Lofa Tatupu, Former Seattle Seahawks Linebacker

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Download the Odyssey app today. Lofa, how you been? Yeah, buddy. I'm happy to talk about both of those because I think we're currently in first place in both of our divisions. Yeah.

I'm great. So let me start you off with this game going on right now between Tennessee and Green Bay. Tennessee's up 7-6 as the Titans are marching down the field once again.

Whenever you watch the Titans, it is holy smokes. Derek Henry's a battering ram and he's so tough to tackle. Who was the guy when you went up against in the NFL, you being a linebacker, when you went up against a running back that you knew it was just going to be a nightmare to try to bring that guy down? Every time I get asked this question, it always goes back to the great Fred Taylor. Fred Savage, man. That guy was, he could run you over, he could run by you, open field. He had a crazy hop step and then like a spin move off of it. So it was just like, you know, what are you going to do?

So you just have to hit it full steam and hope you hit. And then how about in college when you had to go up in practice against Reggie Bush? And I'm sure you weren't allowed to touch Reggie, right? Well, I mean, I couldn't touch Reggie.

I mean, I had to get a hold of him before I could hit him. But yeah, going against him every day, he made me better him. Landale White, you know, we had a bunch of great running backs. And then even in the division, played the likes of Marshawn Lynch, you know, beast mode. But you know, the guy I had battles with, not just in college, but then all the way up into the NFL, as we were drafted to the same division, was Oregon State's Steven Jackson. Man, he was a monster. Yeah, no doubt about that.

Lofotetupu here with us on the Zach Gelb show. You were in Germany last week for the game, right? I think so, man.

I don't even know what day it is right now. That was some environment, though. Like, I was just seeing the videos and the crowd that was singing.

That was unbelievable. It was a whole thing. I mean, I think the coolest thing was just walking around all week. I got to be there for five days. You know, we went to a bunch of the parties and just talked football and, you know, had some signs. We were cheersing to say cheers in German is post.

So I learned some German while I was out there. But it was the coolest thing. You saw every single team, you know, every single NFL organization was represented with jerseys, merchandise. So the game's big out there, man. I know it wasn't the outcome that the Hawks fans wanted, but it was quite the experience. Yeah, no doubt about it. But still, this team at six and four, they've been such a special team this year, and they were left for dead. What has impressed you the most, really, about this team this year on what's been a very likable and enjoyable team when you watch the Seahawks? Oh, it's been incredible, man. You know, expectations weren't high, right?

You know, I think everybody picked us to finish last in our division. But, you know, Geno is obviously the feel-good, amazing comeback story that everybody, you know, loves to talk about because he's been playing lights out. He had a rough first half last game but came back two touchdowns, 240 yards.

It was vintage Geno. All we've seen of him this season. And, you know, so I would say that is one of the biggest highlights. And then, also, this rookie class, you know, to find five quality starters, you know, in any draft is unheard of. These guys aren't just starting, but they're also contributing, you know, both of those tackles. To start at that position in the trenches is tough.

And then the other position that really started that's tough right away is cornering. You know, Kobe Bryant, Tariq Woolen. Kobe leading the league in sacks, or he was amongst the leaders. And then Woolen now with five interceptions, I think he just tied Earl Thomas' record.

And then I haven't even talked about K9, Kenneth Walker. Unbelievable. Your game got, you know, kind of out of hand early, 14-0 deficit.

So, we couldn't really run the ball as much as we wanted to. But he's been something to watch, man. I knew he was tough from watching him at Michigan State. I didn't know he was that fast. Like, he's got breakaway speed.

Lofotatupu here with us. So, you played for Pete Carroll in college, in the NFL towards the end. And then you coached with him as well. What is it about Pete? Because this seems personal this year with all the things that were being said about him and Russell Wilson and that divorce. This is really a locker room that you could tell is motivated and is playing for their head football coach right now.

I mean, here's something I'll say about Pete. He had a dynasty at USC. And it only took two or three years, right? Before we were in the national championship.

He goes on to the NFL. And, you know, I was on that team in 2010. And we had so many moving parts. We lost a lot of guys in the free agency.

A lot of guys just moved on, right? So, he took that team. And even though we were only 7-9, we went straight to the division.

A team that nobody gave a chance. They were like, oh, they were 5-11 the year before. They're not going to be that much better that year.

We were a couple games better. But so many moving parts, it was tough to get the team chemistry. But then that next year, they built through the draft in those two years. And with all those draft picks, I got to expect that he's going to go right back. Him and John are going to go right back to the formula that landed that previous Legion of Boom dynasty. With Marshawn Lynch, Russ, you know, and all those big pieces that contributed to a Super Bowl run.

A Super Bowl win and then another run the next year. You were there as a coach in the aftermath of that Super Bowl. Did you sense that tension? Because now you see a lot of the former Seahawks players on that defense.

