How soon until Kam Chancellor belongs on this list? Credit: Jeff Curry-US PRESSWIRE

We saw the clean hit Kam Chancellor put on Vernon Davis in week 17.  We saw the flags fly giving the 49ers first and goal instead of the 4th and long they were facing.  Then we saw on the replay that Chancellor’s hit on Davis was a textbook hit on a receiver that was intended to separate the ball from the receiver.  So what gives?  Defensive backs are complaining that it’s physically impossible to play their positions with the NFL’s well meaning but ill conceived new rules on how defensive backs are allowed to tackle receivers.  The rules are not only impossible for players to obey given the unpredictable movement of the receiver, they are also impossible for a referee to correctly call.  The new rules are causing players to get unwarranted fines, teams to get unwarranted penalties, and have changed the outcomes of a few games.

Another drawback of the new rule is defensive backs are afraid to tackle anyone high for fear of inadvertent helmet contact.  The predictable result is they are now tackling around the knees of receivers and, as the 49ers Mario Manningham unfortunately found out, that can result in a blown out knee and a year out of the league while rehabbing the repaired but never to be the same joint.  Aren’t we just trading concussions for destroyed knees?

So, what’s the answer?  Players can go broke hitting high, and receivers can have their careers cut short by low tackles around the knees.  Lacking a change in the laws of physics or a really high tech concussion-proof helmet, there’s one easy thing that can be done.  How about using the red flag replay for those calls?  When both the players and the refs can’t get a fair shake with a rule, it’s time to either change the rules again or use playbacks to fairly enforce the rules.  It doesn’t make it any easier for the defensive back to avoid an inadvertent rule violation, but maybe when the receiver suddenly ducks his head replay will show it’s not the D-back’s fault; and at the very least replay can show when an unfairly flagged hit is a good legal hit.  Sure it could open up a bag of worms as replay officials try to interpret a defender’s intent or a receiver’s reflexive “duck and cover” move, but it’s worth a try.

If something isn’t done about this issue football will continue to lose credibility as a contact sport.  Now….what the hell is this garbage about eliminating the kickoff!  DON’T GET ME STARTED!!!

News regarding the Seahawks changes almost daily, but none of the aforementioned players should miss any significant time.

Aaron Curry, who suffered a hamstring injury, has practiced this week and is expected to play on Sunday.

Brandon Mebane has been limited with a calf injury, but it doesn’t appear to be anything too serious. He may be limited on Sunday, but the injury shouldn’t prevent him from playing. If Mebane is unable to play, expect to see Craig Terrill active and on the field Sunday.

Marcus Trufant hurt his ankle against the Chargers and is the most questionable of the group. He said he felt okay following last Sunday’s game, but has been limited in practice all week. His absence obviously affected Seattle’s defense last week. According to several reports, Trufant will be a game-time decision on Sunday.

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Even if Mathews did play, I’d have to believe he would have a hard time finding room to run through Seattle’s massive defense. The front four on the defensive line – Red Bryant, Brandon Mebane, Colin Cole, and Chris Clemons – combine to weigh over half a ton and are predictably stout against the run.

With Mathews shelved for Sunday’s game, the San Diego Chargers will give the football to Mike Tolbert, a 5-foot-9, 243-pound wrecking ball. This season, Tolbert has carried the ball 18 times for 108 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

Tolbert might not be as talented or publicized as Mathews, but he provides a different version of smash-mouth football that could challenge Seattle’s massive front.

“They have to go at my legs cause I’m trying to decapitate anybody that’s out there,” Tolbert told the San Diego Union-Tribune earlier this week. “I’m not trying to run around anybody cause I get tired like that.”

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Leroy Hill strained his calf and was wearing a boot following the game. According to reports, Hill is going to need some time to completely recover.

Hill, however, was barely noticeable prior to his injury. Combined with his suspension and previous injuries, he was an unreliable asset entering this season anyway. David Hawthorne is expected to remain a starter for now and his position with the first team has been earned.

Continuity on the offensive line remains a concern, especially following Max Unger’s season-ending injury. Stacy Andrews was less-than-impressive as a replacement, but mostly because of ill-timed mistakes and needless penalties.

Ben Hamilton returned to the starting lineup after the team briefly experimented with Mike Gibson at left guard. Hamilton was the projected starter throughout the offseason, but Gibson outplayed him in training camp and was given the starting nod in week one.

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Polumbus started eight games at right tackle for the Denver Broncos last season and was a hot commodity on the waiver wire last week. The Broncos waived him following Ryan Clady’s return from injury.

The Seahawks, Lions, and Texans all put in waiver claims for Polumbus last week. The Detroit Lions, who had the worst record of the bunch in 2009, were awarded the rights.

Polumbus does have starting experience, but he was noticeably worse than Ryan Harris, who started the first eight games of 2009 for Denver. Polumbus stepped in for Harris following an injury that kept him out for the second half of the season.

