The 2009 Seattle Seahawks had the NFL's 30th-ranked defense, largely due to their inability to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. Seattle's defense had just 28 quarterback sacks a season ago, with half of that production coming from defensive ends Patrick Kerney, Lawrence Jackson, Darryl Tapp, and Corey Redding, none of whom are still with the team.

Eric Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune writes that the Seahawks may have found an edge pass-rusher in seventh-round linebacker/defensive end Dexter Davis.

Davis (6-1, 244) started a school-record 50 games during his career at Arizona State, totaling 136 tackles, including 45 for a loss and 31 quarterback sacks, which rank third in school annals behind Shante Carver (41) and current Baltimore Ravens defensive end/linebacker Terrell Suggs (44).

Despite his production and speed (4.62-40 at the Combine, fastest among defensive ends), Davis was a 'tweener who fell to the Seahawks at the 236th pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. Seattle has used Davis at strong-side linebacker position, as well as the "Leo" defensive end spot. His versatility and improvement has caught the attention of linebackers coach Ken Norton Jr.

"If there is one player who would be the MVP of the camp, one guy who came in at a certain level and has risen from Day 1, it’s Dexter Davis," Norton said, according to Williams. "He’s been more than we ever could have thought."

Through two pre-season games, Davis leads the Seahawks in total tackles (10), special teams tackles (2), quarterback sacks (2), and quarterback hits (6). One of Davis' sacks was a "strip-sack" of Green Bay Packers quarterback Matt Flynn, with Davis recovering the fumble, as well.

The two-time first-team All-Pac 10 selection has head coach Pete Carroll sufficiently jacked and pumped.

"I’m really fired up for Dexter," Carroll said. "He’s making a big statement about making the team, and having a role on the club. He just kind of keeps doing it. There’s a lot of consistency as we see it, and it’s carrying over to the game, so we have to find a spot for that guy pretty quick here."

Like Nick Reed, last year's Pac-10 pass-rushing defensive end chosen in the seventh-round by the Seahawks and having an outstanding pre-season, Davis' initial contributions in the NFL will come on special teams.

Davis' versatility, though, has likely already earned him a spot on the 53-man roster.