Don't be too surprised, today's Tape reveals not doom and gloom but achievement and hope.

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I should be in bed, but I've got the cold chills from workahol withdrawal so onward. So that everyone can get a good look at Seattle's new run stopping force at the one, I fetched some tape from week 5 of the NFL season. Green Bay faced Atlanta at home. I picked this contest for a few reasons. Colin Cole had four tackles, all solo, a season high. He matched quite a bit against a lineman I know very well, Justin Blalock. At this point in his career, Blalock is a shade above average though very powerful. And the Packers faced 36 rushing plays, giving me ample opportunity to see Cole in his element.

Enjoy the carnage.

Cole first subs in on the sixth play of the Falcons first drive. He is doubled by Blalock and center Todd McClure,

blown back two yards,

before working his way back into the play and holding the line as Turner converts the first after a gain of three.

Cole stays in for the next snap. He is initially turned out and away from the hole by a single block by McClure, but sheds McClure completely and fights his way back, tackling Turner after a gain of four.

Next snap, Jerious Norwood substitutes for Turner. Cole and right defensive end Mike Montgomery attempt something that looks vaguely like a stunt, allow a good sized cutback lane right and scrum ineffectually as Norwood runs for 5 on 2nd and 6. Green Bay is now on the one.

Encroachment nullifies a botched snap by Matt Ryan.

Goal line. Cole gets low and the Packers line holds the point against a Turner dive.

Goal line. Cole penetrates left, but the Falcons are running a bootleg right. Ryan rolls out and finds Justin Peelle for the score.

Cole starts the next drive at left defensive tackle. Harvey Dahl and Tyson Clabo double Cole off the snap resulting in a gaping hole right.

Aaron Kampman, unblocked, overpursues attempting to seal the outside and Turner simply runs forward and away from him. Cole is so completely overmatched by Dahl alone that Clabo peels off and screens AJ Hawk from the play.

Charles Woodson finally tackles Turner after a gain of 22.

Looks like family matters are going to force me to stop there, but, I gotta ask, we lovin' this guy yet?

It's been awhile so I'll refresh your memory: Seattle was awful in 2006. Playing one of the top five easiest schedules in the league, Seattle was outscored by its opponents. Only luck and the golden foot of Josh Brown pushed Seattle into the playoffs, and only luck and the bumbling of Tony Romo kept them from a first round exit. The offense was injured all over and never properly replaced left guard Steve Hutchins, but the defense was healthy. Outside safety, only Chartric Darby started fewer than fifteen games, starting fourteen, and didn't miss time due to injury, but lack of injury. The two games Darby started on the sideline were the two games Marcus Tubbs started. Tubbs was fresh off a season he looked every bit the defensive tackle we now see in Albert Haynesworth, and the surrounding front seven - small, fast, smart and full of hustle - thrived around its giant keystone talent.

Tubbs will never start again in the NFL. Seattle unearthed a gem in the 2007 draft, drafting defensive tackle Brandon Mebane in the third round. Like too many deserving talents, Mebane sat behind a nearly useless veteran, Darby, and started only after a fortuitous injury. Mebane became that rare talent that consistently forced double teams, and could get after the quarterback. Seattle's defense took off after his arrival.

With Rocky Bernard likely lost to free agency, Seattle faces starting Craig Terrill at left defensive tackle. Terrill is cheap, nearing 29, and a good situational one-gap tackle that is too slight and too weak to be useful on most downs. Inevitably, teams will simply run at Terrill, and as lead blockers breach the second level, Seattle's exceptional group of linebackers, each capable of exploding into a ball carrier from almost any point on the field to almost any point on the field, will be blocked into the turf and made spectators to their own humiliation. Deon Grant and Brian Russell won't stop the mayhem and like those 2006 Seahawks, rushing yards will come in bunches. For all its talent, the defense will fold against power rushing.