The Broncos obviously considered Polumbus expendable, so I wouldn’t get too excited about the acquisition. He does, however, offer Seattle something they don’t currently have: depth on the offensive line.

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 The words, “Super Bowl MVP” just floated out of fans’ mouths, Tim Ruskell couldn’t wait to get his hands on, what seemed to be, a key component of the unstoppable New England Patriots’ offense, and Branch was equally excited to get paid after posting career numbers in receptions (78) yards (998) and touchdowns (5) in 2005. Fans collectively held their breathe and watched… knowing what was about to come… waiting for him to explode… any minute now…

Four seasons later, fans are no longer waiting. The only thing they have demanded as of late concerning Deion Branch is that he be traded or released. The Seahawks and their fans made a time honored mistake by giving too much credit where it had never been earned. They organization took a gamble on what looked to be the MAKINGS of an elite wide receiver only to wake up to the reality of the last four seasons.

Deion Branch has  never been an elite wide receiver in the NFL.  Not with New England and certainly not with Seattle.

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Hamilton, who signed with Seattle this offseason after spending nine seasons in Denver, was touted by coaches for his knowledge of the zone-blocking scheme. Especially with a rookie at left tackle, part of Hamilton’s duties would be to act as a mentor for the players around him. If he could still play, it seemed like a perfect fit.

Hamilton’s ability to play, however, may be in question.

After Josh McDaniels took over in Denver, the Broncos switched from their traditional zone-blocking scheme to more of a power-blocking scheme. Hamilton, as a smaller, more agile player, is much better suited in a zone-blocking scheme.

In fact, Hamilton was actually bumped from Denver’s starting lineup last season.

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Russell Okung, Seattle’s huge investment and first-round pick, was carted off the field and into the locker room last Saturday against the Green Bay Packers.

Some people assumed it was serious – possibly even a season-threatening fracture. Awaiting news, most of Seattle’s fans cringed thinking about Mansfield Wrotto as the team’s new starting left tackle.

Following negative x-ray results and a subsequent MRI, the team announced they expected Okung to miss 2-4 weeks. He would definitely miss the rest of the exhibition season, but could be ready to go for the season opener.

Injuries are never good, but it appeared as if Seattle had dodged a bullet. Nothing serious, and Okung would apparently be ready to go when the games started to matter.

Today, however, the news became slightly worse.

Head coach Pete Carroll revealed that Russell Okung does, in fact, have a high ankle sprain – the same injury that plagued tackle Sean Locklear for more than two months last season.

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The following season, when the strong-side linebacker position was his to lose, Hill excelled. Playing alongside Lofa Tatupu, he recorded 92 tackles and a pair of sacks. The Seahawks trio of linebackers – Hill, Tatupu, and Julian Peterson – was one of the better units in the National Football League.

Lofa Tatupu once called Leroy Hill the most talented linebacker in Seattle.

“I’d say Leroy is our best linebacker,” Tatupu told reporters in 2008. “It’s tough to say that. I’ve got a lot of pride. Julian’s got a lot of pride. He probably wouldn’t admit it, but he’d be wrong in saying that Leroy isn’t our best linebacker.”

Julian Peterson, however, wasn’t shy about praising Hill.

“Leroy is definitely one of the best,” Peterson admitted. “He’s got the right combination – he hits with tenacious power, he runs to the ball, he can blitz, he can cover.”

That was about two years ago. Now, it is uncertain that Hill will even be starting for the Seahawks in 2010.

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According to Farnsworth, Leon Washington is working harder than anyone behind the scenes, attempting to return following a horrific leg injury last fall.

It’s after practice that Washington gets down to work, rehabbing the broken right leg that ended his 2009 season and put his promising career not only on hold but in jeopardy.

“There’s a lot going on, it’s just unseen,” Washington said.

Like running up the berm that is adjacent to the outdoor practice fields. Like pushing his 5-foot-8, 203-pound body through a battery of tests and exercises in the indoor practice facility. But instead of everyone seeing his butt-busting efforts, only the eyes of a single trainer are trained on his every move.

“I’m working behind the scenes,” he said with a smile.

According to the rumor mill at ESPN.com, Leon Washington could have a positive impact on Seattle’s running game this year. Of course, that is, assuming he can return to the football field.

The folks over at ESPN.com believe that “given the promise he showed earlier in his career, he could wind up being one of the best bargain pickups this offseason.”

The Seahawks traded fifth- and seventh-round picks (139th and 236th overall) to New York in exchange for Washington during last April’s NFL draft.

Shaun Dolence: dolencesm@gmail.com
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Leon Washington has continued to work hard in rehab and is now running and changing directions. Expects to be ready by the start of camp!

Considering how severe Washington’s injury was – his fractured fibula reportedly broke through the skin – it will be remarkable to see him back on the field in August. A fractured fibula requires complete immobilization followed by intense rehabilitation to recover strength.

Hopefully, Washington can return to his previous form and become a playmaker for Seattle’s offense. In four years with New York, he averaged 4.8 yards per carry and scored 19 touchdowns.

