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Making the Grade By Getting a 'D'
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Perhaps in a fitting indictment of the Seahawks defensive problems, they had not had the same player start two straight years at middle linebacker since Dean Wells in 1997 and 1998.
But there were other problems. The defense's best player, Anthony Simmons, had become unreliable. Chad Brown, the star linebacker, had broken down. The defensive line seemed unable to tackle anyone. The first-round selection in 2004 -- a defensive tackle, Marcus Tubbs -- missed much of the year and appeared overwhelmed.
Which is what makes this season so remarkable. As rundown and beaten Seattle's defense looked last year, it has been everything but this season.
The team that was ranked 26th in 2004 is 16th this season.
And that has a lot to do with the difference between 9-7 and 13-3. Even the team's offensive leader admits as much.
"Oh, all of it is defense," Gil Haskell, the Seahawks' offensive coordinator said. "Now we don't have to run up and down the field trying to keep up."
Seven times this year, Seattle's defense has allowed 14 or fewer points and it leads the league with 50 sacks.
"Basically it's chemistry and the camaraderie of the team," said linebacker Niko Koutouvides. "We do everything together."
After talking with the coaches, Ruskell set about to build a defense built less on stars and egos and more on tackles and fundamentals. Soon Simmons and Brown were gone. Defensive end Chike Okeafor, a dependable but aloof player, was allowed to leave in free agency, as were linebacker Orlando Huff and cornerback Ken Lucas. Defensive tackles Rashad Moore, Cedric Woodard and cornerback Bobby Taylor were cut.
In their place came a collection of minor names but solid players, like cornerback Andre Dyson, defensive end Bryce Fisher and defensive tackle Chuck Darby.
"We wanted to bring in guys who had a passion for the game," Ruskell said. "High-motor guys and not guys who put themselves ahead of the team. You needed a team concept, which the coaches thought was lacking."
Dyson, who has battled injuries, still brought a stability to the secondary. Fisher gave the team a legitimate pass rusher, with nine sacks, and Darby became a mentor to Tubbs, who suddenly blossomed with his new inside partner.
