Seattle Seahawks: Lofa Tatupu and 5 Players Who Need to Step Up in 2011

The Seattle Seahawks had an up-and-down 2010-11 season, to say the least.

They struggled throughout the year but then became the first team ever to win a division with a losing record. They headed into the playoffs against the defending Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints with essentially no expectations and, of course, knocked them off.

They then traveled to Chicago with the hopes that a win would bring them back to Seattle for another home game and, of course, got manhandled by the Bears.

If the 'Hawks are going to avoid putting fans through the same roller-coaster torture, they are going to have to establish some consistency. Here are some young players that are going to be key to making that happen.

Of course, the NFL season is still up in the air at this point. We still aren't sure of certain starters, to-be free agents and other variables. I'll make my best attempt to avoid these question marks, as they are best saved for another time.

Sources:

ESPN

NFL.com

Seahawks website

Ben Obomanu, WR

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE, WA - DECEMBER 05: Wide receiver Ben Obomanu #87 of the Seattle Seahawks makes a catch against the Carolina Panthers at Qwest Field on December 5, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. The Seahawks defeated the Panthers 31-14. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Get

The Seahawks signed Obomanu and Mike Williams to three-year extensions in January, and it appears they are set to start at WR.

After those two, however, things get murky at the receiver spot for Seattle.

Golden Tate struggled at times as a rookie, Brandon Stokley—who could settle in nicely as the slot receiver—is set to hit free agency, Deon Butler has injury concerns and Kris Durham is obviously unproven.

Obomanu and Williams will therefore have to establish some sort of consistency at the top.

Williams, when healthy, has shown that he can consistently contribute, but the real key this year will be Obomanu.

Entering his seventh year, Obomanu has to establish himself as a constant threat early and often.

The young guys simply aren't ready to be relied on as go-to receivers, and Obomanu has to keep that burden off them.

Russell Okung, LT

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE - AUGUST 14: Tackle Russell Okung #76 of the Seattle Seahawks pass blocks during the preseason game against the Tennessee Titans at Qwest Field on August 14, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)

With Sean Locklear and Chris Spencer possibly leaving due to free agency and rookies James Carpenter and John Moffitt possibly entering the starting lineup, this offensive line is about to get very young.

The No. 6 overall pick from 2010 may have to anchor this line.

If the right side is made up of rookies, the center and left guard positions remain question marks and Okung struggles at LT, it could be a long year for Matt Hasselbeck or whoever is under center in 2011.

Essentially, Okung is the surest thing Seattle has right now on the offensive line, and he needs to play better—and stay healthier—than last year.

Red Bryant, DT/DE

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE - SEPTEMBER 26: Wide receiver Patrick Crayton #12 of the San Diego Chargers is tackled by Lawyer Milloy #36 and Red Bryant #79 of the Seattle Seahawks at Qwest Field on September 26, 2010 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Ima

The former DT from Texas A&M was inserted as DE last year for the first eight weeks of the season before a knee injury sidelined him for the year.

The fact of the matter is this: The Seattle Seahawks defense was a completely different defense when Red Bryant was on the line—for the better. 

He won't fix the run defense singlehandedly, but if Bryant returns to pre-injury form, he will help this defense in a much-needed way.

Lofa Tatupu, LB

Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

CHICAGO, IL - JANUARY 16: Running back Matt Forte #22 of the Chicago Bears runs the ball as Lofa Tatupu #51 of the Seattle Seahawks attempts to tackle him from behind in the 2011 NFC divisional playoff game at Soldier Field on January 16, 2011 in Chicago

This might be Tatupu's last year to prove that he can be effective in the middle of Seattle's defense. The linebacking corps for this team has tons of talent with Tatupu, David Hawthorne, Aaron Curry and Will Herring.

The problem with this group is that, besides Hawthorne, they have failed to play up to expectations in the last two years.

Tatupu missed 11 games with injuries in 2009, but he was back last year and simply didn't perform well enough. Granted, he was still hobbled by the same knee injuries, but he needs to do better.

After having arthroscopic surgery on both knees, Lofa needs to prove he can get back to his early-career form.

If the Seahawks can get a healthy Tatupu along with Hawthorne and hopefully a somewhat improved Aaron Curry, the linebacking corps will be in good shape for 2011.

Earl Thomas, S

Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

SEATTLE, WA - JANUARY 02: Safety Earl Thomas #29 and cornerback Marcus Brown #32 of the Seattle Seahawks celebrate a defensive play against the St. Louis Rams during their game at Qwest Field on January 2, 2011 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Otto Gre

Thomas showed flashes of absolute brilliance in 2010. He also showed at times that he was certainly still a rookie.

With the possibility of a very young secondary (Jordan Babineaux, Lawyer Milloy and Kelly Jennings are all unrestricted free agents), ET needs to step his game up to Pro Bowl status this year.

It's a lot to ask of the first-round pick, I know, but sometimes you need players to make enormous offseason strides. If anyone on this team can do it, Earl Thomas can.

He's going to have to be the anchor at the back of that defense.