Hawks "Chosen One" leads pack

KIRKLAND — Find another Seahawk who has accomplished so much in his first two-plus pro seasons.

Lofa Tatupu has been to two Pro Bowls and played in a Super Bowl. He has led the Seahawks in tackles in back-to-back seasons, and tops the charts in that category after four games this season. His 228 tackles in his first two seasons are the second-most in team history for that many games.

Not surprisingly, Tatupu repeatedly has been chosen as team captain. He was voted a defensive captain this season and last, and when the Seahawks chose postseason captains in 2005, Tatupu, then a rookie, was one of those selected.

"The guys you go out there and do battle with, they chose you," Tatupu said. "And I'm just fortunate to be one of those guys, and I'm just trying to live up to their expectations."

In addition to his team-high 31 tackles, Tatupu also has forced three fumbles and has one interception. Expectations? Tatupu has surpassed them and keeps getting better.

He was a pleasant surprise when the Seahawks drafted him in the second round in 2005. It became apparent right away he could play well at the NFL level, so after a season or less, Tatupu was no longer a surprise to himself, the Seahawks or other teams.

He is the heart of the Seahawks' defense, a 24-year-old who has earned the respect of his peers.

"One of the best middle linebackers playing right now," Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger said. "If you just watch him, everything he does, he's just instinctive. And if you put a category down for a guy that's just a flat-out football player, he is a football player. If you had a kid who was going to play linebacker, that's who you want him to watch."

Some football experts used to say Tatupu doesn't have the ideal size — 6 feet, 242 pounds — or speed to play his position. No one says that now. Two Pro Bowls, enough big hits for his own NFL Films tribute, discipline, instinct, football smarts, detailed preparation and his passion for the game have silenced the critics.

Throw in charisma — says defensive coordinator John Marshall — and the Seahawks have an anchor of their defense.

Tatupu might not have an individual score to settle with the Pittsburgh Steelers this Sunday, but few Seahawks hate losing more. Don't think he's forgotten the Super Bowl defeat and running back Willie Parker's 75-yard touchdown run in that game.

"More than the Pro Bowls, you'd love to win. You want to be remembered as a winner," Tatupu said. "That's what everybody wants in this game."

Tatupu already has helped the Seahawks atone for another running back who ran all over them last season, San Francisco's Frank Gore. Tatupu had eight tackles in that game and dropped Gore twice for no gain.

Tatupu loves a big hit. "Once you get one in the game, it's kind of like an addiction," he said. "You're waiting for your next fix."

The Seahawks swarmed to the ball in shutting down the run last week, and Tatupu was one of many who stood out on defense. Which is fine with Tatupu. He isn't one to take all the credit for what he has accomplished, acknowledging good coaching for making him a better player.

Having another Pro Bowler in Julian Peterson and solid Leroy Hill on his left and right gives the Seahawks one of the best groups of linebackers in the NFL.

"I'm still doing the same things I used to do," Tatupu said. "I think I fell into a perfect situation. I couldn't ask for a better group of guys, ones that would even consider voting on a rookie captain."

They've voted for him ever since.

"I think Carson Palmer said it. It ranks right up there with his Heisman," Tatupu said of the Cincinnati quarterback. "I haven't won any awards or anything but I feel this is one of the greatest honors I've ever received."

What Matt Hasselbeck is to the offense, Tatupu is to the defense.

"For a few years around here I was hard-pressed to find leaders of any kind," coach Mike Holmgren said, "and now we have good leadership on the football team."

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