Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said Wednesday he "kind of messed up" when he said the NFL told him there were officiating mistakes made during last Sunday's overtime win over the New York Giants. "I think it's kind of a tempest in a teapot," Holmgren said near the end of news conference. "I kind of messed up. What I should have said was, 'I talked to the league, but what was said was confidential.' " Holmgren said he expected the league to fine him for breaching its confidentiality agreement between teams and the NFL officiating department regarding on-field decisions. The 14-year NFL head coach is one of eight members of the league's competition committee that oversees rules and game operations. "Now, because of the potential fines, my kids won't get Christmas stockings," Holmgren said, laughing.

The Seahawks continue to work toward a long-term contract for Pro Bowl RB Shaun Alexander, coach Mike Holmgren said. ?To Shaun?s credit, he?s just kind of letting that happen and playing football, which is what he should do,? Holmgren said. ?He?s handling it perfectly.?

Seattle Seahawks defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes, who had a mild stroke two months ago, was hospitalized Friday after another "episode" and will miss Sunday's game at Arizona. "It wasn't as severe as the first one," coach Mike Holmgren said, declining to say if Rhodes had another stroke. "I'll let the medical people define that," he said. The Seahawks wouldn't say where Rhodes was hospitalized. Rhodes missed the Seahawks' opener at Jacksonville Sept. 11 after being hospitalized for two days after complaining of dizziness. Doctors diagnosed his medical problem as a mild stroke. Linebackers coach John Marshall has been serving as Seattle's defensive coordinator this season although Rhodes has been sitting next to him in the press boxes at games. Rhodes will not be in Arizona, Holmgren said. Holmgren said Rhodes "started feeling really tired last night" and called his doctor after arriving at work at the Seahawks' headquarters Friday morning. Rhodes then was advised to go to the hospital, Holmgren said.

The Seattle Seahawks will pay Ken Hamlin's contract for 2005, even though they are no longer bound to because his season was ended by a non-football injury. Coach Mike Holmgren confirmed Wednesday the NFC West-leading Seahawks agreed to pay the rest of Hamlin's salary for this season -- $245,882 remaining on his $380,000 base pay. Holmgren called it "the right thing to do." Hamlin's agent, Lawrence Temple, said in an e-mail to The Associated Press: "Obviously, we appreciate it very much. The Seahawks are doing the right thing by standing by their player, who was the victim of an assault."