Seattle needs someone who can start at left defensive tackle. It drafted Red Bryant in 2008, but Bryant looked awful at times at Texas A&M and in the preseason, and missed all but four games because of injury. High ankle sprains can be reoccurring and his knee injury wasn't his first. It's far too early to give up on the very talented Bryant, especially entering a season the Seahawks should not expect to compete, but it's unwise to count on him either. Regardless of Bryant's health, Seattle needs another defensive tackle in its rotation and an upgrade on the large, slow, but anything but stout Howard Green.

Seattle could add talent through the draft. B.J. Raji is a huge reach at four and does not fit Seattle's preferred player profile. Peria Jerry will be 25 before his first season in the NFL, meaning he was very old for his level. Jerry also slots somewhere between Seattle's early first and early second round picks. Sen'Derrick Marks disappointed in 2008, but is more than three full years younger than Jerry. Marks must overcome questions about his work ethic, but is the most complete run/pass defensive tackle in the draft. He's an exciting athlete and potentially the best value in the draft, but not likely a day one contributor and not "starting capable". Ziggy Hood splits the difference between Jerry and Marks, as young as Marks, but as accomplished as Jerry. Hood is a straight line guy. He bursts off the snap, shows impressive hand fight techniques, but is easily eluded by lateral moves. That may not be a problem on a Seahawks team replete with quick, agile defenders in its front seven. Should Hood reach his potential, he'd present a matchup nightmare alongside Mebane. Two tackles requiring double teams, each capable of aborting run plays or sacking the quarterback if single blocked.

The alternative is signing a free agent retread. Shaun Cody should be very cheap, but his struggles are real and one wonders if he's really more valuable than a no-name toiling on another team's practice squad. Albert Haynesworth is mega-expensive and explosively violent. It's possible Seattle simply can't afford him and probable Ruskell wants nothing to do with him. Jovan Haye is a very good one-gap tackle that could function as a situational end, but isn't stout against run and presents many of the same problems as Terrill. Chris Canty is mega-expensive (or thinks he should be) and better suited for a 3-4. Haye or Cody makes the most sense. Either could start and neither buries Bryant if he breaks out. Hood and Marks are the most exciting.

There's a reason Matthew Stafford is all over Field Gulls of recent, and it's not that I want Seattle to draft him. I'm undecided. It's a lot simpler than that. Let's consult ESPN's top twenty draft talents.

1. Michael Crabtree

Will Seattle draft him?

Maybe. Seattle has bit-by-bit acquired an ess-ton of wide receivers, and spent a comparable number of resources to get there. Seattle has spent a first round pick, a third round pick, a fifth round pick (Keary Colbert), two sixth round picks and a seventh round pick to acquire twelve million dollars of wide receiver rawk-awesomeness. It speaks of achieving value through volume, and spending a fourth overall pick would violate that philosophy. Crabtree's is remarkable though.

2. Aaron Curry (Brian Cushing)

Will Seattle draft him?

Very unlikely. Very. If Curry turns out as a good as Leroy Hill, most would consider him a satisfactory pick, but Seattle already has Leroy Hill, and Leroy Hill four years further into his development. Seattle would be paying more and expending a draft pick to take on more risk.

3. B.J. Raji

Will Seattle draft him?

No. One year wonder with effort and character concerns that's really not a top ten talent.

4. Eugene Monroe (Andre Smith, Jason Smith)

Will Seattle draft him?

It's possible Seattle drafts a tackle, but I don't see it. Ruskell has stated he wants to build his offensive line through coaching and continuity. Depending on Walter Jones' health and Seattle re-signing Ray Willis, Seattle could be without a need at this position. This answer applies for Andre Smith and Jason Smith.

5. Matthew Stafford

Will Seattle draft him?

Probably yes. Seattle has a relevant need at the position. Stafford is a ringer for a Ruskell pick and a great fit for Greg Knapp's system. It depends on what Seattle's scouts think about Stafford, but he's certainly a strong contender.

6. Malcolm Jenkins (Vontae Davis)

Will Seattle draft him?

