Tapp surges for 4 sacks, lets his joy burst out

Darryl Tapp can't say five words without laughing. He is a cure for depression, a 270-pound man whose chuckle erupts from his gap-toothed mouth.

After his Seahawks-record-tying four sacks Sunday, a reporter told Tapp that a teammate, defensive tackle Craig Terrill, wondered what he had for breakfast.

"I had the same thing he had. Some steak and some spaghetti," Tapp replied, referencing the team's pregame meal.

Then he laughed, a three-second explosion, before a prompt return to seriousness. His joy is so random and refreshing and repetitive that it almost seems planned. But there's no way anyone could fake this much delight.

Tapp played the game of his life in the Seahawks' 33-6 dismissing of St. Louis at Qwest Field. The defensive end had never squished the quarterback so often. Not in high school. Not in middle school. Not in pee wee football, for sure.

"I never played pee wee," Tapp said. "Mom wouldn't let me. I played soccer."

Yeah, the laugh. Again.

His chuckle is quicker than a good quarterback's release. Marc Bulger, the quarterback Tapp harassed so excessively, is known for his quick release. He's also known for holding on to the ball until the last possible moment, and it was a very unbecoming trait Sunday.

The Seahawks sacked Bulger, who was already playing with broken ribs, seven times. They forced him into three interceptions and two fumbles, a most Grossman-esque performance.

It was the kind of defensive effort the Seahawks needed coming off two uninspiring games. And it was the kind of effort you'd expect against a winless and battered team.

The fun began with Tapp, who had 4.5 career sacks entering this game. It seemed like he was in the backfield the entire day.

Tapp even fought through a holding penalty once to tackle Bulger. On that play, Rams left tackle Alex Barron spun Tapp all the way around, but Tapp broke free and made the play.

Told that a replay showed Barron had both hands on Tapp's helmet, Tapp said, "He did? Shocking to me."

And, of course, the laugh.

Tapp even giggled while talking about the broken right hand he suffered. He finished the game with a cast that looked like a boxing glove. Still, he managed one final sack.

In celebration, Tapp swung his right arm through the air.

Just like a champion fighter.

"Maybe defenses can start doubling him," joked Seahawks linebacker Julian Peterson, who played his usual disruptive game.

Replied Tapp: "I still think they ought to double-team the Pro Bowler before they worry about me."

It's easy for Tapp to stay humble. Until recently, he was wondering what was wrong with him.

He began the season as Bryce Fisher's backup at right end, but the Seahawks traded Fisher to Tennessee after the season opener. They thought Tapp was ready to be a starter.

Tapp, the Seahawks' second-round pick in the 2006 draft, was torn. Fisher taught him so much, but he was excited for the opportunity. He had to do something to show he belonged, and he had to do it right away. He wound up putting too much pressure on himself.

"I just had to calm down and let things come to me," Tapp said. "When you're pressing, it's like every play you feel like you've got to make that play, and you end up doing too much."

He didn't feel comfortable until last week. The Seahawks suffered an embarrassing 28-17 loss to New Orleans, but Tapp finally relaxed.

Then, against the Rams, he turned into Dwight Freeney Lite.

Peterson compared Tapp to Freeney, the Indianapolis Colts star, after the game. The compliment left Tapp giddy.

"He's probably one of the reasons guys of my stature are in the NFL," he said.

At 6 feet 1 and 270 pounds, Tapp is a small end, if you're judging him by traditional standards. But Freeney's success has spurred a belief that ends don't have to be statuesque bookends to thrive.

Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said Tapp's injury could require surgery. He compared the injury to the one fullback David Kirtman suffered in the preseason.

Kirtman had surgery, but he only missed a week. Fortunately, the Seahawks have a bye this week. If Tapp doesn't heal as quickly as Kirtman, he should be able to continue playing with that cast.

He hopes to heal during the bye, however. The broken hand caused him to drop an interception Sunday. But he also dropped one earlier in the game, when the hand was feeling good.

"Aw, man, c'mon!" Tapp exclaimed when reminded of the blooper.

Yep, he laughed again, loud and long this time, the best chuckle on the best day of his pro career.

Jerry Brewer: 206-464-2277 or jbrewer@seattletimes.com. For his Extra Points blog, visit seattletimes.com/sports