Seahawks: 15 best defensive backs in franchise history
By Lee Vowell
Number 9: Seahawks cornerback Marcus Trufant, 2003-2012
If the Seahawks didn’t know about Marcus Trufant before they chose him in the draft, that would have completely been their fault. Trufant was from Tacoma, Washington and played at Washington State. But in 2003, Seattle chose him in the first round and 11th overall.
It is a bit of a crime Trufant made only one Pro Bowl in his career. He played on some excellent teams, including Seattle’s first Super Bowl team of 2005, and helped bridge the eras between Mike Holmgren and Pete Carroll. Injuries marred his career a bit near the end, but in Trufant’s first six seasons, he only missed three games.
In Trufant’s second season, he had 5 picks but had 141 return yards. Once he intercepted a pass, he knew what to do with it. But in his first two seasons, he had 20 passes defended in each year. Then opposing quarterbacks stopped throwing the ball his way as much. In 2007, Trufant’s Pro Bowl season, he had 7 interceptions and returned one 84 yards for a touchdown.
Trufant played all 10 of his seasons for Seattle. He finished with 21 interceptions, 7th all-time for Seattle. He also finished with 112 passes defended which is 13 more than any other Seattle player has ever had.