While the Seattle Seahawks front office face continued criticism for the price tag paid to acquire quarterback Charlie Whitehurst--who hasn't pushed Matt Hasselbeck for the starting job, and is facing a challenge from J.P. Losman for the top back-up job--from the San Diego Chargers, they are the early winner in other RFA trade this off-season.

Despite starting just 5 of 16 games, and producing career-low 2.5 quarterback sacks, restricted free agent Darryl Tapp was arguably the Seahawks' most consistent defensive end in 2009. At 6-1 and 270 pounds, however, Tapp didn't fit the mold for the hybrid defensive end/linebacker "Leo" position on the Seahawks' defensive line.

So in March, the Seahawks traded Tapp to the Philadelphia Eagles in exchange for defensive end Chris Clemons and a 2010 fourth-round pick.

At 6-3 and 242 pounds, Clemons looks the part of the "Leo", and is currently playing that position with the first-team defense. With that fourth-round pick, the Seahawks selected defensive end E.J. Wilson (6-2, 292) out of the University of North Carolina. Wilson is working at the "5" technique left defensive end position behind projected starter Red Bryant, and also gives the Seahawks an option as an inside pass-rusher in nickel packages.

Upon his arrival in Philadelphia, Tapp signed a three-year contract extension worth $9 million and was viewed as a pass-rusher the Eagles could pair opposite Pro Bowler Trent Cole.

The selections of defensive linemen Brandon Graham and Daniel Teo'Nesheim, though, and an impressive showing from defensive tackle Trevor Laws, have pushed Tapp out of key roles on the base and nickel defenses, Jonathan Tameri of the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

Tapp will certainly earn playing time and pass-rushing opportunities for the Eagles, but the Seahawks' front office deserves credit for turning a restricted free agent who didn't fit their system into two players, including one starter, that will have an impact on the team's immediate and long-term future.