Tatupu, Seahawks part ways

RENTON, Wash. – First Matt Hasselbeck was told his decade at quarterback of the Seattle Seahawks was over.

Now it’s middle linebacker Lofa Tatupu being shown the door, leaving the Seahawks with just two remaining members of their Super Bowl team from six seasons ago.

Tatupu was cut by Seattle on Sunday morning after the Seahawks defensive captain reportedly declined to restructure his contact. A team spokesman confirmed that Tatupu and the organization “mutually parted ways.”

He leaves after anchoring the middle of Seattle’s defense for most of six seasons, including three Pro Bowl appearances. He played a major role in taking the Seahawks to their only Super Bowl appearance, following his rookie season in 2005.

It certainly wasn’t a simple decision for Seattle coach Pete Carroll. Tatupu played for Carroll at USC and raved about the importance of having Tatupu on his defense from the second he returned to the NFL with the Seahawks.

But Tatupu, 28, has struggled with injuries the past few seasons and his production has declined. He missed most of 2009 after tearing a pectoral muscle. Last year he played in all 16 games, but his 88 tackles were the lowest of his career in a full season and he needed surgery on both knees in the offseason.

Now Seattle is trying to replace both its offensive and defensive leaders.

David Hawthorne will likely move back to inside linebacker after shifting outside last season. Hawthorne took Tatupu’s place after he was injured in 2009 and led Seattle in tackles each of the last two seasons. Leroy Hill – who re-signed earlier this week to a one-year deal and joins cornerback Marcus Trufant as the only remaining members from Seattle’s Super Bowl team – could get the first shot at outside linebacker.