Maybe. Jenkins is definitely a Ruskell guy, but the team has a top cornerback, Marcus Trufant, and two players who have shown flashes, Josh Wilson and Kelly Jennings. Seattle would be heavily invested in one position, and wouldn't see half that talent for half their snaps.

7. Mark Sanchez

Will Seattle draft him?

No. Sanchez is a one year starter with major character red flags.

8. Aaron Maybin (Everette Brown)

Will Seattle draft him?

Depends on if Maybin or Brown maintain the weight to play end. See below.

9. Brian Orakpo (Tyson Jackson)

Will Seattle draft him?

Probably not. Orakpo is the purest end of the group, but to say Seattle doesn't have a need is an understatement. Knowing now that Seattle essentially can't cut Patrick Kerney, Seattle would be stacking the popes into the hole and hoping no one gets their feet burned. I mean, er, creating subtraction by addition. Who loses out? Darryl Tapp and Lawrence Jackson deserve snaps, and between those two and Baraka Atkins, Seattle has a better shot of developing a good to great defensive end internally than acquiring one through the draft.

Tyson Jackson only makes sense at defensive tackle, and still not much sense.

x. Brandon Pettigrew

John Carlson

x. Rey Maualuga

Lofa Tatupu

10. Knowshon Moreno (Chris Wells)

Will Seattle draft him?

Possibly but not likely. Seattle is attempting to create a system that deemphasizes the need for top talent at running back, and taking Moreno (or Wells) at four would seem a major overdraft. Don't count it out though. One thing I haven't talked much about but believe is that Julius Jones may have soured himself with more than Mike Holmgren. I can't imagine temper tantrums go over well with Tim Ruskell.

Stafford isn't the only pick, but he's not far off. In fact, after a little inspection, it's startling how many players are eliminated from consideration. Seattle's a young team without a young quarterback, and in this draft, there's one young quarterback that screams Seattle.

Name: Adrian Jones

Birthdate: June 10, 1981.

Height/Weight: 6'4", 296

Position: Guard/Tackle

College: Kansas, two seasons as a reserve tight end, played tackle his senior season

Pros: Drafted by Jets, cut, signed by Kansas City in 2007, started 10 games in 2008

Pre-draft measurables:

Height: 6042

Weight: 296

40 Yrd Dash: 4.97

20 Yrd Dash: 2.87

10 Yrd Dash: 1.71

225 Lb. Bench Reps: 27

Vertical Jump: 31

Broad Jump: 09'06"

20 Yrd Shuttle: 4.60

3-Cone Drill: 7.81

My interest: An underreported element of Super Bowl champions and one exemplified by James Harrison is the ability of great teams to find freely available talent. Harrison was cut twice, including once by the Steelers, before becoming an All-Pro linebacker. He didn't start regularly until after he turned 29. Without spending a draft pick or substantially impacting their payroll, Pittsburgh added the 2008 Defensive Player of the Year. Harrison excelled in Pittsburgh because he was A) given a chance and B) fit a system in which his abilities are maximized.

Mike Solari is a proponent of a zone-blocking system. After flirting with it in 2008, new offensive coordinator Greg Knapp will make it the foundation of Seattle's offense. The face of zone blocking and perhaps its most famous proponent, Alex Gibbs, used it to great effect in Denver and Atlanta. Gibbs valued speed, agility and knowledge over size and power. I'm not sure Tim Ruskell is of like mind. While Ruskell certainly values athleticism, his offensive line picks are large and raw. It's an interesting mishmash of styles that could push zone blocking into the future or become a fantastic mess.

Jones fits the Gibbs school of zone blocking. He's athletic, quick, has good feet, but is a bit thin, doesn't overpower and though not a freeway against the bull rush, doesn't get much push himself. He's also fairly new at playing offensive line and entering an age where his athleticism and size could reach equilibrium. Most importantly though, he's essentially free.

On June 10, 2009, Amobi Okoye turns 22. Little more than a month later, Peria Jerry turns 25. Okoye will be preparing for his third season in the NFL. Jerry will be preparing for his first preseason in the NFL. If in the coming months you read in some haphazard scouting report that at Ole Miss Jerry looked like "a man among boys", perhaps it's because he was a man playing among boys. That's a crimson flag with about fifteen spotlights.

