Seahawks Insider
where there is no offseason

Eric D. Williams took over the Seahawks beat and Seahawks Insider blog in December. Williams has covered the Seahawks, Sonics and high school sports for The News Tribune since joining the paper in 2006. Eric lives in Tacoma with his wife and two children.

Tacoma News Tribune columnist Dave Boling also contributes to the Seahawks Insider blog.

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Seahawks Insider
Monday, July 7th, 2008
Posted by Darrin Beene @ 01:09:40 pm

From the Associated Press:

Seattle Seahawks linebacker Lofa Tatupu has pleaded guilty to a charge of driving under the influence.

After his plea Monday, Tatupu was sentenced by Kirkland Municipal Court Judge Michael Lambo to serve one day in jail and pay fines totaling $1,255.

Tatupu was arrested May 10 in Kirkland after he was pulled over for speeding and driving erratically.

At the police station two hours later, Tatupu registered 0.155 and 0.158 in breath test readings, nearly twice the state intoxication threshold of 0.08.

On March 25, the Seahawks had signed the third-year, 25-year-old Tatupu to a $42 million, six-year contract extension.

Categories: Answers to your questions 64 comments

COMMENTS:

Dukeshire @ 13:19 - Monday, July 7th, 2008 Email
That sentence seems to be in accordance with a first time offence, no special treatment. Get this behind him, focus on going forward with his career and for god's sake, don't make this mistake again.
Regis @ 13:30 - Monday, July 7th, 2008 Email
And now to see what the league hands down...
c_hawkbob @ 13:43 - Monday, July 7th, 2008 Email
Good on him for just owning up to it and getting on with things.
antediluvian @ 14:21 - Monday, July 7th, 2008 Email
Thank you Lofa for acknowledging your error and accepting the consequences.
GeeMan @ 14:43 - Monday, July 7th, 2008 Email
I guess Lofa hasn't attended the Warren Moon School of Deniability.
chuck_easton @ 15:10 - Monday, July 7th, 2008 Email
I don't see too much of a penalty from the league, at least suspension wise as this is a first offence.

I would expect the league to fine him a games pay. Given what Lofa makes per game, that will be one stiff penalty.
Dukeshire @ 17:04 - Monday, July 7th, 2008 Email
I don't quite get all the thank-yous and atta boys here. Did anyone really think he was going to take this to trial? He got pinched, he's dealing with it, moving on, this isn't anything to congratulate. Years from now, after he has has a great and long career (hopefully) we can look back say he learned from this. We all make mistakes, not making them again is key.
antediluvian @ 17:26 - Monday, July 7th, 2008 Email
Duke, I get what you;re saying, but let's look at the recent history of highly paid athletes pulled over for DUI. They rarely if ever simply plead guilty and accept the consequences. They plead innocent and deny all responsibility. This was at least a step in the right direction.
sfarrand @ 19:39 - Monday, July 7th, 2008 Email
I don't condone what he did to get in trouble... but I agree that he took it like a man... didn't make escuses and try to deny it... he just accepted it and the consequences... I also agree that the punishment appears to be in-line with what would be the normal first time offense...

Next step is to be the man and avoide this type of situation in the future... he makes enough to take a cab... or better yet simply avoid it...
snydro22 @ 21:22 - Monday, July 7th, 2008 Email
I guess Lofa hasn't attended the Warren Moon School of Deniability. - GeeMan


Classic..
moo @ 22:46 - Monday, July 7th, 2008 Email
"Comment by Dukeshire @ 13:19 - Monday, July 7th,
That sentence seems to be in accordance with a first time offence, no special treatment."

