In a day in which Most Seattle Seahawk fans view Mike (Papa Bear) Holmgren as the greatest Seahawk coach ever, Mike Holmgren has been in Cleveland being courted by Cleveland Brown owner Randy Lerner. Seattle has not attempted to talk to the future hall of fame coach.

In an interview with KJR sports talk radio, Holmgren was asked what type of structure he would be involved in within the Browns organization; would he be coach and GM? President and GM?

Holmgren replied, “I think as far as, the presentation, it would be any and all. I would say it‘s a pretty wonderful opportunity for anybody. Exactly how the set up will be for me, that’s something that I‘m still thinking about. It‘s my obligation then to let the Browns know what I‘m thinking that way. so there is a little bit of a time table we’re working on, right now. I wanted time to come back and think about it and talk to some people about it and that’s where we are now.”

There have been some reports on the web that Holmgren wanted to have his situation clarified by Christmas, then another report that said clarified by this weekend. Holmgren was asked if there was any truth to those reports.

Holmgren said, “Well, I would say sooner than later. In fairness to the Browns and their organization, I think you have to do that. Whether it’s me or anyone else, I think, in dealing with any organization, I think if they have approached you and you’ve had these types of talks at this particular stage, which is a little early in the season, earlier than sometimes these things are done in fairness, I think you have to make a decision and let them know. So exactly the day, that hasn’t been decided but I would say sooner than later.”

Holmgren has been accused of campaigning for a return to Seattle by taking part in his own radio show on KJR called the Mike Holmgren Show.

Dec 4, 2009 ESPN blogger Mike Sando writes:

The more Holmgren pushes for this job, the more pressure the Seahawks will feel and the more likely they’ll be to resist those advances. It’s human nature. A little restraint would serve Holmgren well in this situation. It seems like he cannot resist. His periodic comments in recent weeks probably contributed to the angst that consumed Tim Ruskell in recent weeks. (end)

It seems even more clear that the Seahawks could have reservations about having Holmgren rejoin the organization. there could be a looming perception of negativity towards Holmgren from people close to Paul Allen.

Recently in an article from Seattle Times, columnist Steve Kelly states:

Look, I don’t think it’s a big secret and I said it on the air with you guys, that I would love to be considered for a position with the Seahawks for the reasons that have gone on and on forever. I devoted 10 years of my life to try and make the franchise and team good. I needed that year off, which I don’t regret taking. But my family is in Seattle and Seattle is my home and so there would be something really special about doing something with the organization again. But having said that, I’m a big boy and organizations make decisions and if we’re employees or coaches or general managers or whatever, you gotta live with them. A lot of decisions are out of your hands. I don’t regret saying I would love being with the Seahawks.

It has been suggested that Holmgren possibly had some one close to him leak the information that the Seahawks were not planning to renew Tim Ruskell’s contact at the end of the season. That might have irritated Seahawks CEO Tod Leiweke and owner Paul Allen.

In an article written by Post Intelligencer columnist Art Thiel, Thiel Quotes CEO Tod Leiweke from comments made from Tim Ruskell’s last press conference, “We’re going to find somebody who . . . we’re not going to join them, they’re going to join us.”

“If you saw the wet eyes and heard the quavering voice as Leiweke cut loose a personal friend and respected colleague in the middle of a work week in the middle of an already disappointing season, it wasn’t a stretch to imagine he was as irked as he was sad.”

Asked whether he has received discouraging signs from the Seahawks, Holmgren said, “No, other than the fact that there is a little bit of a time crunch here involved with Cleveland and some other people. As we are getting down the last two weeks of the season, maybe I was hoping for a few more positive signs, but no, nothing specific.”