Losing a Hall of Fame caliber player from the defense is a tough blow for a team to recover from. The Seattle Seahawks have lost two in just the secondary alone, and are playing without a third while Earl Thomas continues to hold out.

That is a tough situation for the new players to adjust to. Fortunately, one of the veterans remaining has taken on a much-needed leadership role in the secondary.

“(Bradley) McDougald, he’s really smart,” coach Ken Norton commented on Monday. “He really does a great job of getting everybody on the same page and making sure that the coverages are right, the checks are right, and the formations (and) all the things match up. He’s really bright.”

McDougald is entering his sixth NFL season and his second with the Seahawks. He played in all 16 games for Seattle last year, starting nine. He had 67 combined tackles and four passes defended, rotating at both safety spots and even playing some cornerback.

Now, as one of the more experienced players in the secondary, McDougald has taken on yet another role: vocal leader.

“He was vocal last year, but he’s way more vocal this year,” fellow safety Tedric Thompson commented. “He’s talking to all of the DB’s and he’s setting a good example. He’s never late to a meeting, always one of the first one’s in there. He’s setting a good example for everybody.”

McDougald will be counted on to play strong safety this season, a position he admits to feeling more comfortable in. He will likely be flanked by Thompson, with Delano Hill and Mo Alexander in the mix as well.

McDougald’s leadership skills will be pivotal for a young secondary that has seen their identity change dramatically from a year ago.