SEATTLE _ Dave Hoffmann stands alone in the middle of a room with 20 doors. He is told that, at any moment, two assailants will enter and attack. He does not know which doors they will use. He does not know when. His objective is to subdue the assailants as efficiently as possible. Same as at Washington, his objective is to win.
And, if he's being honest, he enjoys the unknown. He enjoys the challenge of it. It reminds him of his previous life as a middle linebacker _ anticipating the snap, adapting and attacking, converting clear thoughts into thunderous collisions. He is 27 years old, the former Pac-10 Defensive Player of the Year, 215 pounds of meticulously forged muscle. He is ready. He is unafraid. He is a heavy hammer, set to swing.
More than two decades later, he'll call these "good times."
Eventually, of course, the doors do open. Hoffmann adapts and attacks. He uncoils on his opponents, like a rattlesnake strike.
This is what it takes to train for the United States Secret Service.
The drill starts, then ends less than 10 seconds later.