It seems like actively rooting against Russell Wilson. Was that tension between the defense and Russ, you know, that evident when you were there? You know, I didn't really sense any tension. They're all Alphas and competitors, right? And, you know, the spotlight can only shine so bright on, you know, each person. And so I think maybe that has something to do with it. I don't think it was, you know, any ill will. But it's just the grass is not always greener on the other side as we're finding out. And, you know, I don't think, you know, that had anything to do with the years.

I mean, the defense started to age and we were really putting a lot on Russ to carry the team. And that's really what quarterbacks when they come in, you know, they win a Super Bowl early. They're not.

They're way underpaid, but they do get a lot of credit. And then now it comes time. It's like, OK, we're going to put it all on your shoulders.

You've got to go out and work for us. And you did for many years. But, you know, I think it was really time for a reboot from both sides, not just ours, but also Russ's, you know? Yeah, but Russ has to be regretting this now because if this team you have DK Metcalf, you got Tyler Lockett. They end up drafting Kenneth Walker and now you're in Denver. And that roster, they have a good defense, but offensively, they don't got much.

No, you're right. And I mean, he lost a receiver in free season. He lost a receiver like the first couple of weeks or just just a couple weeks ago, lost Booker or the tailback Williams. Yeah, Javonte. Javonte. You lost him.

Lost his starting left tackle. So, I mean, but again, this is also why why we paid you, because we're expecting you to just keep us above water. Even when things like this happen. So it's been tough, especially with that. He's got a really good defense playing for over there. I mean, they haven't really surrendered many points.

Well, not not getting many. So it's I got to believe he'll turn it around, he'll figure it out. I did see him come out the other day and say, I have to play better.

Now, that is something I have not seen before. And that's probably because he's always played well over here. But I'm just saying, taking that ownership goes a long way in the locker room on both sides of the ball, not just the offensive guys that are out there battling with you, but the defense that's out there producing, too. Now, he's only 33, so he's still got some good years left in him, but not everyone could play into their 40s.

Is there at all that thought? I know you said you think he could turn it around and we always talk for years. Let Russ cook, let Russ cook. Maybe Russ is just cooked and the end is a little bit nearer, especially with what Pete's evaluation was willing to let him go.

I'm going to give a guy that had the fastest wins, fastest to 100 wins, the benefit of the doubt. He's a gamer. And I think, you know, he was, you know, he's got that lat injury. And I think he's probably getting just getting over that now and then. And so, you know, not to make excuses for him, but I mean, from what I've seen on the field in years past, it leads me to believe, OK, it's a down year. And I mean, I know he got hurt last year with that nasty finger injury, but I don't think he's done, you know, at all. I feel like Russ is going to write his own script. It's going to, you know, I don't want to I don't want to see it because with every draft pick, every loss, a draft that gets better in opposition.

But, you know, there you still root for the guy because of all he means to the community. You think Gino's back next year for the Seahawks and they draft someone to ultimately replace him? Like, how do you think that plays out this offseason?

That's the question I began the most lately. And I really think this bye week gave, you know, John and Pete and all the offensive coaches time to really look at the small sample size. It's half a season. But just the way the guys are responding to him, you know, like these tackles have been phenomenal. Both, you know, running past a lot. But Gino getting rid of the ball in a timely fashion has also, you know, not made them really strain out there like you would if you're holding on to the ball. And I mean, I just can't go back and say enough about Gino and what he's been doing. He's one of the fastest mental processes I've ever seen in terms of recognizing the coverage, getting rid of the ball.

And that's why, you know, the machine's running. And he was really early on when the run game was struggling. He was opening up alleys for the run game like he was getting people out of eight man front and then forcing them to go to two high. So we could open up on lane.

So I just go back to that. I think you really do have to address it because with every win, the price tag just keeps going up. And I think a two or three year deal, you know, I don't know, like 20, 25.

You could get an expensive a couple of weeks ago was probably at 15, 17 a year. And he's probably happy with it because he knows he can make a run at a title with what they put around him. But now, I mean, we let this go anymore.

It's going to be pricey. And he might not after all the years he's been sitting, he might not want to, you know, sit and bet on himself and go test for the agency. So, but you're right. Quarterbacks have not been playing, not a ton of them. You know, even the early draft picks have been playing excellent out the gate.

So this is an opportunity for someone to sit behind and learn. And then just, you know, as soon as, you know, is ready to move on a couple of years from now, then you put them into the office. How good can this team be this year? Like, what do you think the ceiling is for this Seahawks team?

Okay. I'll say I'll go as far as NFC championship. I'll go divisional NFC championship because they, they're so young that they don't know any better, but they're so young that they lack experience is why I will say playoff, you know, one and done.

So it's really, I, I can't put my finger on it right now. I think they get to, you know, as long as they keep this momentum going, we stay healthy. That's another thing we really have been lucky other than Jamal with the quad early on. We've been pretty healthy and we've made it through while a lot of the NFC West has been banged up. And so, you know, it's, I'm going to go, I'm going to go divisional at least. Yeah, I think they're going to win the division because the 49ers, they have more talent. We know that, but it just doesn't seem like the 49ers have been playing consistent football this year.