Washington was never the full-time starter in New York, but he was regularly given opportunities. In his last full season, he averaged 5.9 yards per carry and reached the end zone 9 times. His elusive style of running excited spectators and should have earned him additional carries and a larger paycheck.

Unfortunately, Washington was limited to only seven games last season and his contributions were minimal. Prior to his injury, Washington was primed for a new contract and extended role in New York.

Following his trade, he’ll now have an opportunity to shine in Seattle.

Assuming, of course, Alvin Keels is trustworthy.

Shaun Dolence: dolencesm@gmail.com
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But if you can’t beat them, join them.

After watching Walter Thurmond play very well at the University of Oregon for four seasons, it will be a relief to finally have him on our side. If he can stay healthy, the Seahawks probably found themselves a nice, capable cornerback in the fourth round of the NFL draft.

Thurmond is nearly 5-foot-11 and 189 pounds, so he breaks the mold of “small” cornerbacks – despite a thin frame, his physical attributes aren’t bad – that dominated Tim Ruskell’s tenure. He has long arms, great ball skills for a defender, and natural cover skills. Physically, his loose hips and fluidity is exactly what you like to see in a cornerbacker.

When healthy, Thurmond is a great player. Unfortunately, durability is a concern.

He was limited to only four games last season after suffering a knee injury and there is no guarantee he’ll return to top physical form. But even with the injury concerns, Thurmond is a risk worth taking. If he can stay healthy, he is a first- or second-round pick selected near the top of the fourth round. Quite a bargain if he can return from a knee injury and stay on the field.

Thurmond should be a solid special teams contributor his first season and could develop into a solid number-two cornerback in Seattle’s defense if he stays healthy. His natural ability and man-cover skills are definitely worth the risk in the fourth round.

Shaun Dolence: dolencesm@gmail.com
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“Despite the desire to continue my career, I am retiring from professional football. The toll that has been taken on my body will no longer allow me to train, and hence, perform at a level that is acceptable to me.”

Kerney, who is only 33 years old, has endured several injuries the last five years. Despite problems staying healthy, he has been one of the most consistent pass-rushing threats for Seattle since his arrival in 2007. Kerney had 14.5 sacks and was selected to the Pro Bowl his first season and led all Seattle defenders with 5.0 sacks last year.

In Kerney’s final season in Atlanta, his 105-game starting streak came to an end after suffering a torn pectoral muscle. After joining the Seahawks, he has struggled through several shoulder injuries and other minor problems. He started 16 games in 2007 with Seattle, but injuries limited Kerney and only allowed him to play in 22 games the past two seasons combined.

His presence on defense will definitely be missed and the Seahawks must find a way to replace him. Finding a pass-rushing defensive end was already present on a long list of needs, but now it becomes an even more important priority.

Shaun Dolence: dolencesm@gmail.com
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In 2008, middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu signed a $42 million extension that runs through 2015. Tatupu, a three-time Pro Bowl selection, was drafted in the second round of the 2005 NFL Draft.

In the 2009 NFL Draft, the team spent its first-round selection on linebacker Aaron Curry. Curry, the fourth overall pick, was rewarded with a six-year, $60 million with $34 million guaranteed. Several scouts considered him the best prospect available in the draft; despite a rough rookie season, the sky is the limit for the talented Wake Forest product.

Last offseason, linebacker Leroy Hill was designated with the franchise tag. Shortly after the Seahawks rescinded the designation, Hill agreed to a six-year, $36 million deal. Hill’s big contract was agreed upon despite some off-field troubles shortly before the offseason began.

Tatupu, Curry, and Hill were supposed to be the foundation of an elite NFL defense.

Unfortunately for the Seahawks, the trio were only on the field together for eight plays during the 2009 regular season. Given their combined base salaries, that is $1.04 million per play from  what should have been a very talented group of linebackers.

Health has been an issue. A hamstring injury in the 2009 season-opener limited Lofa Tatupu’s effectiveness before a torn pectoral muscle put him on the injured reserve. Aaron Curry started fast but struggled through the second half of the season, missing two of the final games because of a stinger injury. Leroy Hill missed five games and set career-low numbers after suffering a torn groin muscle in the first week.

Despite struggles in 2009, this unit still looks promising for next season. Or does it?

Earlier this week, linebacker Leroy Hill pleaded guilty to marijuana possession and was sentenced to 12 months probation. If Hill complies with the terms of his probation, the original charge will be expunged from his record.

The National Football League has not punished Hill for his poor judgment, yet. Hill is a first-time offender, but his actions will probably warrant at least a one-game suspension. Shaun Ellis was suspended for one game and fined $100,000 last season following a 2008 arrest for marijuana possession.

We’ll have to wait and see, but all indications are that Hill will face punishment from the league, probably similar to Ellis’. For the Seahawks, this means one more week without Tatupu, Curry, and Hill on the field together.

Shaun Dolence: dolencesm@gmail.com
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