Good morning. Here’s my column on new Seahawks guard Deuce Lutui. What an interesting guy. I suspect he was somewhat of a villain to Seahawks fans when he played for the Cardinals. It seemed he was always going after linebacker Lofa Tatupu, his old USC teammate. But he’s a very community-involved and thoughtful man who has powered through some grave challenges in his life and career. That he has gotten himself in impressive condition speaks to his motivation.

Coach Pete Carroll loves his spirit and his locker-room presence. His on-field effect should be even more positive. Right now, he's slotted behind John Moffitt at right guard. Consider this is a guy with 72 NFL starts now available for fill-in duty. The quality of O-line depth is one of the unnoticed upgrades for this team. And Lutui is a big part of it.

From NFL.com: Former Seahawks exec Mickey Loomis now will oversee the New Orleans Hornets as well as the Saints as Saints owner Tom Benson recently purchased the NBA team. Let the bounty jokes begin.

Commentators for SI.com debate the effects of replacement refs in the NFL. I thought the refs, the “real” refs, struggled all year to give consistent enforcement of the new safety points of emphasis. To me, it felt as if players were never quite sure what would be called from week to week. Whatever degree of understanding was developed as the season went on could be lost with replacement refs.

Clare Farnsworth of Seahawks.com takes a look at the newly bargained rule that does not allow players to workout at their team’s facilities during this dead period leading into training camp. Coach Pete Carroll, of course, is not a fan.

ON 710ESPN radio. Brock and Salk, along with ESPN NFC West blogger Mike Sando discuss the on-going Chris Clemons situation.