The Replay Booth: Lofa Tatupu - He's Still Got It Folks
Lofa Tatupu is a 3-time Pro-Bowler and was All-Pro in 2007 but injuries have nagged at him for the past two seasons and big, game-changing plays have been more few and far between as of late. This is a symptom possibly of more than just age and injury taking it's toll; in the Pete Carroll defense he's relied upon to drop back into deep middle third pass coverage more often and has had to evolve in his play. He's dealt with injuries on the line in front of him and has seen his 'contemporaries' in Julian Peterson and Leroy Hill fade into memory (for different reasons). Some people doubt he can regain the all-world form that made him the Seahawks' unquestioned leader on the defense as a rookie, but I'm sure he'd have a thing or two to say about that.
For what it's worth, he still finds ways to impress the hell out of me. I was reminded of one of those instances as I was re-watching the Divisional Playoff game against the Bears last night. In a third and four situation, Lofa came up with a big sack to end a drive in a game that was still very much in hand for the Hawks as they trailed 7-0. I'll set it up for you, and you can watch it here:
(7:22 1st Quarter) J.Cutler sacked at CHI 30 for -3 yards (L.Tatupu) 3rd and 4.
Bears in a 3 WR, 1 TE, 1 RB set with Matt Forte offset to the right and Jay Cutler up under center. Seahawks are in their Bandit package here with Lofa the lone linebacker in the middle.
Clemons, Cole and Brock are the three down linemen and on the snap rush the QB like madmen. The Bears release their 3 WRs and TE Greg Olsen runs a 7 yard or so drag. The seven defensive backs tasked with defending the pass do their part and Cutler has no where to go with the ball. Brock does a nifty spin move that puts him in a position to threaten a sack.
At this point, you can see Tatupu eyeing Cutler as he passes Olson off but you can tell he's poised to pounce if ole' Jay decides to leave the relative comfort (or lack thereof in Chicago's case) of the pocket. Cutler takes one step to his right a moment after this screen shot, if that, and Tatupu doesn't hesitate.
You hear a lot about instincts and guile at the middle linebacker position and this play sums it up for me. The moment Cutler THINKS about starting to decide to make a run for it, Tatupu is in a full on sprint to head him off. This is a case where if Tats had even hesitated a second the play could have gone for a first down. Instead, he's on him like a greyhound coursing a hare.
You can see Tatupu already in full stride as Cutler starts to go to the right and the Bears' QB has no shot. Tats takes a good angle and is on him shortly.
We should also applaud Clemons coming from the opposite side and in place to make the tackle had Lofa missed his. Overall, this play was made on quick, instinctual reaction by Tatupu and good pass defense by the secondary. It gives me hope for the Bandit package and it renews my hope that Tats will be back to the form we're used to seeing him play at in 2011.
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Lofa could hardly run by the end of the season
Sitting in the stands for the Saints game, it was clear Lofa was injured. He was walking with an obvious limp on the way back to the huddle. He is a football genius, but his body has broken down every year since 2007. If he can stay healthy, I think he can still be an elite player. His health is a big question mark in my mind.
by tom.page on Jun 3, 2011 10:17 AM PDT reply actions 1 recs
Next words out of Brad Pitt's (aka Mickey) mouth...
“Periwinkle blue.”
We should also credit the LE (who the hell is that?) for busting into the pocket and forcing the scramble.
Cutler was like OH FUCK MY SHIT and booked it for the sideline.
As long as we sign/re-sign TWO starting-quality Defensive Tackles.
For one thing, Lofa would get DESTROYED behind a line where Cole and Balmer are our best remaining DTs. Guards and Centers and even Fullbacks and Tailbacks would crunch Tatupu on a quarterly basis if he don’t upgrade our front 4.
Would love to see Tatupu bounce back to his pro-bowl form. Speaking of bouncing back...
….what do we think of Balmer? Was in a feature of former busts attempting to make a come back. He had 43 tackles last year in 16 games (according to the article). Does he feature into the Seahawks defense of the future?
Balmer will probably get some playing time.
He played at both the defensive end (5 tech) and defensive tackle spots at times last season and his versatility will earn him snaps. He’ll have to improve his run defense a lot to be a starter though I’d think. He’s not terrible for the cost of a 6th round pick – but he’s not living up to his 1st rd billing just yet.
Proactive-like-Nonstop
Definitely not living up to that billing
But he provides really good depth when folks have to take a rest or something like that. The playtime he got this year when folks went down with injuries was so valuable.
Earl Thomas + Mark Legree = Earl Gree. A new flavor of safety coming to you on Sunday's this Fall. They're gonna wake you up!
Cool - thanks for sharing. I really had no idea how he fit in last year, but given they hype when he was drafted...
…was hoping he had something to offer. Especially given the needs along the d-line.
Exactly; Balmer is decent DT/5-Tech depth, and that is pretty valuable.
But I’m not expecting Balmer to “make the leap” and become QB-rushing 3-tech this team desperately needs. He’s already proven more valuable than most D-lineman you could find in the 6th (or even 5th) round.
Was wondering about opinions on the supplemental draft
Especially if the DE from OSU declares for it now that the sweater vest is out. Would you spend a 4th or so next year to get that kid this year for D-line help this year?
FWIW
Dan Kadar wouldn’t, not even close.
by The Ancient Mariner on Jun 3, 2011 1:49 PM PDT up reply actions
That was a great play by Lofa....but Cutler should have thrown the ball away.
If you look at the 4th picture down, Cutler was just about out of the pocket, with Tatupu approximately 5 yards away; he had plenty of time to lob a throw over the head of the WR that’s next to the sideline at the upper-left corner of the screen (but to Lofa’s credit, he did make up those 5 yards awfully fast).
Looks like Mebanes push up the middle against a double team might also have made Cutler have happy feet.
I know you said Cole was in the middle but in the 5th frame when he clears the double team and starts to pursue to the sideline it is clearly a 92 on his back. I was wondering how Cole got 5 yards up field against a double team.

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