Okay, now it’s official, Frank Hughes is sliding over onto the Seahawks beat from the Sonics. What does this mean to you? Anybody who reads the TNT knows that Frank is a pedigreed newshound. He’s generally way out front on Sonics happenings and has been deft with his analysis of where things are headed and why. He walks in with a veteran’s skill at developing and working sources, and delivering the news in an interesting style. Just as Mike Sando excelled in different ways when taking over for John Clayton, I’m sure Frank will do the same stepping in for Mike. I’ve been around long enough to have worked with all three. I respect them all as newsmen and friends. This beat will be in very good hands.

--To bassnw, who worried I would walk out on you all one morning, leaving you feeling used and oh-so cheap: Remember, I set up the ground rules for this relationship from the start. You knew this was only a summer fling, a vacation dalliance, and that eventually I’d be going back to my long-term love. But that doesn’t mean it has to be just about the laughs and satisfying needs. It can be meaningful … the fun, the sharing, the exploration … oh, yes … yes … yes. Here’s one thing you know is true, that when the day arrives that I have to break it off, I guarantee you that I’ll write.

--The Tank Johnson Issue: As so many of you pointed out, Tank Johnson will never play for a Seahawks franchise run by Tim Ruskell, who stresses character and off-field accountability. Such a thing would undermine the culture he’s created.

Still, anybody who watched opposing backs have career days against the Hawks last season knows that run-defense is a serious deficiency. Aside from allowing the other team to control the clock and wear you down, the inability to stop the run has so many other damaging side-effects, including the psychically painful realization that the other guys are dominating you. Big, strong, athletic men don’t like being run over. When that happens, they get cranky.

Weakness at defensive tackle causes problems all the way down the field … sort of a “trickle-back” effect. It’s my opinion that linebacker Lofa Tatupu seemed less effective last season than in his rookie year because backs weren’t getting slowed down at the line, and secondary players were getting beaten up because they were having to make too many tackles on backs who should have been stopped before they got that far down field.

The answer fans and staff can hope for lies in the return to health of Marcus Tubbs. Sando has filled you in on Tubbs’ rehab from the microfracture surgery on his knee, and told you how good Tubbs has been looking even though he’s been sidelined, and how hard he appears to be working at getting back on the field. Let me put it this way, the guy is an absolute physical beast. He looks stronger, leaner and more mature. If he can get and stay healthy, he could have as much impact as any “addition” to a roster in the league.

--To klm008, who asked about the offensive line situation, particularly in the middle: Doubts are valid when you go into a season with center Chris Spencer coming off shoulder surgery and his possible back-up, guard Chris Gray, turning 37. The expectation is that Spencer will be recovered by training camp and Gray is a warhorse who is almost impossible to sideline. Barring worst-case scenario, they should be able to find somebody to snap the ball with those two. I haven’t seen enough of Pat Ross in live action to make a fair evaluation. Be certain that if Spencer is sound, he’s going to be a long-term anchor on that line. He’s one of the strongest men on the team, nimble, and he seems bright enough to develop the grasp on line calls.

--To itscarlstime247: It’s my understanding that there will zero fan access to training camp at the Kirkland headquarters. There’s no place to park and no sideline space for fans. I’ll double check and get back to you, but I’m almost positive. It will be interesting to see how it works out at the new facility next year. It might take them a little time to get the logistics figured out. Having walked the site, it doesn’t seem like much space there, either, for all that they plan to put in. As I recall from the media day gathering they had last spring, team exec Tod Leiweke pointed to a berm area that would accommodate fan attendance. But I think parking would require some manner of shuttle from an off-site area. I think Leiweke has been pretty sharp in solidifying the franchise’s connection to the fans and recognizes the public-relations value of it. I think they’ll make something work at the new place, although I would assume that space constraints would keep access from being unlimited.

--To oldslow, who asked how practices differ from day to day during the season: On the typical week of a Sunday afternoon game, Monday is film work, light loosening up and time in the training room. Tuesday is off. Wednesday and Thursday are the heavy-work days when the game plan is implemented. Friday tapers off and might involve travel. On how much contact they have in practice … very, very little at full speed during the season. Some blocking sessions go live, but I think live tackling pretty much stops. Even during training camp it’s not like it used to be when they’d feature lengthy “live” scrimmages. Roster limits and the value of these players caused teams to recognize the wisdom of risk reduction.

--To Sherminator and Woofu (and trust me, I have a hard time believing I just typed in “Sherminator” and “Woofu”), who asked for more observations on players and stories from the past: Sure, I’d love to, sounds like a great idea. As I promised, I’m going to assiduously avoid the newsy aspect of this. News would require calling agents and sources, etc., which I swore NOT to do on vacation. But telling stories? Sure, that’s easy and fun … it’s the kind of thing I get asked to do whenever I’m invited to speak at Seahawkers meetings and such. I’m always asked about who are the good guys and who are the crumbs. What goes on in the locker room? What’s so-and-so like to deal with? Absolutely. Maybe I can do some lists … favorites, toughest, funniest, etc. You all can help me shape this by telling me what you want to hear. At some point, I’ll have to identify the one player I came to dislike because he so often delighted in walking past a gathering of media and … (how to put this?) … cutting the cheese.

--To PaulieP and others who graciously suggested I continue with the Seahawks blog: Thanks for the support, but my day job is one of the coolest on the planet. It’s something I’ve worked hard to attain. As a columnist for the Trib, I’ve been sent to cover Olympics in Japan, Greece and Italy, a dozen Super Bowls, NBA Finals, bowl games, U.S. Open golf, etc., etc. I doubt that any paper our size in the country expends the resources on sports coverage we do, and I’ve been lucky enough to benefit. I love covering the Seahawks and it’s probably my favorite thing to do. Be assured that I’ll keep providing analysis and opinions three or four times a week in columns. But I also get to do so many other things besides Seahawks. As a columnist, I have a voice and a vehicle. It’s a privilege and responsibility I love and take very seriously.