Shawn Springs played seven seasons in Seattle and used to go up against the Seahawks' offense every day in practice. Perhaps more than any other Redskins player or coach, Springs knew what to expect from the Seahawks, even after Shaun Alexander left the game with a concussion.
Seattle finished the regular season ranked second in the NFL in offense. In Saturday's 20-10 win over the Redskins, the Seahawks compiled 334 total yards of offense.
The Redskins' defense was solid most of the afternoon, but the Seahawks made adjustments in play-calling and adapted quickly after Alexander departed. Fourth-year player Maurice Morris took over for Alexander.
"Their offense is a great system," Springs said. "Their offensive line is really good. They are going to run the ball with or without Shaun in the lineup. They'll plug in guys and make plays."
Springs said he was notsurprised to see Seahawks' quarterback Matt Hasselbeck step up and carry the Seattle offense.
Hasselbeck completed 16-of-26 passes for 215 yards and one touchdown pass. He also had a 6-yard touchdown run in which he out-raced Springs on a scramble into the end zone.
"I wasn't surprised because I've seen him do that before," Springs said. "Matt's a good player. If Shaun is not the MVP, then Matt could be. And he's been doing that all year. That's the type of player he is. He cam scramble and he can move. He can stay in the pocket and throw it."
In the moments after the game, Springs declined to reflect on the Redskins' season and the six-game winning streak that catapulted them into Saturday's game at Seattle.
"It wasn't a magical run or anything like that," Springs said. "We have a pretty good football team and we played well over the last six weeks. We beat some good teams. We were just overmatched today.
"We ran into a good team that was home and was better than us. The thing we talked about after the game was hopefully we can get home-field advantage next year so that we don't have to go on the road for the playoffs. Everyone knows we're a totally different team at FedExField."
-- ARRINGTON: 'I LOVE IT HERE'
Linebacker LaVar Arrington was particularly emotional as he talked to media in the locker room after the game.
The popular Redskins linebacker has had an up-and-down season, one that started with him uncertain about his playing time and ended with him fitting into a key role at weak-side linebacker on defense.
Along the way, Arrington has made some comments to the media that he says he regrets.
"I love it here," Arrington said. "I love the fans here. I love everything about being in Washington. I know I said some things I probably shouldn't have said, out of the heat of the moment. I have regrets for that. I love being a Redskin through and through."
Arrington, who has played six seasons in Washington, said he can vision the Redskins being a playoff contender again next season.
"This is the greatest building block that I have been a part of," Arrington said. "I just hope that I'm a part of it next year and that next step."
-- AT THE GAME
Renaldo Wynn, Randy Thomas and David Patten were on the sidelines at Qwest Field lending support to the team. All three were placed on injured reserve earlier this season and were named captains for the Seahawks playoff game.
Patten was sidelined mid-season with a knee injury. Thomas fractured his fibula in Week 15. Wynn suffered a broken forearm in last week's Wild Card win over Tampa Bay.
-- FANS @ PARK
About 100 fans were at Redskins Park when the team arrived at the facility early on Sunday morning. They cheered wildly--in cold, windy conditions--as buses drove by.
Among the many signs: "Thanks for a Great Season, Redskins!"
