If the importance of first impressions can never be underestimated, then Julian Peterson may have found it difficult to ever call Lofa Tatupu a friend.
The first time Peterson saw Tatupu in person, the then-rookie for the Seattle Seahawks came running out of the tunnel at the home field of Peterson’s San Francisco 49ers with some attitude to burn.
“He looked over to our sideline like, ‘Yeah, yeah. We’re gonna bring it,’” recalled Peterson, who was in his final season with the 49ers before joining the Seahawks as a 2006 free agent. “I was like, ‘Who’s this rookie out here? This is my stadium. I’m the best linebacker out here.’
“But for him to have that confidence, that showed me: OK, this guy’s got something more than the average player.”
Tatupu continues to prove that — year in and year out. And, as impossible as it seemed during his breakout rookie year, the Seahawks’ 24-year-old middle linebacker might be getting better with age.
“Lofa’s stubborn. He’s never satisfied,” teammate Chartric Darby said Thursday. “He always wants to go out there and outdo himself, day in and day out.”
Tatupu already has been to two Pro Bowls in two NFL seasons, and yet he nearly outdid himself in Sunday’s 2007 opener. Playing with a rebuilt defense that includes several other weapons, Tatupu was making plays all over the field in the 20-6 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
“It would rank right up there,” defensive coordinator John Marshall said when asked where Tatupu’s Sunday performance fit among the middle linebacker’s best games. “He was wild, flying around, and he knocked Cadillac (Williams, the Tampa Bay running back) out of the game. He was stinging people.”
Improbably, Tatupu continues to improve with each NFL season. That has something to do with the fact that he’s just as aggressive in the film room as he is on the field, but it might be more about the players that have been brought in to surround him.
The Seahawks have added several veterans since Tatupu’s statistics dropped off during the final month of his rookie year. While teams started game-planning for him after a breakout performance on Monday Night Football that season, the additions of high-priced players like Peterson, defensive end Patrick Kerney and safety Deon Grant during the past two offseasons have taken some of the attention away from Tatupu.
“Lofa was the centerpiece that one particular year,” Peterson said, “but then when they brought in people like myself and Kerney and Deon, (an opponent) really can’t game-plan for everything Lofa does.”
While the Buccaneers were trying to protect their quarterbacks from Peterson, Kerney and pass-rushing linebacker Leroy Hill on Sunday, Tatupu went about his business to the tune of eight tackles, a quarterback hit, two forced fumbles, and the bone-jarring hit that caused Williams to leave the game with bruised ribs.
“We had a great plan for them,” Tatupu said. “When the coach puts you in position to make plays, you’ve just got to make them. They’ll put who they want in that position to make the play. A couple times it was Leroy, a couple other times it was Julian or myself.”
Tatupu admitted that he’s benefited from some of the recent personnel additions, adding that Hill’s improved play has also caused opposing teams to take notice.
“They’ve got to figure out how they want to attack us,” he said. “Where they might limit me one game, Julian and Leroy will get all their stats.”
While Tatupu has been at the top of his game for most of his three-year NFL career, the undersized middle linebacker is still looking for more. “He’s Pro Bowl caliber anyway,” Hill said, “so I don’t know how much better he can get.” .
“There were a lot of games I wasn’t pleased with as a rookie, and a lot of games I wasn’t pleased with as a second-year player,” Tatupu said. “So far, I’m not pleased with my first game. There were a couple plays where I felt like I could have done better.
“But I feel like I’m taking a step in the right direction.”
Or several steps.
“He plays like he’s been in the league forever,” Darby said. “He’s a great player and a great leader. He most definitely can take it to the next level.”
Even the man who initially was put off by Tatupu is a believer now.
“I’m just so glad he’s on my team,” Peterson said.
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