Last summer, 
Starter
That baptismal by blowtorch served him – and the team – well because when Spencer was forced to go on injured reserve with a herniated disc in his back, Vallos started the final five regular-season games.
Tuesday, Vallos slid back into the spot that was so foreign just 12 months ago.
“Five games at the end of last year really helped,” the former seventh-round draft choice said after practice. “That’s going to help a ton. Just working at the center position really helped me, going against starting defenses.”
Vallos is again anchoring the line because Spencer is out indefinitely after tearing a muscle in his left thigh during Saturday night’s preseason home opener against the Denver Broncos.
He will be the starter when the Seahawks play the Chiefs in Kansas City this Saturday night because the coaches decided it was their best option.
“We felt that was the best way to go because of Steve’s experience,” offensive coordinator Greg Knapp said.
That leaves rookie
The Chiefs will be the Seahawks’ third opponent in as many games that plays a 3-4 defensive front. So Vallos has worked against the alignment where he has a large defensive tackle lined up directly over him.
“It’s interesting,” Vallos said, “because that doesn’t really happen too much. It’s a little different scheme-wise, but we’ve gotten it done the past two weeks. So hopefully we can improve.”
Vallos faced a trio of pretty good nose tackles last season – the Cowboys’ Jay Ratliff, the Patriots’ Vince Wilfork and the Jets’ Kris Jenkins. They combined for 13 sacks in 2008, but none came against Vallos.
This summer, Vallos steps into a situation where the Seahawks are trying to get their running game going while adapting to a zone-blocking scheme that has been implemented by Knapp and offensive line coach Mike Solari.
After two preseason outings, they are averaging 2.9 yards on 56 carries and 82 yards per game. The team’s longest run – and only double-digit run – was turned in last week when backup QB Seneca Wallace bolted for 18 yards on a scramble.
“We take that to heart,” Vallos said. “It’s us. We don’t put that on the backs or anyone else. It’s the O-line. We’ve just got to get better and just work on our technique.
“That’s us, and we’ve got to improve.”
Just as Vallos worked overtime to improve his game during the offseason. He spent countless hours in the weight room to increase his already imposing strength. He worked diligently with Solari in the classroom to gain a better grasp of the offense, and the new blocking scheme.
Despite spending his first year on the practice squad and getting little time last season before stepping into the starting lineup, the Seahawks knew Vallos was tough and durable. He left Wake Forest as the all-time leader in starts (48). At Boardman (Ohio) High School, he set school records for pins in a career (58) and season (24) as a wrestler.
Asked what he improved most this offseason, Vallos offered, “Just knowledge. As soon as coach Knapp came in here and put in the new offense, coach Solari has been beating the drum on us.
“Every linemen knows everything. This whole offseason, the entire team has been dedicated. Everyone was here for almost every offseason workout, which is really impressive.”
Vallos knows the guard responsibilities, as well as center, because he’s played both spots in the preseason – with the first and second units.
“It translates,” he said of the double duty, “and helps you know more.”
Because you never know when it might be your time to step in as the center of attention. Again.
