Hawks Notebook | Hamlin a hit in September

KIRKLAND — Ken Hamlin had to process it for just a second.

Winning the NFC Defensive Player of the Month award for September was almost like things coming full circle for the Seahawks' big-hitting free safety. Less than a year ago he was in a local hospital with a fractured skull and other injuries that threatened his playing career, all from a fight outside a Seattle night spot.

The award spoke volumes that Hamlin is back in full effect. And when he was informed he had won, Hamlin paused ever so slightly.

"Am I?" he asked. "Oh, it's definitely a big honor. Didn't expect it, and I'm appreciative of that honor."

Hamlin, who missed practice Wednesday with a sore shoulder but was back in limited action Thursday, had two interceptions and 18 tackles in September. The fourth-year pro also had a sack and a forced fumble as the Seahawks went 3-0.

"Big hits aren't everything," Hamlin said. "I want to be known as a more all-around type of safety."

Hamlin is the first Seahawks defender to win the honor since Chad Brown in November 1998.

Here come the MLBs

They share the same position, middle linebacker.

One is a premier player in the NFL. The other is well on his way toward achieving such status.

Brian Urlacher of the Chicago Bears and the Seahawks' Lofa Tatupu will be in the middle of the action Sunday when their teams face off at Soldier Field.

The comparisons stop at the position each plays. Urlacher is a freak of nature for a linebacker at 6 feet 4 and 258 pounds. Tatupu is generously listed at 6 feet, and weighs 20 pounds less.

Yet each is a playmaker and the leader of his defense.

"He's always doing these hand gestures, moving guys around when the offense moves ... " Urlacher said of Tatupu. "He looks like a smart guy out there getting guys lined up."

Urlacher thought Tatupu was the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2005. Shawne Merriman won the award.

"He should have been," Urlacher said of Tatupu.

Said Tatupu of the comment, "I appreciate it."

At long last

Russell Davis is expected to play his first regular-season game as a Seahawk on Sunday.

The defensive tackle, signed in free agency during the offseason, has been patiently waiting, having been inactive for Seattle's first three games. With five defensive tackles on the 53-man roster, Davis has been the odd man out.

That changed when Marcus Tubbs was sidelined for at least one game with a knee injury. Davis, an eight-year pro, will take Tubbs' place in the rotation and get a shot at the Bears, the team that took him in the second round of the 1999 draft.

"You just wait your time and try not to be a distraction," Davis said. "You just try to do what's asked of you ... until you get an opportunity."

Missing the Arizona game in Week 2 stung. Davis was with the Cardinals for the past six seasons.

"It was real hard," he said. "It was a decision that was out of my hands."

Holmgren talked about not using Davis last week and lauded Davis for handling the situation well.

"I'm not one of those guys that's going to go crying to the media, crying to the coaches, 'Why am I not doing this, why am I not having this,' " Davis said. "I'm going to go out there and do what they ask me to do, whether it's scout team or whatever it may be and just wait my time until I can go out there."

Davis is spending this week in practice trying to work off the rust.

Note

• Tubbs had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Wednesday and is out for Sunday's game. He could return by the Oct. 15 game at St. Louis.

José Miguel Romero: 206-464-2409 or jromero@seattletimes.com