Josh Freeman vs. Seahawks MLB David Hawthorne First the bad news: Like the Panthers and Jets before them, the Seahawks have a middle linebacker. His name is David Hawthorne. Now the good news: Hawthorne doesn't wear No. 52. Middle linebackers wearing that number have terrorized Bucs QB Josh Freeman the past two weeks, accounting for three of the eight interceptions he's thrown during that span. Freeman does have to worry about Hawthorne, though, and he needs to concern himself with being intercepted after falling into some bad habits in recent weeks. Freeman will be aided today by a game plan that leans more on players around him to get the ball down the field and into the end zone, but it's up to Freeman to erase the biggest mistakes from his game. He needs to stop locking in on one receiver, pump fake more and work through all of his progressions. Stylez G. White vs. Seahawks LT Sean Locklear White is trying to prove he's good enough to hold on to the starting job he inherited when the Bucs unloaded Gaines Adams just before the trade deadline. So far, he's doing a pretty good job. He has 6.5 sacks on the year despite making only five starts. He probably will need to reach double digits to keep the Bucs from drafting or signing a replacement. White has a good chance today to move closer to his goal. The potential is there for White to dominate his matchup with Locklear. The edge White figures to have is comfort level. He's a natural right end, whereas Locklear is more suited to play right tackle and is a little out of his element working the left side. The Seahawks have given up a lot of sacks this year. If the Bucs can keep the pressure on, someone will get through for a takedown. The best bet is White. Antonio Bryant vs. Seahawks CB Marcus Trufant The Bucs have faced plenty of blitzes the past couple weeks. That trend is likely to continue today. The Seahawks have blitzed quite a lot lately, and they are sure to throw a few at Bucs rookie QB Josh Freeman. That could leave Seahawks corner Marcus Trufant alone in coverage, a situation Trufant has not necessarily excelled in this year. Though Trufant has long since established himself as the one of the league's better corners, he has struggled to stay out of trouble this year, earning five pass interference and three holding or illegal contact penalties. Bryant is a handful for any defensive back, so he could coax Trufant into a penalty or two. Freeman has made no secret of his desire to get the ball to Bryant in recent weeks, even forcing several balls his way. It will be up to Bryant to put some distance between him and Trufant or outfight him for the ball in big-play scenarios. The Tampa Tribune 20 December 2009