Cornerback Tye Hill, who hasn't played since the fourth game of the season because of a knee injury, was placed on injured reserve, and safety Corey Chavous was replaced in the starting lineup by Todd Johnson.

Coaches had considered making the move to Johnson for several weeks but hesitated because of the intangibles Chavous brings to the group. With a 2-11 record, coach Jim Haslett finally decided it was time to get the younger Johnson more playing time.

Said Haslett, "I think he deserves it. He's the one guy on our team that really hasn't had the chance to go out there and show himself. When he gets in there he plays pretty well. Last year, he played in the Baltimore game, we did a nice job in the run game with O.J. (Atogwe) down in the box and Todd in space. I think with those two you have the ability to play left and right, play strong open, weak tight because they both have a pretty good handle on what you want.

"Todd's a really smart guy, he's a good football player, he can tackle, he started a number of games in this league in Chicago and did a good job. I think he'll bring a calmness to the defense and he'll be effective in his own way. He's not going to be flashy, he's not a flashy type of guy. He's the kind of guy that gets out there and gets the job done."

Asked how tough it was to give the news to Chavous, Haslett said, "We had a great discussion yesterday about 45 minutes. First of all, the guy's a great guy, a team player, always will be. Before I even got it out of my mouth, he told me what I was going to tell him. I appreciate it. If I was going to have a guy that I was going to build around, I would say follow that guy around that's the guy I want you to be like. He studies, he prepares, he knows the opponent, he spends time watching film. He actually is the reason, I think, OJ kind of took off because him and OJ sit beside each other. He taught OJ how to study, how to take notes, how to prepare to play. Then, obviously, OJ's athleticism's taken him to where he is now, but he, I think single-handedly, is the reason why OJ's ready to play games because of Corey.

"He's your team captain, voted by the players. He's well-respected in the locker room and he's well-respected by the coaches. I love the guy, I mean, like I said, I didn't even get it out my mouth yet and he was telling me what I was going to say and understood and he said I'm here to do whatever you want. I'm going to play (special) teams, that's how I made my living early in my career. Then we talked about our football team and after that we just talked about what he thought we needed in the future. I'll let him tell you that but he said... 'This is not your team, this is what you had in New Orleans and I know what you're trying to build.' And we kind of just talked about that. But he's a great guy and if something happens, he'll be ready to step in and play and we won't miss a beat."

When asked if Chavous would make a good coach, Haslett said, "I think Corey could coach, I think he could be in personnel because the man studies more film than anybody. He knows players; he does all that scouting in the offseason. I think he can go a number of different avenues. Now, does he want to spend the time in coaching, I don't know. We talked about that yesterday, you know, maybe coming back as a backup, Jimmy Spencer-type guy who was a coach
Meanwhile, Hill was shut down after playing just four games this season and 12 in the last two years. He was a first-round pick in 2006, showed progress during his rookie season, but then suffered back and wrist injuries last season and the knee problem this year after having some confidence issues early in the season.

Asked if Hill can be salvaged, Haslett said, "Well, yeah, he's salvageable. Corners are always like that. His confidence is really shot now. But I'll tell you one thing it'll make him do. I think when you miss this much time it makes you appreciate the game and appreciate what you don't have. Then, when you come back you come back and play for it a little bit more because you know it can end at any time and you just went through it and you missed games. I was talking to him today about how he misses the game and I said, 'Well, this will make you appreciate it a little bit more. Maybe you'll work a little bit harder and do some things right, realizing that it can end at any time.' I think the guys that do get hurt and they do miss some time, I think they appreciate the game a little bit more."

SERIES HISTORY: 21st regular-season meeting. Seahawks lead, 11-9. Since the Rams won three games from the Seahawks in 2004, including a playoff game, Seattle has won seven consecutive games in the series.