Absolutely. And they've been, you know, Deebo was in and out of the lineup. Kittle missed our first game. I mean, they rolled us in the first game, but Gino didn't have the full playback or autonomy to change in audible at the line of scrimmage.

So, you know, you really didn't get to see what he was capable of, but you know, Kenneth Walker didn't have a big role in that game either. So, you know, they both teams are going to look drastically different when they match up again. I think it's a Thursday night match up in December.

Lofotetupu here with us. So with USC, we know it's going to be, can you win out? And then will they get into it? The four teams remaining in the college football playoff, big game against UCLA, then a big game against Notre Dame. With what you've seen so far in your number one with Lincoln Riley, you got to feel right that USC is inching closer and closer to being back, right?

Oh, absolutely. I mean, for a first year and to be ranked in the top ten, I know it's not the end of the season, but big matchup. You know, I'm not rooting for UCLA last week when they were playing Zona, but come on, man, you can't lose that game for us. Because that just weakens our strike to schedule. So, of course, they didn't want to do us any favors coming into this one, right? But, you know, can we get to the playoffs?

It's going to take some help. You know, we're going to have to see LSU or somebody else drop. I think Georgia, you know, right now, if they do play LSU in the SEC championship, I think they beat them.

I don't think it's really a game if they face them in the championship. But we got a ways to go, a couple more recruiting classes, and I think we'll be back to where we were in the early 2000s, as long ago as that was, wow. Do you like the move to the Big Ten? I don't mind it just because I knew it was creating super conferences, it's going to expand the playoff field.

That's really where it was heading to. So, you know, I would have liked closer games, but I've always wanted to go see, you know, the Big House, what else, Happy Valley. So I plan on doing some traveling to some of these away games. Hey, by the way, talking about traveling, right before COVID hit, I was supposed to go out to Seattle. We were going to go to a Seahawks game together, and then the whole world shut down. So I'm going to have to make my way out back to the 12th man, and then you come over here and we'll go to a college football game together. Man, done. You let me know, Zach.

You got it. So zone in CBD. Tell me all the latest with your company. Oh, yeah, man, just changing lives. I mean, it's just the magic stuff that put me back together, you know, after six years. I only played six years because of 10 surgeries, 15 concussions, and I feel better than I was when I was making the All-Pro. So, you know, zone in CBD.

Find out at zoneincbd.com. And, yeah, let's get that health and wellness regimen going. All these years removed. What's that one lasting memory that you have from your NFL career where you were a first team All-Pro and a three-time Pro Bowler?

Nothing. I mean, getting drafted was, you know, one of the greatest days of my life because it's something you dream about since you were a kid and just hearing your name called. But then the NFC Championship, man, I mean, the place was absolutely rocking. I think we were underdogs at home to a Carolina team, and, you know, we took it to them, man.

We were just ready. And I was hoping that was going to be our year and, you know, just didn't quite finish the last game the way we wanted to. And Sean Alexander was just unbelievable that year. Yeah, 28 rushing touchdowns. He was insane.

This is what I love talking about that season. 1888 rushing yards. He didn't play the second half of four games because we were up by so much. And we've had Sean on a bunch, and I know his career was so quick, but for a running back, you know, it's so tough to go play 11, 12 years. The fact that that guy's not in the Hall of Fame is just ridiculous. Well, he just got, I know, I agree with you. I mean, he has 100 rushing touchdowns.

I don't know a ton of guys that have that. 112 or 113 touchdowns overall, so he had 12 more receiving. And, you know, just if you look back at his body of work, I know it was a short window, but it was mad. I mean, still talking about him because of it. Yeah, what was it like going up against him in practice? We weren't allowed to touch Sean either. He was like another quarterback.

Don't touch my running back and don't touch my quarterback. And I was like, all right, coach, all right. Loafatutupu, great to catch up with you. I know it's been a while. We appreciate the time as always. Thank you. All right, Zach.

Be blessed, brother. So my biggest fear is there's going to be sneaks in the toilet. We're all afraid of that one strange thing. I'm Larry Mullins, the host of a new short 10-minute podcast called Your Weirdest Fears. We unpack where these fears come from. A rat climbed into my toilet.

And learn how to manage them. Listen and subscribe to Your Weirdest Fears on the Odyssey app or wherever you get your podcasts. Football season is here. The new Odyssey app lets you stay connected to your NFL team, your station, your shows. Follow your favorite stations and come back again and again. Get real-time updates on everything you care about.

Miss your show? Jump back to their awesome rewind feature. The Odyssey app is NFL football. Live and on demand, wherever you are, whenever you want. And did we mention it's all free? Download the Odyssey app today.

Football season is here. The new Odyssey app lets you stay connected to your NFL team, your station, your shows. Follow your favorite stations and come back again and again. Get real-time updates on everything you care about.

Miss your show? Jump back to their awesome rewind feature. The Odyssey app is NFL football. Live and on demand, wherever you are, whenever you want. And did we mention it's all free? Download the Odyssey app today.