KIRKLAND – When Cedric Woodard and Rashad Moore first met in the spring of 2003, they shared few traits other than the fact they were fighting for the same roster spot.
Sixteen months later, the two defensive tackles represent the heart and soul of the Seattle Seahawks’ revamped run defense.
“Anybody who knows football will tell you that the path to a good run defense starts with good tackles,” linebacker Anthony Simmons said. “They’re guys who can stuff it up there on the line of scrimmage and not give any ground.”
Had it not been for an offseason injury to veteran Chad Eaton, one or both of Seattle’s young defensive tackles probably would have been cut before the 2003 regular season. But they both made the team, and by Week 9 they were alongside each other in the starting lineup.
The rest, as they say, is history. After giving up an average of 115.9 rushing yards per contest through the first eight games of 2003, the Seahawks have yielded 98.4 per contest in the 10 games since.
Seattle has not allowed any of its past five opponents to rush for 100 yards as a team, including the Green Bay Packers in January’s playoff loss, and the New Orleans Saints in Sunday’s 2004 opener.
“We thrive on stopping the run,” said Moore, a second-year player from Tennessee. “That’s what we’re here for, and that’s what we try to do.”
Other than an affinity for creating havoc on the line of scrimmage, Seattle’s starting interior linemen share little in common.
Woodard is the quiet, blue-collar guy who does a lot of the dirty work. Moore is the boisterous guy who lets opponents know when they’ve made a mistake.
Woodard has a 6-foot-2, 310-pound frame that is considered rather slight by defensive tackle standards. At 6-3, 324, Moore carries an imposing presence.
Woodard worked his way from the practice squad to a reserve role to the starting lineup over four NFL seasons. Moore got thrown into the starting lineup midway through his rookie year.
“We’re a little different. But we’re not opposites,” Woodard said. “We hang out. Football-wise, we’re different. He’s a little bigger than me, and he does a little more talking.
“Hey, I don’t care what he does as long as he’s playing hard and trying to beat the man in front of him. And I know he doesn’t care if I don’t say a word, as long as I’ve got my man. Whatever works.”
Woodard jumped into the lineup in Week 3 of last season, when Norman Hand suffered a torn biceps, and started 12 of the final 14 games. After spending his first three full seasons as a backup, Woodard immediately showed that he was a legitimate NFL starter. In fact, he was so convincing that the Seahawks rewarded him with a five-year, $15 million contract last March.
“One thing about Cedric is how hard that guy works,” center Robbie Tobeck said. “I remember the year he was on the practice squad (in 2000), and then a couple years of backing up, and the offensive line would give him a hard time because he was (trying so hard) at practice. He wouldn’t back down.
“He had this mentality that he was going to be a starter and do well in this league. He’s worked hard and developed into that.”
Moore is considered a hard worker as well, but he doesn’t exactly go about his business quietly. Always talking on the field, Moore sometimes keeps chattering even when it’s time to take off the pads.
“I can’t say (my mouth has ever) got me in trouble,” Moore said, then changed his tune. “OK, yeah, it got me in trouble. Not in football, though.”
Moore and Woodard needed a few games to get used to each others playing style last season, but now they go together like mashed potatoes and, well, more mashed potatoes.
“We’re real comfortable with each other,” Moore said. “He calls me his right hand, and I call him my left hand.”
In Seattle’s one-gap scheme, both defensive tackles have similar roles. They each are asked to occupy a space between offensive linemen, with the linebackers filling in other gaps along the front. In the former scheme, a two-gap, the defensive linemen were responsible for either side of an opposing lineman.
The new system, brought in by defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes before last season, has been a perfect fit for the young tackles.
“We know what each other’s going to do,” Woodard said. “We know how we’re supposed to fit together, and we take pride in it.”
As evidenced again when the Seahawks held New Orleans star running back Deuce McAllister to 59 rushing yards Sunday, Seattle’s defensive tackles have quietly solidified the run defense.
“We’re no pushovers in there. We try to be sound and make a little noise,” Woodard said. “We’ve got to face 15 more running backs this season. I’m not going to say we’re going to shut anyone down, but every yard everybody gets against us, we’re not going to give it to them. We’re going to try to make them work for it.”
Quick snaps: The Seahawks added depth to their secondary Tuesday by signing veteran defensive back Tod McBride. To make room for McBride, Seattle released defensive end Anton Palepoi. The 6-foot-1 McBride can play cornerback and safety. He was released by the Atlanta Falcons last week after starting nine games for them last season.
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