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<< Previous   of   Next >> Associated Press  (click to enlarge) Seahawks cornerback Marcus Trufant and linebacker Leroy Hill (right) are two of 11 starters returning to the Seattle defense for the 2008 season.   ADVERTISEMENT   ADDITIONAL ITEMS • Seattle Seahawks (External Link) • Stats (External Link)   CONTACT THE HERALD Report scores and results to 425-339-3470 or 1-866-6-SCORES (Call after 4:30 p.m.) E-mail information including items for Tuesday's Communities Sports Roundup and Thursday's Outdoor Calendar, to sports@heraldnet.com Kevin Brown, Sports Editor kbrown@heraldnet.com   Published: Wednesday, June 11, 2008 Seahawks enjoy full return on defense For the first time ever, the Seahawks bring back all 11 defensive starters from a year ago By Scott M. Johnson Herald Writer KIRKLAND -- During his five years in the NFL, Seattle Seahawks cornerback Marcus Trufant has seen plenty of changes. This year could mark the most staggering change he's seen yet. That is, no change at all. "It's pretty rare," Trufant said of the possibility the Seahawks could start the same 11 players who started the bulk of last season's games. "You don't get to keep a team together like that with the way the business is. "You never know how it's going to work out. It's a good thing for us that we were able to bring everybody back." Seattle's 2008 defense has a chance to be the first Seahawks unit to return all 11 starters from the previous season. The only 2007 starter who appears to be in danger of losing his job is defensive end Darryl Tapp, who's hoping to hold off rookie first-round pick Lawrence Jackson for the starting job. The other position battles have about as much competition as a one-on-one basketball game between Kobe Bryant and Hillary Clinton. Barring injury, Patrick Kerney is going to start at defensive end. Julian Peterson, Lofa Tatupu and Leroy Hill are going to start at linebacker. And the secondary of Marcus Trufant, Kelly Jennings, Deon Grant and Brian Russell is also back. A deep group of defensive tackles could create some battles at those positions, but chances are pretty good that Rocky Bernard and Brandon Mebane will be back in the starting lineup again. Peterson is among the players who are happy to have the same crew returning. "We just want to keep improving and take another step as a defense," he said. "We have a chance to do something very special and be one of the greatest Seahawk defenses of all time." Seattle's 2007 defense ranked 15th in the NFL last season but was often dominant at home. The Seahawks gave up 306.3 yards, and 13.9 points, per game at home last season, as compared to 391.6 yards, and 22.5 points, per game on the road. The Seahawks' offseason priority is to figure out how to play consistent defense -- at home and on the road -- in 2008. "It's easier said than done," Trufant said. "You're more comfortable at home. On the road, you've got the opposing fans and all the other elements. You've got to be able to overcome that and play ball. We're not doing any major overhauls, just little things here and there to clean it up." Trufant has been the biggest key to Seattle's continuity this offseason. He went into free agency after the best year of his career, and yet the first-time Pro Bowler decided to sign a long-term contract with the Seahawks. Pro Bowl middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu, who was slated to become a free agent next spring, followed soon thereafter. In recent offseasons, the Seahawks have added veterans like Peterson, Kerney and Grant to the defense. This time around, the biggest names added to the unit include a rookie (Jackson) and a former University of Washington star who is in for a battle just to make the roster (Larry Tripplett). So for the most part, Seattle's defense could look very much the same in the fall as it did in 2007. "When I was in San Fran, we kept a fair amount of guys around, but never all 11 starters," said Peterson, who spent six seasons with the 49ers before signing with Seattle in 2006. "You need to keep eight or nine guys, because guys trust each other and it's like one big family. And when you're playing with someone you care about, it makes it a whole lot easier." By way of comparison, the Seahawks' offense featured the same 11 primary starters from 2002 to 2004. Seattle's offense also was identical in 1986 and '87. One of the biggest question marks involves Bernard, who has a lingering criminal case and is coming off toe surgery. Bernard is due back in court next week on a domestic assault case. Tatupu also has a court date scheduled for next week after formally being charged with DUI earlier this week. His case stems from a May 10 incident in which Tatupu was pulled over in Kirkland. As Bernard's health goes, Tuesday was a step in the right direction in that he was back working with the No. 1 defense. If the few lingering questions are answered in the Seahawks' favor, the 2008 defense could come out looking an awful lot like the '07 unit. "Anytime you can bring back the same group from the year before, and you know each other like the back of your hand, you feel more comfortable," Trufant said. "You can just let loose and go play ball."

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