Actually, that's a fairly heavy sentence (somewhat depending on whether his license was suspended). Many first time offenders get sentenced to once a week at AA for a year or 2 rather then jail & fine.
gobo212 @ 23:46 - Monday, July 7th, 2008 Email
I think his license was revoked for like 90 days and he has to have to blow in a breathalyzer on his car for it to start for the next year. Why don't we make breathalyzers more widely available so people can see their BAC whenever they want? It might prevent some of these instances especially in cases where the driver is just buzzed but is still over the legal limit.
RichmondHawk @ 04:48 - Tuesday, July 8th, 2008 Email
You would think the one day in jail thing is a gimme. They probably counted the time he was arrested as one day so he's already served his time.
mquinn73 @ 05:10 - Tuesday, July 8th, 2008 Email
sfarrand - I couldn't have said it better myself... 100% in agreement with your comment & opinion.
Dukeshire @ 08:53 - Tuesday, July 8th, 2008 Email
Moo,

Not when they blow nearly twice the legal limit. As embarrassing as this is to admit, I got one several years ago and that was the exact sentence I recieved, and as you may know, I don't play for the Seahawks. My blood alcohol level was far less as well and if things are the same today as they were then, he will have to attend one meeting and an evaluation.
sharke @ 10:56 - Tuesday, July 8th, 2008 Email
Moo and Duke,
The court penalty has less to do with the breath test result, and everything to do with the guilty plea. The standard sentence for a guilty finding on a 1st offense is a day in jail and a fine. In addition, the DOL imposes an administrative suspension of the license under certain conditions; and the high breathalyzer reading is one of those conditions. Moo's reference to AA only (and by inference to other alc. school and probation) is seen only when a "deferred prosecution" is granted in lieu of a guilty plea, and is only offered to people with a legitimate problem.
Dukeshire @ 11:24 - Tuesday, July 8th, 2008 Email
"The court penalty has less to do with the breath test result, and everything to do with the guilty plea."

The court is under no obligation to adhere to the DA office when it comes to sentencing, it is a recomendation. However, in nearly every case, the minimum mandatory is used for a first offence, barring any extraordinary circumstances. A "deferred prosecution" is off the table when the defendent blows nearly twice the legal limit, almost always. Just because one pleads guilty doesn't mean one gets the minimun automaticlly. And rest assured, he will be recieving probation. A guilty plea does not waive that under any circumstances.
Dukeshire @ 11:29 - Tuesday, July 8th, 2008 Email
My spelling is good, oops.
tillman @ 16:07 - Tuesday, July 8th, 2008 Email
Great. After all of Ruskell's "character matters" speaches we have a MLB in jail and then on probation... love the way he plays LB but just dropped every amount of respect I have for the guy.

Did he think about spending $50 of those millions to not jeopardize everyone else on the road? Classic pro athlete thinking of noone else but himself.
firejimmoradotcom @ 08:40 - Wednesday, July 9th, 2008 Email
another Seahawk LB in the news....

http://seattlest.com/2008/07/08/but_can_he_save_our_mariners.php
RichmondHawk @ 02:46 - Thursday, July 10th, 2008 Email
"Did he think about spending $50 of those millions to not jeopardize everyone else on the road? Classic pro athlete thinking of noone else but himself."

Lofa's like 25 years old. Sometimes people aren't that mature at that age that's regardless if you're a pro athelete or not.
RichmondHawk @ 02:56 - Thursday, July 10th, 2008 Email
Congrats to Frank Hughes,

This one's for the haters out there. Bought a copy of Lindy's Pro Football 2008 Preview and read the Seahawks write-up and guess what? FH did the write-up, pretty generic but sums up the Hawks in 2008. Its interesting that the Hawks are given 5.5 for RB's though, worst in the nfl with Chicago coming in with 6. Ouch.
SharkHawk @ 16:02 - Thursday, July 10th, 2008 Email
Nice to see that Frank has time to freelance. No surprise considering he never writes anything of substance for this blog.
snydro22 @ 16:16 - Thursday, July 10th, 2008 Email
Pretty generic? I don't believe it ;)
nighthawk2 @ 22:39 - Thursday, July 10th, 2008 Email
Another slap on the wrist for another rich capitalist. He "accepeted the consequences"? WTF else is going to do. Yeah, that's really worth lining up to kiss his ass for.
Dukeshire @ 11:19 - Friday, July 11th, 2008 Email
"another rich capitalist" When did Karl Marx get here?
Gandalf @ 12:28 - Friday, July 11th, 2008 Email
We're in the pacific NW, throw a rock and 99% of the time you'll hit a liberal.
Orogenic @ 12:54 - Friday, July 11th, 2008 Email
Sorry Gandalf (the gray),
but I am getting sick of your pal Rossi on KJR.

