in 2001 and Buccaneers in 2003; linebacker Jamie Sharper, Ravens in 2001; safety John Howell, Buccaneers in 2003, and punter Tom Rouen, Broncos in 1998-99.
Glad to be back
Wistrom said playing again in the NFL's championship game "is huge. When I signed with Seattle, they gave me a great contract, but I wouldn't have gone anywhere just for the money.
"They also gave me the best opportunity to play in another Super Bowl," Wistrom said.
Eventually. Last year, the Seahawks won the NFC West Division then were eliminated from the playoffs by Wistrom's old team as the Rams won 27-20 in Seattle.
Wistrom says he prepares the same not matter how big the game.
"I don't get too up for big games or pull back on games that don't have as much importance," Wistrom said.
Jurevicius, a Cleveland native who played at Mentor Lake Catholic and Penn State, said there was a time in his life when he was a Steelers fan.
"One of my dad's co-workers used to buy me Steelers sweatshirts and blankets and stuff," said Jurevicius who admitted that his choice irritated his father.
"But then I turned into a Cleveland Browns fan with the Kardiac Kids and [wide receiver] Dave Logan and a lot of people that I grew up emulating.
"There's a great tradition [in Cleveland] and that's what we're trying to do in Seattle."
Jurevicius said he considers himself "lucky but I do think a lot of it is hard work."
Few changes
Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren led the Green Bay Packers to the Super Bowl in 1997 (a 35-21 win over the Patriots) and 1998 (a 31-24 upset loss to the Broncos).
Holmgren said he changed one thing from the last time he prepared for the Super Bowl.
"The only thing I changed this year was not practicing on Tuesday," said Holmgren who had his team practice after Media Day interviews.
"Denver did not practice and the players talk and my players were mad at me," Holmgren said. "I was probably wrong."
Wednesday, the Seahawks practiced in shorts and shoulder pads and Holmgren was pleased with the results.
"The enthusiasm and execution were very good," Holmgren said.
Today, the Seahawks will prepare for a crowd favoring the Steelers by having the offense go through the mechanics off getting off a play when communication is impaired.
williams@vindy.com
Thursday, February 2, 2006
Although oddsmakers say the Seahawks are four-point underdogs, Seattle's team has at least one edge against the Steelers...