A minor league baseball player can be described as "old for his level". A player old for his level has his performance and potential discounted. That phrase is foreign to the NFL, but it shouldn't be. The exact same logic applies. Extensive studies have proven that players improve in ability up to a certain age (typically in the mid to late twenties) and then decline. I've yet to read a definitive explanation as to why this occurs, but I think it's simply a matter of a player reaching an optimum equilibrium of athleticism and expertise.

Okoye recorded 5.5 sacks and 7 tackles for a loss at 20. That's remarkable and Okoye has an excellent shot of becoming a top five defensive tackle. If baseball be an analog, he has a very good chance to make the Hall of Fame. His rookie season compares to Ken Griffey Jr.'s 1989. Neither were fantastic, but both more than held their own against established, full-grown professionals.

Jerry isn't just old for his level, he's old. He's older than Darryl Tapp, Lawrence Jacskon, Brandon Mebane, Sedrick Ellis, Trevor Laws, Glenn Dorsey and even 2006 first overall pick Mario Williams. If Jerry entered the NFL draft following his junior season, he would have been a mid-round pick. His stellar 2008 has pushed him into the first day. That's a bad investment. Jerry should excel at his age and level, and he didn't. He played very well.

Defensive tackles that are young for their level:

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The key to Seattle becoming a contender again is not the draft or free agency, but the talent already on the team. This is the first in a series of irregularly posted season recaps.

Lawrence Jackson

Overview: Jackson started 14 games. If not for Brian Russell, he would have been Seattle's worst defensive starter. When we look back at why Seattle's pass defense crumbled, we must remember Jackson starting, and starting, and starting. It took until week 7 for Darryl Tapp to recover his rightful spot and by week 9 Jackson was back, replacing an injured Patrick Kerney.

What Went Wrong: Jackson lacked NFL capable pass rush moves. That's common and I anticipated Jackson wouldn't consistently contribute as a pass rusher. Unfortunately, he consistently didn't contribute. He recorded four quarterback hits in almost a season's worth of snaps. He could get off the line, nearly turn the corner, string wide and isolate tackles, but couldn't take the next step. Tackle after tackle stonewalled him and eventually he simply took snaps off.

Quintessential Game: Green Bay at Seattle

Clifton enjoyed an easy day stopping Jackson, shading him when he started wide, he almost always did, and then locking him down in isolation. Jackson lacked the burst to get past and around Clifton, he lacked the inside move to cut in and lacked the hand fighting to shed Clifton and make a play for the pass rusher.

Jackson's consistent ineffectiveness made it easy for Green Bay's interior line to stay together and retain integrity. Rodgers benefited from a good pocket, despite bad down and distance and a near nonexistent run game. Of Green Bay's 65 plays before their final, clock killing drive in the fourth, 26 were from a bad down and distance (1^st-10+ (2) 2^nd-8+ (14) 3^rd-6+ (10)) including ten long third downs. Seattle's front four had the green light to "pin their ears" back - an underreported and hugely significant part of generating pass rush - but did nothing of the such. Like adding Brandon Mebane last season was a turning point for Seattle's pass and rush defense, because of Mebane's ability to force double teams, Jackson's ineffectiveness has caused a cascade effect, hurting Seattle's pass rush and weakening its secondary.

What Went Right: Jackson was never physically overmatched. He was quick off the line, moved well, showed very good awareness, and could stalemate run blockers. Jackson created a long edge for outside runs, allowing Seattle's linebackers and defensive backs time to get to the edge and intercept rushers.