Back to the Hawks.

As far as Lofa, I am satisfied. I would have preferred he had just gotten a cab, but nobody is perfect.

He is still the defensive leader, and I am guessing he will now have a growing motivation to prove himself, once again, on the field due to his off the field dui.

Other notes:
Vote, which person on this blog is going to take Julius Jones with their 1st or 2nd round pick in their fantasy drafts?

snydro22 @ 17:07 - Friday, July 11th, 2008 Email
If anyone would like to write the brass at The News Tribune to voice displeasure with anything regarding this site - the coverage, the page layout, the heading, Frank or anything else that you think could use some constructive criticism, these are the folks to write to:

david.zeeck@thenewstribune.com,

grace.ryan@thenewstribune.com,

karen.peterson@thenewstribune.com,

dale.phelps@thenewstribune.com,

paul.miller@thenewstribune.com,

rob.wieman@thenewstribune.com

Remember, as faithful readers, we have the right to express ourselves. After all, we are in fact the customers ;) and therefore we are always right!
firejimmoradotcom @ 17:22 - Friday, July 11th, 2008 Email
I think Frank rocks. He provides WAY more inside information than any other beat writer in town. In fact, if I recall, he even got a little scolding from Holmy for divulging TOO MUCH last season. Sando was just a pander-bear.

Yeah, they are gonna run a guy out of town based on the whining complaints of 4-5 punks. THAT'S gonna happen.

Besides its the last few weeks before a 6-month run without a day off. Give the guy a break.
snydro22 @ 00:00 - Saturday, July 12th, 2008 Email
Haha.. who are you?
SharkHawk @ 01:11 - Saturday, July 12th, 2008 Email
Frank, I'm glad to see you could drop in for 3 minutes during one of your monthly vacations to post.
Tyness @ 05:39 - Saturday, July 12th, 2008 Email
Open idea to whoever is minding the blog:

Since there's not much going on until camp, how about taking a page from Mike Meyers/Linda Richman? "Discuss amongst yourselves. I'll give you a topic . . ." Start a new post every couple of days just to give people something to do other than bitch about Frank. Maybe we give some ideas here and the current blog-master picks a couple.

I'll start. Given that we are rabid enough 'Hawks fans, it's a fair bet that we follow the NFL as a whole. I don't really have anyone around here to talk football with, so I come on the blog for my fix.

It's silly to discuss how the NFC West will finish. Rabid fanboys will say we finish 19-0. Trolls (and you know who you are) will say the entire team sucks and predict 0-16 as the worst team in the history of all professional sports.

We play the NFC and AFC East this year, so why not talk about those divisions. There's two posts right there. I say the NFC finishes as: Dallas, NY, Wash, Phil. If this post flys, I'll explain my logic.
snydro22 @ 11:32 - Saturday, July 12th, 2008 Email
It's been tried, Tyness.. I've tried to bring up discussions about the O-line or Special Teams and a few other things, but it doesn't work.. Unfortunately, most of the true Seahawks fans left when Sando left, and most of the readers who remain are casual fans to say the least.. There are a few of us who still hang onto hope that the Tribune will fire Frank and bring the blog back to life, but are numbers are shrinking.. If you want to talk real Seahawks football, head over to fieldgulls.com or seahawkaddicts.com..
snydro22 @ 11:36 - Saturday, July 12th, 2008 Email
*are=our*

Anyone see this article by a former News Tribune staffer?

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/index?entryID=3480761&name=clayton_john
wabubba68 @ 12:12 - Saturday, July 12th, 2008 Email
Frank or Darrin,

If Favre does get released (not traded, as we would inherit his huge contract), is there any thinking among Ruskell/Holmgren of bringing him in as a back-up to Hasselbeck and finally moving Wallace full-time to WR? Would Favre accept a back-up role even if it was with Holmgren and an offense that he is completely familiar with?

