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Monday, September 6, 2004 - Page updated at 5:30 p.m. 
In what is expected to be a successful season for the Seahawks, the defense could be a liability because of its youth. But the youngsters can play and, perhaps as important, they can run. That's huge in coordinator Ray Rhodes' style of play. The defense may not blitz frequently, but it will look to create turnovers and hit opponents with full force. The Seahawks are certain to have one of the NFL's younger defenses, with eight projected starters having played four full seasons or less. A dominant season might not be necessary, with the capability of the offense. The Seahawks hope their young defenders can limit the scoring against them and get the ball into the hands of the offense. A position-by-position look at the depth chart, with a closer look at the starters. — Jose Miguel Romero
 
LE - Chike Okeafor, No. 56Okeafor quietly put together a solid training camp. Good speed and explosion off the ball help him get past offensive linemen. Okeafor moves from right end to left end this season. Last year, he had 47 tackles and eight sacks, both career highs. Backup: Brandon Mitchell. 
DT - Cedric Woodard, No. 98Called upon last year because of injuries, Woodard stepped in and performed admirably. He started 12 games, despite not having much experience. Woodard, having signed a new contract in the offseason, will be counted on most on run defense. Backup: Rocky Bernard. 
DT - Rashad Moore, No. 95Moore, a sixth-round draft pick last year, started six games as a rookie. Moore made his mark on goal-line defense. With John Randle retired, Moore steps in as a starter. First-round pick Marcus Tubbs is right behind him. Backup: Marcus Tubbs. 
RE - Grant Wistrom, No. 96Wistrom was the Seahawks' top free-agent acquisition in the offseason, plucked from the division rival St. Louis Rams. A foot injury kept him out of action until the week of the last exhibition game, but Wistrom will be ready to go Sunday. Backup: Antonio Cochran. 
OLB - Anthony Simmons, No. 51 Simmons has the longest tenure among the starters. Known for his blazing speed, Simmons has had problems staying healthy. But he can make plays and fits in well with Rhodes' scheme because he moves so fast. Backup: Isaiah Kacyvenski. 
MLB - Orlando Huff, No. 57After a competition that lasted throughout training camp, Huff emerged from a tight pack. He didn't do much to distinguish himself from the two other candidates, Solomon Bates and Niko Koutouvides, but his experience as a starter gave him an edge. Backup: Niko Koutouvides 
OLB - Isaiah Kacyvenski, No. 58Kacyvenski has gone from a special-teams ace in 2001, starting middle linebacker in 2002, situational player in 2003 to starting outside linebacker this season. Kacyvenski replaces Chad Brown, who will miss at least five games with a broken fibula. Backup: Tracy White. 
LCB - Marcus Trufant, No. 23Trufant quietly put together a solid training camp. He drew a couple of illegal-contact penalties in exhibition games and will have to be careful now that officials are emphasizing that penalty this season. The Tacoma native has the makings of a star. Backup: Bobby Taylor. 
RCB - Ken Lucas, No. 21Lucas had the best training camp of any defensive player and kept one of the team's biggest offseason acquisitions, veteran Bobby Taylor, from taking his starting job. Lucas came out with a purpose and made play after play in practice. Backup: Bobby Taylor. 
SS - Terreal Bierria, No. 34Bierria, healthy again after spending 2003 on injured reserve, kept rookie Michael Boulware from taking the job. Bierria is a solid tackler and has size and speed, two things the Seahawks covet. Boulware will move into the spot eventually. Backup: Michael Boulware. 
FS - Ken Hamlin, No. 26The Hammer is back to make more big hits. Hamlin needs to become more consistent and better conditioned this season. He had a good training camp and has to find a way to put it all together for a full season instead of wearing down. Backup: Michael Boulware. 
P - Tom Rouen, No. 16Rouen may not have the leg power he once had, but he's still good for a long punt occasionally and is good at pinning opponents deep in their territory. He beat out a talented rookie draft pick, Donnie Jones, to win the job. Rouen is also a good holder for kicker Brown.
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