CHENEY – This time last year, the Seattle Seahawks had an undersized, unproven rookie tapped as the starting middle linebacker (Lofa Tatupu) and two outside linebackers who were coming off injuries (Jamie Sharper and D.D. Lewis). Of all the question marks on the team, the linebacker position may have been the most glaring.
Oh, what a difference a year makes.
Tatupu emerged into a Pro Bowl player in his first NFL season, fellow rookie Leroy Hill made an immediate impact, and versatile Pro Bowler Julian Peterson was added in free agency.
On a defense that once again has a few question marks – among them are injuries on the defensive line, the possibility of a rookie starting cornerback, and a starting free safety who missed most of last season with severe head injuries – the linebacking corps appears to be the most stable of all.
“I think we’re definitely the strength of the defense with the questions everywhere else,” said Hill, who entered the starting lineup in the eighth game of last season. “The D-line has some injuries, but they’ll be all right; we’ll have everyone in the preseason. And with the secondary, all the questions will be answered.
“But we definitely know that we’re the core on defense. We make all the calls and make all the adjustments, so it falls on us.”
On paper, the Seahawks seem to be in good hands.
The rookie duo of Tatupu and Hill played like veterans last season and should get even better, while Peterson represents an upgrade over 2005 starter Lewis.
Peterson is so versatile that the 49ers lined him up at defensive end, linebacker and nickel back last season. He showed the Seahawks just what he could do last year when he stayed with Seattle wide receiver D.J. Hackett step-for-step on a deep pass pattern.
“(The coaches) did a good job of mixing it all up, and that’s good for me,” Peterson said. “It just makes me not a one-dimensional player. It helps me use my talents.”
Having talented outside linebackers around him, Tatupu said, makes the middle linebacker’s job easier.
“Those two are very versatile,” he said. “They have a number of things they do well, whether in coverage or getting pressure on the quarterback. I am there to help out any way I can and support on the run, and I think that is what I do best. We’re all trying to pick from each other’s game and see where we can improve.”
Hill might not have the credentials or versatility of Peterson, but he proved last season that he can be a quality NFL starter. He entered the starting lineup midway through the season and helped the defense go from 26th in the league through 11 games to 16th through 16.
“I think a lot of people are going to look at me to blitz, and then (Peterson) will come from the other side,” Hill said. “And if both of us come, somebody is bound to come free.”
Both Hill and Peterson will see action on the strong and weak sides, based on the offensive personnel. Peterson said he expects to see a lot of strong-side action when the Seahawks face top-flight tight ends like Jeremy Shockey of the New York Giants and Tony Gonzalez of the Kansas City Chiefs.
“We’re going to move him around,” defensive coordinator John Marshall said. “Eventually, we’ll move him around quite a bit. He is a fine athlete, a very versatile athlete, and we have to use him that way.”
Tatupu represents the constant in the mix. His steady play as a rookie last season helped Seattle’s run defense improve from 23rd in the league in 2005 (giving up 126.9 yards per game) to fifth (94.4).
“Finally we got a middle linebacker,” coach Mike Holmgren said. “It has taken awhile, but we have a good one.”
With Tatupu’s steady leadership, Peterson’s versatility, and Hill’s ability to create havoc, the Seahawks have a linebacking corps that has fewer questions than the 2005 unit.
“It’s probably as good a group as I’ve ever had,” Holmgren said. “The two young kids who played last year (Hill and Tatupu) played very well. That was very unusual (for rookies), but they did it. And with the addition of Julian Peterson, … it’s a pretty deep group.
“It’s a pretty talented group, and they’re smart. It’s a nice feeling to have.”
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