Dont kick kicker if hes down: Mora eases up on Mare's misses
ERIC D. WILLIAMS; The News Tribune
Renton His emotions got the best of him.
Expressing regret for his harsh words a day after lambasting kicker Olindo Mare for missing two field goals in a 25-19 loss to Chicago, Seattle Seahawks head coach Jim Mora softened his stance while talking to reporters during his weekly news conference Monday.
I have very high, high expectations for Olindo, and its because of the work that hes done in this league, Mora said. Hes been an outstanding kicker, and hes done a lot of great things for us. I think I let the emotion of the game get to me in my answers about Olindo.
Mare, in his 14th year, missed wide left from 34 and 43 yards, while making four other kicks in the teams second straight loss. Mare finished the 2008 season 24-of-27 on field goals.
Mora went on to say that when he was asked about Mares performance on Sunday he answered honestly, but perhaps with a bit too much enthusiasm. Mora said the Seahawks had a team meeting and discussed the issue.
Asked if he intended to bring in another kicker, Mora said no. However, Mora did say the team will work out players as they do every Tuesday and look at possible adjustments to the roster, although the team remains hamstrung in terms of making roster moves because none of the injured players is on the injured reserve list.
His kickoffs were fabulous yesterday, Mora said. Would I have liked for him to make those two kicks? Yeah. But I wouldnt like him to make them anymore than hed like to make them.
Mora had said Sunday that Mares performance was not acceptable.
If youre a kicker in the National Football League you should make those kicks bottom line, Mora said. End of story. Period. No excuses. No wind, doesnt matter. Youve gotta make those kicks.
Especially in a game like this, where youre kicking and fighting and scratching your tail off and you miss those kicks, its not acceptable. Not acceptable. Absolutely not acceptable.
As far as injuries go, Mora said hes uncertain if quarterback Matt Hasselbeck will return to the field. Hasselbeck missed Sundays game with a cracked rib. Mora said he probably will not practice Wednesday.
The news is better for linebacker Lofa Tatupu. Mora said Tatupu ran sprints and looked good Monday, and if all goes well this week he could be ready to play Sunday at Indianapolis.
Offensive tackle Walter Jones will continue to be evaluated this week, and could return to action Sunday. Fullback Justin Griffith (knee) likely will not practice this week and will be evaluated Friday.
Offensive guard Rob Sims is questionable for Sunday after an MRI revealed he strained his oblique against the Bears. Offensive tackle Brandon Frye suffered a strained groin and could miss a day or two of practice, but should be ready Sunday.
Mora said cornerback Ken Lucas (groin) is feeling better and should practice this week.
Extra points
Mora said the team will submit the replay reversal of Chicago running back Matt Fortes fumble near the goal line for further consideration to the league. Every replay that Ive seen in my eyes is inconclusive, he said. And the rule states if its inconclusive, then the ruling on the field stands. But I have not had all the views that the official making the call had. So he saw it differently than I did. And it was a big play in the game.
On whether or not Seattles loss means the end of the lime-green alternative jerseys, Mora said: My kids liked it, I know that. They liked it a lot. I dont make the decision on what uniform we wear. Its not technically my decision exclusively. I bet you that if wed have won that game, lime green would have been looking a lot better.
Eric D. Williams: 253-597-8437
eric.williams@thenewstribune.com
blog.thenewstribune.com/seahawks
