Breaking Down the Seattle Seahawks Position-by-Position: Linebacker

(Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

The Seahawks on paper have one of if not the best trio of linebackers in the NFL with Leroy Hill, Lofa Tatupu and rookie Aaron Curry. Tatupu is the most proven, followed by Hill and rounding out the three is rookie LB Aaron Curry who was the best complete player in the 2009 NFL draft. So lets get started

Strong side LB: Aaron Curry, Backup: Will Herring

Examination: Aaron Curry, who was a strong side linebacker in college at Wake Forest will also be a strong side linebacker for the Seahawks.

Curry's stats at Wake Forest are as follows. 320 total tackles, five forced fumbles, six interceptions, and nine total sacks in four seasons at Wake Forest.

I see Curry having the same rookie season as Patrick Willis did in San Fransisco. Willis had 135 solo tackles and 174 total tackles in his rookie season. Now maybe Curry wont be that well but both Curry and Willis are tackling machines.

Middle LB: Lofa Tatupu, Backup: David Hawthorne

Examination: Lofa Tatupu, ever since being selected in the second round of the 2005 draft he's been completely worth it. Tatupu made the pro bowl the first three seasons, this was the only season when he didn't make the pro bowl. Lofa was also a 2007 all-pro.

Last off season Tatupu and the Seahawks came to an agreement on a six year, 42 million dollar contract that will make a " Seahawk for life." So as long as No. 51 is in the middle of the defense no one will take it from him. I expect Tatupu to get back to his pro bowl form this season.

Weak side LB: Leroy Hill, Backup: D.D Lewis

Examination: Leroy Hill, who was drafted in the third round in the same draft as Tatupu still has to make that leap from a solid LB to a great/outstanding LB. This off season the Seahawks franchise tagged Hill, but he refused to sign the tender. After the Seahawks drafted Aaron Curry they rescinded the tag from Hill making him a free agent.

About a week later the Seahawks and Leroy Hill came to an agreement on a six year 38 million dollar contract. Now this season Hill has to prove he's worth the money. This is going to have be the season where he takes that leap.

So looking at this trio of linebackers its hard to disagree that they have the best LB corps in the NFL. But really they can be the best if Curry has a rookie season like Patrick Willis and become a tackling machine and if Leroy Hill can make that leap then this will be the best LB corps in the entire NFL.

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