Beyond
Chris Spencer
the Seahawks
2005 Draft was not filled with high impact players but rather those who
don’t quite fit the Scouts criteria for a Star player. There is one player
who looks set to provide an outstanding example to Seahawk Rookies for many
years to come.
Long-term NFL fans will remember the Surname Tatupu. His father Mosi was a
Fullback for New England for 14 years. He comes from good stock at least.
Initially, he doesn’t seem to justify a Second Round pick but the more
digging you do on this guy the more you understand why the Front office were
so impressed with him.
He’s less than 6 Feet tall, weighs less than
230 lbs but was still a vital cog in the USC Championship winning Defense.
Tatupu himself is not oblivious to this fact & seems to have used his own
physical shortcomings as a tool to motivate himself. Ever since he was told
he would never make it as a Division 1A player he’s made a career out of
proving people wrong.
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Lofa wasn’t worried
about his high profile teammates Mike Williams & Dan Cody getting all
the media attention he just wanted to play Football. One fact that came
to light after the 55 –19 victory over Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl
demonstrates his contribution to the team: Tatupu was calling the
Sooners Offensive plays before they ran them. A fact confirmed
afterwards by Cody. One thing is certain; you won’t find the modest
Tatupu advertising this fact himself.
The Hawaiian was projected by some Draft
sites as Fourth Round Pick & he thought he would be a Third Rounder at
best. Particularly as he chose to enter the NFL after his Junior year.
To some Scouts size is everything. Unsurprisingly, Tatupu doesn’t share
that view: “You don’t have to be 6-4, 250 to make a tackle. Look at Zach
Thomas. Look at London Fletcher. Look at Dexter Coakley. Look at Dat
Nguyen. Look at production."
Pundits have likened him to Teddy Bruschi,
Mike Singletary & Thomas but how does Tatupu look at himself?
"Relentless. I feel that every play is the chance to make something
happen. Some of those bigger guys, they rest on their talent, and I have
some talent, but I feel that my ability to hustle separates me from the
rest."
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You might recall that the recently released Anthony Simmons seems to fit the
second half of that statement. It is ironic then that Tatupu will wear 51
the number last worn by Simmons.
Anyone who checks out the Pro Shop regularly will also have noticed that
Simmons Jerseys had been in the Discounted items section for quite some
time. The chances of that happening during its new
Tenants stay? Nil.
Why am I so sure? He’s been a Seahawk less
than a Week & he already has his own fan site. Don’t other Seahawk players
have their own sites? Yes, but unlike his teammates this isn’t controlled by
Agents, Spin Doctors or PR experts its run by a Fan. Image isn’t high on
Tatupu’s list of priorities he lets his Hunger & Desire to succeed on the
Field tell you what you need to know about him.
He’s already ahead of Dad in one Department.
He has Two National Championships to his Fathers one. Tatupu Senior also
made a Superbowl appearance - as a loser. Can Junior go one better? Wouldn’t
bet against it.
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