RENTON, Wash. — You can’t do it in a classroom or in the office, but you can certainly do it on the football field.
And that is what the Seahawks intend to do to the 49ers Sunday in the NFC Championship Game.
“I think we can bully whoever we want to bully,’’ safety Earl Thomas said. “It’s about us. It’s about a mind-set. When you have a mind-set of you’re not going to let anything get in your way, you’re determined, nothing, you know. You just step over and keep going.’’
These sure sound like the words of a menacing defensive end or a fearsome linebacker, but no, the threatening sentiment comes from a guy who stands (barely) 5-foot-10 and has to eat more than salmon from Seattle’s Pike Place Market to get up over 200 pounds. But that’s the way these Seahawks are, sort of built backwards, a defense that is solid up front but mightiest on the back end, where each member of the self-proclaimed Legion of Boom secondary has a special mat in front of his locker to signify he’s part of the biggest and baddest bunch around.
They play, they talk (oh, how they can talk), they hit, they get the ball, they get under the skin of opposing receivers. Three of the four starters were selected to the Pro Bowl — the third for Thomas, the second for hulking safety Kam Chancellor and the first for eloquent cornerback Richard Sherman. The other starter is cornerback Byron Maxwell, who has been just fine filling in for suspended Brandon Browner.
It’s the best defensive backfield in the league and there probably isn’t a close second. The Seahawks had an NFL-high 28 interceptions, they allowed only 16 touchdown passes all season (only the Titans allowed fewer) and opposing quarterbacks compiled a league-low rating of 63.4 trying in vain to throw at this gifted foursome.
This unit is so tight, Chancellor says,“the movements are just right, you can feel each other on the field.’’ Those movements will be directed at 49ers receivers Anquan Boldin and Michael Crabtree and tight end Vernon Davis in a battle that hits the field for the third time this season, with passage to Super Bowl XLVIII as the ticket these NFC West rivals crave.
The tune-up played out according to form. In last week’s divisional playoff game, the Seahawks feasted on Drew Brees and the Saints and it wasn’t until too little, too late any New Orleans receiver did any real damage.
“It’s a totally different offense and totally different scheme, two totally different quarterbacks,’’ Thomas said, comparing the Saints to the 49ers. “[San Francisco has] a more physical, downhill attack, and we definitely have to have our big boy pants on this week.’’
For all the animosity inherent in this feud, those in the Seattle secondary actually have great respect for the way the 49ers come at them.
“I like that team just because it’s a challenge,’’ said Chancellor, who presents his own challenge at a linebacker-sized 6-3 and 232 pounds.
All this Legion of Boom publicity comes from Sherman, the Stanford-educated corner with the dreadlocks and gift of gab.
“I think [he’s] the brains,’’ Thomas said. “He’s so smart. Everything he says he’s doing it for a reason. Because really and truly, he’s the first person to get everybody to catch everybody’s eyes about LOB or Seattle, period, I believe. So he’s done a great thing for us. He’s put us where everybody’s watching and wanting us to be the bad guys and wanting us to give up explosive plays and most of the time we prove them wrong.’’
Thomas might be the best safety in the league, comparing favorably to Troy Polamalu and Ed Reed in their primes. Chancellor likens himself to the late Sean Taylor, a true strong safety in every sense of the position. Sherman is a fifth-round pick and won’t let anyone forget it and is so physical with receivers that he all-but dares officials to throw a flag on every play.
It all adds up to the best part of the Seahawks.
“You kind of sit back and watch film like, ‘golly, we’re tied on a string,’ ’’ Thomas said. “Everybody’s on their role, they’re into it, and we’re in sync. We’re in a good place right now as a whole defense.’’
That place might not be a good place for the 49ers.