All-Pro Tatupu has career day

PHILADELPHIA – Deon Grant wasn’t giving Lofa Tatupu any credit Sunday afternoon. Not after the stunt he pulled on the Philadelphia Eagles’ final offensive play.

“He took that last interception from me,” Grant said with mock anger, “so I’m kind of upset with Lofa right now.”

That was the only complaint anyone in the Seattle Seahawks’ locker room had in the performance of their Pro Bowl middle linebacker on Sunday. With a game-high 11 tackles and three interceptions, including one on Philadelphia’s final play to cement a 28-24 victory, Tatupu was not getting much criticism from his teammates or coaches.

“He’s the leader of the defense, and he’s out there making it happen,” added cornerback Marcus Trufant.

And head coach Mike Holmgren, who has seen a few games during his 22-year career as a head coach and NFL assistant, was gushing like a love-struck teenager.

“Lofa Tatupu,” he said, “had one of the great games that I have ever seen a linebacker play.”

Yes, it was that kind of afternoon for the 25-year-old linebacker. His first two interceptions set up Seahawks touchdowns, and his final one broke the Eagles’ backs. Everything went his way on Sunday afternoon.

Tatupu dropped into coverage over the middle on the opening play of the game and was in perfect position for A.J. Feeley’s first pass, catching the ball and returning it 33 yards to the Philadelphia 18. Four plays later, Shaun Alexander scored on a 2-yard run to open the scoring.

The Eagles’ third offensive possession came to an end in similar fashion. Another Feeley pass over the middle hit Tatupu on the numbers, and this time the middle linebacker rambled 49 yards before offensive lineman Shawn Andrews hammered him at the Philadelphia 8.

Three plays after that, Seahawks receiver Bobby Engram was in the end zone for another score.

Less than seven minutes into the game, Tatupu had set up two touchdowns with interceptions.

But his most important play would not come until 59 minutes and 46 seconds of game clock had elapsed.

After the Eagles had put themselves in position to win the game with a long Brian Westbrook punt return, Tatupu scored the hat trick by snagging another badly-thrown Feeley pass with 14 seconds to go. Tatupu ran only a few yards before sliding to the turf to secure the four-point victory.