Holmgren not pleased with suspension of Hawks' Springs

KIRKLAND, Wash. (AP) - Cornerback Shawn Springs doesn't need anabolic steroids to be a star in the NFL, Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren says.

"For a gifted athlete to come out of college and think he can get something extra to compete, that bothers me a lot," Holmgren said Wednesday, the day after Springs was suspended for four games by the league for violating its policy on anabolic steroids and related substances.

"We do everything in our power here as an organization, as a coaching staff, to talk to that, to educate our guys," he said.

Springs, a one-time Pro Bowler who was the third player picked by the Seahawks in the 1997 draft, was the first player suspended in the history of the franchise for violating the league's steroids policy.

"If they're good enough to be drafted in the first round, they don't need to take an aspirin," Holmgren told his weekly news conference. "They don't need to take anything. You're good enough, flat good enough to play."

The loss of Springs until Dec. 24 leaves the Seahawks (5-5) without one of their top defensive players as they try to reach the playoffs. Instead of Springs, a five-year veteran from Ohio State who is the son of former NFL running back Ron Springs, the Seahawks will start rookie Ken Lucas, a second-round draft choice from Mississippi. Springs, 26, has 64 career starts.

Holmgren said he knew Tuesday's announcement about his star cornerback was a possibility.

"I knew the process was going on," he said. "Shawn brought me into the loop early. It's been awhile. We've just been waiting. The whole process takes time. They don't want to make mistakes."

Holmgren said the league's confidentiality policy with the NFL Players Association did not allow him to say specifically when he learned of the Springs' case.

Springs was not reachable Wednesday through the Seahawks' office but told The Seattle Times in a telephone interview he didn't realize he had taken a prohibited substance.

"A lot of times, because of what the league can and cannot say, you get cast a drug user and with me that wasn't the case," he said. "It was an honest mistake and a one-time thing. Obviously, had I known what it was, I wouldn't have taken it."

Quoting an unnamed NFL source, The Times reported that Springs took a substance last summer in hopes that it would help him avoid a hamstring injury.

According to the newspaper account, he tested positive in a mandatory screening for all players in August, and the penalty was announced after his last appeals were rejected by the league.

"I'm more sad for my teammates and whole situation and how it came out," Springs said. "That's not how I wanted it to come out. Especially now, we're driving for (the playoffs) and now this."

He said he would give a more detailed account in a few days after he talks with his agent and lawyer.

"This is very disappointing to us and it's very disappointing to him obviously," Holmgren said, "but the anabolic steroid is not good for you. There are lessons to be learned from this. Let's learn them...

"Now we just have to make the best of it as a team."

Holmgren said the Seahawks had only limited control over their athletes. Springs often skips the team's off-season conditioning program and works out with friends and former teammates from Ohio State.

"There seems to be a movement that in the off-season people will get together and train in warm weather places or wherever it is," Holmgren said. "They've away from our training staff, our strength and conditioning. For a while, we lose our control."

Springs' suspension will be expensive. He'll lose $355,555 from his $1.6 million salary this season.

"He made a mistake and he's going to pay for it," said Willie Williams, Seattle's other starting cornerback. "Hopefully, he can think about what he did and come back ready to go. I was upset because we definitely need Shawn."

Notes: To take Springs' place on their roster for the next four games, the Seahawks signed DE Matt LaBounty, a nine-year NFL veteran who was with the team from 1996-2000. LaBounty was released by the Seahawks Sept. 2 on their final training camp cut. Holmgren said LaBounty will play Sunday against the San Diego Chargers at Husky Stadium. ... The Seahawks could be without starting DE Lamar King for the second straight game. King (calf) is listed as doubtful this week.