"A lot better than last week," Hasselbeck said. "A lot better."

You can click the link to read a quick transcript from the first couple minutes of the interview. Q: Facing Arizona, we hear a lot about their offense. You hear more about their offense than you do about the defense, but you obviously need to be schooled on their defense. What do they throw at you, what do they have?

Hasselbeck: I think for a lot of years they've had Pro Bowl players on offense. That's no secret, but I think especially last year and for a few years before that, some guys on defense have emerged as Pro Bowl players. Guys like Adrian Wilson, Darnell Dockett, last year Rodgers-Cromartie, their corner, had a great season. There are some guys on their defense that are Pro Bowl players. That's always hard when you're going up against guys like that.

Hasselbeck: I think statistics can be important, but early in the season -- when you haven't played a bunch of games -- they can also be a little bit misleading. That's not something that we're too concerned about.

Q: Are they a little less unorthodox than they have been in the past.

Hasselbeck: Yeah. They're definitely more sound defensively. They don't give up as many big plays. They're sound. In the past, they've been sort of all over the place. Risky. Gambling. I think part of the thing is that they're more talented on defense so they don't have to gamble as much. They can get a pass rush with just three guys. They can get a pass rush with four guys. They don't need to try to trick you.

Q: They beat you twice last year, they won the division and went to the Super Bowl. Does that make this feel like any sort of statement game to play them?

Hasselbeck: I think if anything they've earned some respect around the league. As for us, we've respected them for a long time. We've known how hard it has been to go up against those guys, in particular some of their marquee players. You've really got to bring your A-game when you're playing against them.

For them, I think last year they earned respect on a national level, which was a first for them. The other thing is you watch them now, and I think some of us can sympathize with the Super Bowl-hangover type thing. It's very difficult to come off a Super Bowl loss and to repeat, and they've done a pretty good job so far.

Q: Why do you think that is?

Hasselbeck: I have no reason for it. I can't explain it, but it is real. It's a tough thing to get over that game especially for them because they were one play away from winning the Super Bowl and they really could have won it. It's just got to be tough.