Quintessential Game: Seattle at Buffalo

Kerney's Sack and LoJack's FTT: Finally, let's talk about that sack. First play of Buffalo's second drive. 1^st and 10 from the Bills 29. Buffalo is in a 4 WR, Rb set. Seattle responds with a 4-2 nickel, with Julian Peterson, Jackson, Craig Terrill and Kerney right to left. At the snap, like really at the snap, Jackson missiles into the Bills interior, forcing a no-shit triple team, getting Terrill on right tackle Kirk Chambers and isolating Kerney on Lynch. Now, you might say, that can't be. The Bills must have just screwed up their blocking assignments, but no way man, Jackson is madness. I really think all three Bills interior linemen surrounded Jackson out of pure practiced instinct. When a guy gets off the snap that fast and with that kind of authority, experience teaches get on that man, he's dangerous. Meanwhile, Kerney cleaned up, quickly shedding Lynch, but damn if Jackson's no stat, no mention, FTT wasn't ten times more amazing.

Jackson wouldn't force any more triple teams. Teams learned that after the explosion off the snap, Jackson lacked a second act. And though imposing at times to the blocker, he never figured out how to get past the blocker and to the ball carrier.

Outlook: Right now, Jackson is a Learjet minus a wing. There's a lot to be excited about, the navigation system is true, the crew strong, and damn there's a couple bangin' turbines near the base, but without that wing it's grounded. The good news is Jackson isn't hapless. He showed the ability to shed blockers at USC. He improved his footwork late in 2008, improving his ability to cut on inside moves and turn the corner outside. The bad news is that his best move pass rush move, a simple push, didn't and won't cut it in the pros. Jackson cratered mid-season, looking disconsolate and incapable, but made the kind of positive game-to-game strides in the second half of the season that hints at, if not break out, potential and growth in his second season.

Quintessential Game: Seahawks at Cowboys:

Lawrence Jackson is beginning to show a little life. He's getting off the ball well and actually showing some fight against opposing tackles. Jackson is still with training wheels as a pass rusher, but then so is pretty much every rookie defensive end. Jackson trails only Chris Long in tackles and sacks among defensive ends selected in the first day of the 2008 NFL draft. On one play, Seattle attempted to stunt Jackson to the inside. He was S.L.O.W off the snap, flat and deliberate to the inside and ineffective on the inside rush. The skills aren't there, but it's been a while since I've seen Jackson really not try. There's reason to think the skills will develop.

Name: Chris Canty

Birthdate: November 10, 1982

Height/Weight: 6'7"/304

Position: 3-4 End, 4-3 Tackle

College: Virginia, 26 starts, 40 games played

Notable Stats: 243 tackles, 7 sacks, 24 tackles for a loss, 20 quarterback pressures, 6 pass deflections

Pros: Cowboys, 50 starts in 4 seasons.

Notable Stats: 10 sacks, 16 non-sack tackles for a loss, 8 pass defenses

Pre-draft measurables: 5.0 in the 40-yard dash...335-pound bench press...500-pound squat...319-pound power clean...31-inch vertical jump...33 -inch arm length...10 -inch hands...Right-handed... 21/26 Wonderlic score.

20 Word Scouting Report: Massive, powerful, hustle pass rusher, slow off the line, trouble shedding blockers, disappears, plays tall, limited hand-fighting repertoire, stiff.

My Interest: Canty is purportedly after a contract like Tommy Kelly's seven year, 50.5 million dollar deal. Canty's package of age, character, production and projectability will convince some team into signing him, but I think it's a mistake. Canty is not a centerpiece player. His overall contribution: sacks, hurries, hits, ability to tie up blockers and anchor, are that of a support player, if an excellent one. The counterargument is that money is the most fungible asset in the NFL. Few teams suffer a true cap crunch and when they do purge, it's often a blessing. The cap structure is so team centric, cap crunches can be cleansing, excusing teams to cut costly older players that are still popular but who no longer produce. A team signing Canty would have a productive player that'll be paid in full (for cap purposes) before turning 30. It's good to probe non-traditional solutions to filling Seattle's need at left defensive tackle, and Canty could be a beast at the position in Madden, but given his lethargic first step, his lack of consistent disruption, his inability to shed blockers and his massive price tag, he's not what Seattle needs.