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Seahawks safety Earl Thomas spent much of last offseason rehabbing from shoulder surgery, something that he says kept him from getting into the best possible shape for the 2015 season.

Thomas never missed a game last season, but was critical of some performances and told John Clayton on 710 ESPN there were “a lot of mental battles with my shoulder” over the course of the year. During his interview with Clayton, Thomas said he has found it easier this year to “get my lungs prepared to really run and hit” during offseason practices.

He’ll use that lung capacity in his customary role as the leader of the Seahawks defense, although his on-field role will be a bit different than it has been in past years.

“I think they’re giving me more and more freedom just to roam back there and see what I see. Most of the time I know where the ball is going,” Thomas said. “Me and [defensive coordinator Kris Richard] kind of butt heads about me taking too many chances sometimes but I’ve got to stick to my guns. And we’re getting a better relationship with that but most of all, they let me roam, let me be myself, let me play with personality back there. And I’m having fun.”

Thomas said he felt the defense has improved its depth this offseason through the draft and by bringing back old friends Brandon Browner and Chris Clemons. Having those two back has reminded Thomas why the Seahawks defense was “so dominant in the first place” and having Thomas back to being 100 percent healthy on the field won’t hurt their chances of getting back there again.