What's your take on this?
SharkHawk @ 13:43 - Saturday, July 12th, 2008 Email
Do you honestly think Brett Favre would take a backup job? Give me a break. The guy is such a whore for attention that he can't even stay retired up through training camp. He's like Michael Jordan.... just walk away man.
snydro22 @ 14:40 - Saturday, July 12th, 2008 Email
If Favre does get released (not traded, as we would inherit his huge contract), is there any thinking among Ruskell/Holmgren of bringing him in as a back-up to Hasselbeck and finally moving Wallace full-time to WR? Would Favre accept a back-up role even if it was with Holmgren and an offense that he is completely familiar with? - naivebubba68


Yeah! Great idea! Way to contribute!

*all time dumbest question award goes to.. drumroll please*
chuck_easton @ 10:10 - Sunday, July 13th, 2008 Email
I don't see it as the dumbest question as much as I see it as the standard "flavor of the week" kneejerk reaction.

Everytime a player gets cut, a playor wants a trade, or a player becomes a free agent in any way, that player instantly becomes the 'flavor of the week'.

"If we could just get INSERT PLAYER NAME HERE then we'd be set for the supberbowl. Do you think INSERT PLAYER NAME HERE would want to come to Seattle (even though we don't need anyone at that position)? Do you think Seattle is interested in INSERT PLAYER NAME HERE?"

Joe Montana could anounce he has decided to make a comeback and you'd have some people coming out and saying we should make a run at him, bench Hasselbeck, and we'd be SB bound.
nighthawk2 @ 23:45 - Sunday, July 13th, 2008 Email
""another rich capitalist" When did Karl Marx get here?"

You deny he's a rich capitalist and that rich capitalists get preference treatment? Especially rich capitalist sports stars (i.e. Leonard Little)? How's the weather on Mars? And Adolph, "liberal" is not a dirty word, no matter how much fascists like you try to make it so.
wabubba68 @ 11:25 - Monday, July 14th, 2008 Email
chuck_easton,

I'm not saying that Brett Favre is our answer to the Super Bowl. In fact, I said nothing regarding his potential to favorably impact this team with wins v. losses.

What I do find intriguing (if we could ever coax him into a back up role in Seattle), is his ability to help this team at two positions. We would have not only the best back up QB in the league, but it would also free up Wallace (who many believe is the best pure athlete on the team) to become a full time WR...at a position where desperately in need of a little help.

I was just wondering if Holmgren has the type of relationship with Favre where it would be even a remote possibility.

Snydro,

You're just a horse's ass and most (if not all) on this blog know it. (I almost feel guilty wasting the time and effort to state the painfully obvious.)
chuck_easton @ 12:22 - Monday, July 14th, 2008 Email
wabubba68,

There are a couple of glaring problems with your premise. Not that it would be a bad thing if it came about as you propose. But here are the flaws in the whole concept.

1) Brett has to come out of retirement (likely)
2) The Packers can then:
a) keep him, and name him either the starter or backup
b) release him and allow him to sign anywhere
c) trade him

Since #1 looks likely, lets deal with #2.

The Packers don't want Brett to come back, but if he does it's their mess.

They won't release Brett because he's got jut enough ego/pride that he'll immediately sign with either the Vikings or the Bears (likely the Vikings) so he can make the Packers pay. He definitely isn't coming out of retirement to be a backup, either in GB or for some other team. He'd never willingly sign with a team that wants him to be the backup.

So, the only way Seattle gets him is through a trade. If some team, let's say Seattle like you propose, trades for Favre and tries to relegate him to anything short of instant starter status, Brett just re-retires.

Even in the great game of 'what if' there has to be at least a realm of remote possibility. You'd have a better chance of winning the lottery than your suggestion. At least when I buy that lottery ticket I can fantasize about what I'm going to do with the money.

There is a big difference between fantasy and dilusion. Your idea would fall under the latter. Sorry.
SharkHawk @ 19:23 - Monday, July 14th, 2008 Email
Owen Schmitt signed a four year deal. Thanks to Seahawks.net for providing the info. Even when they are on vacation they can still find access to a computer.
STTBM @ 08:37 - Tuesday, July 15th, 2008
Hey, being a liberal has abso-freakin'-lutley NOTHING to do with being a Marxist. Nighthawk claims to be a Marxist, and is ranting about capitalism, but that doesnt make him a liberal either. Marxism is as far from being a liberal as it is from being a conservative, if not more so.

