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For the first time in seven seasons Lofa Tatupu will not be directing things in Seattle’s season opener against the San Francisco 49ers.
Tatupu asked for his release after refusing the team’s request to take a pay cut, and likely will be watching his former team take on San Francisco because the former USC star has not signed with another team.
Although they would have liked for Tatupu to stay, the Seahawks’ brass felt comfortable with his decision because they had David Hawthorne in the fold – the team’s leading tackler the past two seasons – who’s ideal position is middle linebacker.
The fourth-year player out of Texas Christian is slated to fill that role for Seattle this year, and has put in the work to earn the respect of his teammates.
“They’re both good players, but in their own way,” said linebacker Leroy Hill, who has lined up alongside both players. “Lofa likes doing stuff his way, and Heater (Hawthorne) likes doing stuff his way. So the defense is obviously going to adjust to Heater and how he plays because he’s our new leader on defense.
“We take it in stride. We know the business – pieces go in and pieces go out. And we got Heater. We love Heater and we’re going to play with him.”
For his part, Hawthorne said he’s not doing anything different or trying to fill the leadership void left by Tatupu’s absence.
“Lofa was obviously respected and praised around here. But now he’s not here, so we can’t really focus on that,” Hawthorne said. “… Guys are really confident in me and my ability to lead in there, and guys are really following right now.”
Added defensive captain Marcus Trufant: “He’s a born leader. And when he’s in there calling the shots, when he talks everybody pays attention.”
However, the problem is Hawthorne is not fully healthy and might not get the start today because of a knee issue. Hawthorne did not play in the final two exhibition games and was limited in practice this week, with rookie K.J. Wright getting most of the snaps.
Hawthorne’s availability will not be decided until game time, and it likely will not be his call. If he can’t go, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said he’s confident that Wright, Seattle’s fourth-round draft pick this year out Mississippi State, can competently fill in.
“K.J. is ready to go the whole game if we need him to,” Carroll said. “He’s had a tremendous preparation. He’s been really impressive. We feel really confident about him starting a game. If we start him in this game, he’ll be fine.”
Actually, Carroll would use a combination of players in Hawthorne’s absence, with veteran Matt McCoy likely to come in at middle linebacker on passing downs.
But this isn’t the best matchup to run a green middle linebacker out on the field in his first career start.
The Seahawks are facing San Francisco running back Frank Gore. And he has owned Seattle’s defense at Candlestick Park, averaging 148 yards a game – including a career-best 212 yards five years ago in a 20-14 San Francisco win and 207 yards in a Niners’ 23-10 win in ’09.
Stopping Gore is nothing new to Hawthorne.
“The No. 1 task every week for us is to stop the run,” Hawthorne said. “And obviously we know that Frank is a key part of the offense. He’s like the motor, and everything runs through him, even their passing game runs through him. So stopping him is definitely a task for us.”
Seattle defensive coordinator Gus Bradley also understands that.
“We believe they’re a team that’s going to try and run the ball,” Bradley said. “I mean, they’ve been effective. They had over 200 yards rushing against Oakland (in an exhibition game), so we know that’s what they want to do.”
Eric D. Williams: 253-597-8437 eric.williams@thenewstribune.com blog.thenewstribune.com/seahawks
TODAY
Seattle at San Francisco, 1:15 p.m., Ch. 13, 1240-AM, 1030-AM
Inside: Preview capsule, B2 SEAHAWKS GAMEDAY
SEATTLE AT SAN FRANCISCO
KICKOFF: 1:15 p.m., Candlestick Park
TV: Ch. 13
RADIO: 710-AM, 97.3-FM.
THE SERIES: Seattle holds a 13-11 advantage all time over San Francisco. The Seahawks beat the Niners at home in last year’s season opener, 31-6. But they lost on the road in San Francisco for the second consecutive year, 40-21 on Dec. 12. The Seahawks have won 11 of the past 16 contests, and five of the last eight meetings.
WHAT TO WATCH: With offensive guard Robert Gallery and receiver Sidney Rice doubtful for today’s game, rookie James Carpenter likely will get the start at left guard for Gallery, and Ben Obomanu will get the call for Rice. … Turnovers will be key in these early-season games. The Seahawks had a plus-8 turnover ratio in their seven wins last season, and a minus-17 turnover ratio in the team’s nine regular-season losses. … Receiver Mike Williams and center Max Unger are the only players who started in last year’s regular-season opener who will start today on offense for Seattle. … Defensive tackle Anthony Hargrove officially signed with Seattle on Saturday and is available for today’s game.
THE PICK: Seahawks, 20-19.
PRIME NUMBERS
SEATTLE
No. Name, position Ht.Wt.Year
17 Mike Williams, WR 6-5235fifth With Rice out, he becomes the main target for Tarvaris Jackson.
33 Leon Washington, RB 5-8203sixth His ability to create some big plays on returns will be critical.
76 Russell Okung, OT 6-5310second Needs to put ankle injury behind him and play at a high level.
31 Cam Chancellor, SS 6-3232second The Virginia Tech product will be glued to tight end Vernon Davis.
SAN FRANCISCO
11 Alex Smith, QB 6-4217seventh Posted career-best 130.9 passer rating in win over Hawks last year.
21 Frank Gore, RB 5-9217seventh Niners’ offense goes as he goes.
52 Patrick Willis, LB 6-1240fifth Has led team in tackles in each of his four seasons.
94 Justin Smith, DE 6-428511th Talented pass rusher will pose problems for young Seattle O-line.
Eric D. Williams, staff writer
