Could the Seahawks Benefit from a 3-4 Formation?

With the emergence of David Hawthorne, many Seahawks fans are asking, "What do we do when Lofa Tatupu comes back?"

It's a tough question. Playing Tatupu means playing a proven leader of a defense and a guy who knows opposing schemes like the back of his facemask.

On the other hand, Hawthorne has steadily and rapidly improved as a defensive playmaker, with three interceptions and a plethora of the hard hits he's known for. He's also a superior athlete.

I say, instead of choosing one or the other, why not both?

Defensive Line

Right now, the Seahawks have what can be called a solid defensive line.

They have good depth at the ends with Patrick Kerney, Cory Redding, Darryl Tapp, Lawrence Jackson, and Nick Reed. They also have a very good young defensive tackle on the rise in Brandon Mebane.

The problem comes from the drop-off between Seattle's No. 1 and No. 2 tackles.

Colin Cole was signed in the offseason, and while he has at times supplied the big-bodied lineman to stuff the run, it has been all too easy to push him off the line. The defense may be better off without him.

Outside Linebackers

The Seattle Seahawks have spent a lot of money on the linebacker position, and that has never been more evident than in 2009, where they gave big, long contracts to both Leroy Hill and Aaron Curry.

Both players are accomplished pass rushers and have shown good ability to follow running backs going wide. They would only benefit from being placed on the edge of the defensive line, where they can wrap right around the offensive protection.

Secondary

How such a move would affect the secondary would largely depend on how effectively the players in front of them would function.

If the 3-4 retains the ability to stuff the run while also revitalizing the pass rush, then it would help out a currently weak backfield in a situation where more athletic linebackers can help out in coverage.

It could use it, especially against teams that have big wide receivers.

Using a 3-4 against teams like Arizona would make it easier to put big athletic guys like Curry to compete vertically against Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin, whom shorter cornerbacks like Kelly Jennings and Josh Wilson don't match up well against.

David Hawthorne

Hawthorne has had a certain level of fan buzz around him since his first preseason games as a Seahawk in 2008. He put his nickname, "The Heater," to good use, often leaving opponents on the ground when he hit them

Since then, he has rapidly become a competent replacement, or even improvement, at the middle linebacker position, at least as far as athleticism is concerned.

The thing he lacks is an understanding and recognition of what opposing defenses are up to.

Lofa Tatupu

What can be said about Lofa Tatupu that hasn't been said? He's the captain of the Seahawks defense, a consummate Seahawk, and one of the smartest players do ever don a helmet.

He manages his squad the way Peyton Mannning manages receivers. He just signed a contract that will make him a Seahawk for life.

The only knock on the guy? He's small and not that fast.

Of course, he makes up for it by knowing where Frank Gore is going before Gore does, but there's little question that the team would benefit from having another strong body in the middle.

The ins and outs of the Seahawks depth chart

If Hawthorne continues to make himself heard with his play, the team could slowly mix in more and more 3-4 plays to get the team used to it.

Games against Arizona or other teams with big receivers would be perfect test samples.

If it works, perhaps a full-time move would be in order. If not, something has to give. Either Hawthorne or the weak link in the Sea-Linebacker chain would have to be replaced.

If not, the team will have to be in the market for a better defensive tackle. It's looking unlikely that Cole will be ready to play at a starting level in the near future.

Redding could be moved inside, where he was in Detroit, and that would give the Hawks a good sack threat inside. However, that begins to stretch the defensive end depth thin, especially if Kerney is close to done.

A high draft pick could be used on either one, but with so much money already allotted to the defense and more pressing needs in the secondary, such a move would seem ill-advised.