Seahawks' first pick shows determination to beef up defense

KIRKLAND — Need did not dictate Seattle's first-round selection.

Desire and determination were the reasons Seattle chose USC defensive end Lawrence Jackson with the 28th overall pick. Not Jackson's desire and determination, mind you, though he sounds like a compelling fellow. He's a four-year starter for the Trojans who enjoyed his philosophy classes enough to consider majoring in the subject, which makes him a cerebral sack artist who finished with 30.5 sacks in college.

Seattle chose Jackson because of its desire to deepen a pass rush that's already fairly formidable, a decision that showed the Seahawks' determination to remain a playoff contender with their defense.

Things have changed here in Seattle. The defense that was in such disrepair when Tim Ruskell arrived as president in 2005 is no longer a liability. Now, the Seahawks continue trying to make it their strength.

The Seahawks addressed their most pressing need in the second round, choosing tight end John Carlson. It was the first-round pick that showed the Seahawks' M.O. involves collecting a whole slew of fire-breathing pass rushers and unleashing them from all angles.

The offense carried the Seahawks to the ranks of perennial playoff qualifiers, but the defense is what they believe will keep them there. They might not be wrong in that regard.

The Giants won a Super Bowl that way, amassing a defensive line that was versatile as it was deep and bludgeoning Tom Brady sufficiently for the Patriots to lose for the only time all season.

Seattle didn't pick Jackson to fill a hole, the Seahawks selected him to add to the arsenal of a pass rush that ranked fourth in the NFL in sacks last season with 45. That's the position where they drafted Darryl Tapp in the second round in 2006 and signed Patrick Kerney for beaucoup bucks in 2007.

"You can't get enough pass rushers," Ruskell said. "Coach says that. Everybody says that."

Seattle used to accumulate that kind of firepower on offense. Remember those good old days when they picked Shaun Alexander with Ricky Watters still on the roster, chose Koren Robinson with a first-round pick one year and tight end Jerramy Stevens with a first-rounder the next?

Seattle made six first-round picks in the four years Holmgren had final say over football personnel. Five were used to choose players for the offense.

When Ruskell arrived as president in 2005, the offense came pre-assembled. Just add batteries and a playmaker or two like Joe Jurevicius.

The defense is what needed heavy bodywork. First came the linebackers, drafting Lofa Tatupu and Leroy Hill in 2005 and signing Julian Peterson one year later. Then came the defensive ends, Tapp in 2006 and Kerney the following year. Last year, Seattle overhauled its secondary, signing safeties Deon Grant and Brian Russell.

Well, defense is no longer a liability. In fact, at times it was Seattle's strength last year. The Seahawks allowed the fewest touchdown passes in the league. Seattle ranked 15th in yards allowed but allowed the fewest touchdown passes in the league and put crippling pressure on opposing quarterbacks in home games.

The Seahawks lost one defensive tackle — Chuck Darby — to free agency and have another coming back from knee surgery in Marcus Tubbs. Instead of looking to the inside of the defensive line in the first round, the Seahawks looked to the edge.

Ruskell said before the draft that his team wasn't beholden to any position, which makes the selection of Jackson all the more meaningful. Seattle didn't need Jackson so much as it wanted him.

Danny O'Neil: 206-464-2364 or doneil@seattletimes.com