Nighthawk--while professional athletes and other wealthy folks get preferential treatment (at least by being able to afford better legal representation) in the courts, I highly doubt its because they court says to themselves "hmmm...lets see, this guy is obviously a capitalist--we'll cut him a break. Oh, this dude is obviously a Marxist, lets hammer him".

You sound like some recently converted rich-boy trustafari who just figured out how to think. If you dont like that analogy, then dont resemble it. Go back to your earlier almost snydro or bobbyk-like comments--before you lost your marbles---at least they were interesting.
STTBM @ 08:42 - Tuesday, July 15th, 2008
You really should read a couple different dictionary definitions of "Facism" before you tag someone with that insult. It isnt a term that should be bandied about loosely and slapped on every run-of-the-mill, inside-the-box thinker who disagrees with you. Doing that just waters down the meaning and power of the word Facism...which really should be a crime.

Owen Schmitt is gonna be fun to watch in preseason! OOOOOHHHHH....Schmitt!!!!!!
egunn @ 12:27 - Tuesday, July 15th, 2008 Email
Favre I believe with be playing for Mike Shanahan in Denver. Denver isn't a very good team. Cutler is inexperienced. Denver is desperate for wins. Favre is familar with Shanahan's west coast offense. Shanahan also gave Steve Young a chance to start in Denver.
bobbyk03 @ 15:00 - Tuesday, July 15th, 2008 Email
Not sure what I wrote on this page to get bashed by STTBM.

Hey, if it was things I've written about in the past and they are good enough to bash me for --- then maybe we should talk about the ice fisherman some more (please, no!)...
the3mitchells @ 15:20 - Tuesday, July 15th, 2008 Email
Ok I have stuck up for the blog in the past, and Frank!!! But for heavens sake come on, post something for heavens sake. Is there only one guy works at the paper, there is loads of news out there.....this sucks....

Still.....

Go hawks..........
the3mitchells @ 15:23 - Tuesday, July 15th, 2008 Email
How about signing Chris Henry....hes turned over a new leaf....he is innocent I tell you, give him a chance Timmy......

And between him and Rocky we could have the best tag team ass kickers in the league
SharkHawk @ 21:36 - Tuesday, July 15th, 2008 Email
I am on vacation and I had time to post that Schmitt was signed. I didn't even get paid for it. The best part is.... I did it from my phone. Amazing what you can do with a little technology and desire now-a-days.
SeanCarney @ 00:49 - Wednesday, July 16th, 2008 Email
Im officialy on Snydro's bandwagon, Just as Soulja boy killed Hip-Hop. Frank has killed the Blog, there i said it.
STTBM @ 06:41 - Wednesday, July 16th, 2008
bobbyk--I wasnt bashing you. You tend to rant and are kinda caustic. I have been guilty of the same, just not as much. And no more Ice Fisherman...may he break a leg...
SharkHawk @ 14:49 - Wednesday, July 16th, 2008 Email
Seahawks Insider... where it's always the offseason.
Dukeshire @ 15:55 - Wednesday, July 16th, 2008 Email
Frank was on a local Portland sports talk the other morning, talking about the 'Hawks. If you think what he writes here is uninformative, you should have gotten a load of that. He was trying to talk about how the "culture" has changed since Ruskell got here, absolutely nothing of substance. Of course, he knows nothing about football so my expectations were sky high. He was disinterested when he took over a year ago and has gotten worse. The Trib. needs to get rid of this blog or find someone who is, at least, competent.
BobbyK @ 16:13 - Wednesday, July 16th, 2008 Email
sttbm - gotcha...
snydro22 @ 18:56 - Wednesday, July 16th, 2008 Email
wabubba68,

You've repeatedly tried to bait me ever since you got here, time and time again.. Am I wrong? You've called me names MORE than once..

