Good afternoon, 12s.
Here's a look at what's "out there" for today - Thursday, Dec. 31 - about your Seattle Seahawks:
How Has This Season Gone For Lofa Tatupu?
Seahawks assistant linebackers coach Lofa Tatupu joined 710 ESPN Seattle's 'Danny, Dave and Moore' show earlier this week and shed some light on how his first year in the NFL coaching ranks has gone.
"It's been amazing," Tatupu said. "It's been a whirlwind at the same time, I can't believe we're in our last game already of the regular season. I remember just being brought on and meeting all these guys at the Combine, it feels like it was just a couple months ago. But it's been awesome. The ebbs and flows of the year, going through that couple tough games early on but then finding ourselves and rallying from then on. So it's been a great experience."
Tatupu, a three-time Pro Bowler with the Seahawks who played under Pete Carroll at USC and again in 2010 in Seattle, was offered a job on Seattle's staff this past February, shortly after former linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr. accepted the defensive coordinator job with the Oakland Raiders. Tatupu shared thoughts on how Carroll's coaching approach has evolved over the years.
"I think he's changed some," Tatupu said of Carroll. "His philosophy is never gonna waver, never gonna change. That's who he is and that's what guys respect about him and love playing for him. He's energetic, full of life and going out and seizing the moment is what he's all about and what he's transferred into this team from the day he got here. From that aspect, no he's not changed. But yes, as far as some little things where the game's changed and you don't have to go through all those padded practices, he's been kind of cutting-edge or at the next level taking some of that wear and tear off guys and having specialists come in here, and not just with nutrition but also with [head strength and conditioning coach] Chris Carlisle and all of them in the weight room — just every way you can find an advantage as far as helping these players out, he's done."
When it comes to what Tatupu brings to the table, he said he primarily defers to the teachings of linebackers coach Michael Barrow, who spent 13 years in the League as a linebacker. But he does like to help Seahawks players pick up on the "little things."
"Situational more so than anything, situational awareness and letting them know what an offense is trying to accomplish on different downs, distances, time in the game, what the offensive coordinator's tendencies are," he said. "Those things, those are where you can kind of find your edge in each weekly matchup."
And even though he's one of the more decorated linebackers in club history, Tatupu said he would have had a hard time cracking this team's starting lineup of Bruce Irvin, Bobby Wagner, and K.J. Wright.
"Every week you turn on their film, Bruce and Bobby, their athleticism shows up, K.J.'s understanding of the game and the way he attacks," he said. "It's just been fun to really finally get to know these guys and what makes them tick and what they need week-in and week-out as far as information. They're a really, really talented group, and like I said, I don't know if I could have fit in with this group back in years past."
Tweet Of The Day
Today's "Tweet of the Day" comes from @TheSeaGals, who reveal which cheerleader will be representing the squad at the 2016 Pro Bowl. You can read about Hope's start to her rookie season right here.
More From Around The Web
Here at Seahawks.com, digital media reporter John Boyle explains why the team is leaving a day earlier than usual for their road trip to Arizona and previews Sunday's matchup between the Seahawks defense and Cardinals potent passing attack.
Marshawn Lynch (abdomen) has been ruled out for Sunday's game against Arizona, but Pete Carroll said the running back should return for the postseason.
Four Seahawks players did not participate in Wednesday's practice.
Defensive lineman Red Bryant will line up against his former team this Sunday as a member of the Cardinals.
Defensive end Cliff Avril and wide receiver Doug Baldwin joined 710 ESPN Seattle's 'The Huddle' on Wednesday.
Scott Engel at RotoExperts.com reviews the 2015 season from a fantasy football perspective and looks at which Seahawks hold value heading into next year.
Sheil Kapadia and Josh Weinfuss at ESPN.com compare and contrast the play of Seahawks wideout Doug Baldwin and Cardinals wideout Michael Floyd.
Larry Stone at the Seattle Times looks back at the year that was in Seattle sports.
Four Seahawks are featured in the Seattle Times' look at 15 fresh faces in Seattle sports from this past year.
Bob Condotta at the Seattle Times shares what offensive line coach Tom Cable had to say about how his position group played this past Sunday and catches up with center Patrick Lewis, who had two faulty snaps against the Rams.
Don Ruiz at the Tacoma News Tribune notes that three of the Seahawks' five wide receivers are undrafted players out of the University of Washington.
Brady Henderson at 710Sports.com writes about how this year's Seahawks defense compares to that of the past two seasons.
Adam Lewis at SeattlePI.com ranks a few Seahawks storylines among his Top 15 Seattle sports stories of 2015.
To commemorate the team's 40th anniversary, SportsPressNW.com reviews the Top 40 moments in Seahawks history.
And ESPN.com outlines New Year's resolutions for every NFL team.
D*id I miss anything you think is worthy of inclusion? Let me know on Twitter *