This is actually the first time I've ever responded directly to one of your posts and I imagine you got off on that in some way.. I felt the need to respond to this one because your post was ONCE AGAIN completely misinformed, foolish, naive, nonsensical (I could go on, you know).. You keep finding new and creative ways to look stupid.. You don't know the first thing about sports.. You've shown that to be QUITE true on the Mariners blog.. Saying that someone who hit 31 HR and had 115 RBI was no good is just stupid (Phil Plantier, 1993 San Diego Padres), but I digress - Just shut up already.. Stop fantasizing about me and constantly bringing me up because it's just plain creepy.. You may think that everyone on this blog despises me but it's simply not true.. There are just as many people who agree with me as there are those who disagree.. There aren't many people who dislike me because I was rude to them because I simply don't stoop to that level, except when an annoying little pest like yourself develops a hard-on for me and won't leave me alone.. Get over it.. Take a prozac and try meeting a girl or something, or a boy, whatever floats your fairy boat..
BobbyK @ 19:06 - Wednesday, July 16th, 2008 Email
Let's start a new post...

Everyone who is on this site can rank their favorite Seahawks of all-time...

TOP 10

1. Kenny Easley
2. Steve Largent
3. Matt Hasselbeck
4. Curt Warner
5. Walter Jones (Walt should be ahead of Warner, but when you're a kid - things just seem cooler and the players more mythical and the memories are better)
6. Mack Strong
7. John L Williams
8. Steve Hutchinson (this is MY list, not yours... many other great Seahawks never helped our team to a Super Bowl)
9. Dave Kreig
10. Jacob Green

Honorable Mention - Tez, Joe Nash... and more, but I'm lazy and don't feel like thinking anymore...
SharkHawk @ 19:27 - Wednesday, July 16th, 2008 Email
I'm doing 5 D and 5 O.

D
1. Kenny Easley
2. Cortez Kennedy
3. Rufus Porter
4. Jacob Green
5. Michael Sinclair

O
1. Shaun Alexander
2. Curt Warner
3. Steve Largent
4. Mack Strong
5. House Ballard
BobbyK @ 20:39 - Wednesday, July 16th, 2008 Email
Good 'ol Rufus.

If you've got House on your list, where's Nate Odoms? They both came from Buffalo in the same off-season:) Good thing Ballard didn't play basketball.
Dukeshire @ 09:20 - Thursday, July 17th, 2008 Email
Special Teams: Bobby Joe Edmonds, Efferan Herrera, Plack. (already)
STTBM @ 16:30 - Thursday, July 17th, 2008
1. Largent
2. Kreig
3. Tez
4. John L.
5. Warner
6. Easley
7. Mack Strong
8. Paul Skansi
9. Engram
10. Rufus Porter
11. Big Walt
12. Eugene Robinson (despite his mondo screwup)
13. Jacob Green
14. Joe Nash & Jeff Bryant
15. Zorn
16. Knox
STTBM @ 16:33 - Thursday, July 17th, 2008
Special Teams All-time:

1. Bobby Joe
2. Fredd Young (He hit a guy so hard once, he knocked him out of his shoe, and all the guy could do was lay on the ground for 10 minutes, moving his other foot from side to side...)
3. Josh Scobey (best gunner EVER)
4. Norm Johnson (Should be in the Hall of Fame)
5. Rick Bootin' Tuten
6. Michael Bates
snydro22 @ 19:07 - Thursday, July 17th, 2008 Email
1. Largent

2. Walt

3. Cortez

4. Hass

5. Easley

6. Brown

7. Green

8. Tatupu

9. Strong

10. Porter

BobbyK @ 21:36 - Thursday, July 17th, 2008 Email
Do any of you remember the crazy Michael Bates play when the Hawks played at Detroit somewhere around the late 80s or early 90s...

The Hawks kicked off and Bates hit the returner so hard that he flipped over and fumbled and Bates still had the presence of mind to come back and recover the ball? I think he got down the field so fast that he hit the runner around the 5 yard line.

In all of my years of watching football, that is probably the best individual special teams play that I've ever seen.

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