As players get bigger, stronger and faster coupled with rules of the game
being in constant change, conventional wisdom suggests that players from
different eras cannot be compared. However, I have decided to defy that
notion.
Considering that the Seattle Seahawks entered the NFL as an expansion
team in 1976, the task becomes quite challenging. Today, I have taken
on the daunting task of compiling an All-Time Seahawks team. The
interesting subplot to the Seahawks is that they have played in both the
AFC West and NFC West. Playing in the obscurity of the Pacific
Northwest, the Seahawks have been out of sight, out of mind on the
national scale but in the Pete Carroll, and to a lesser degree, Mike Holmgren
era, the Seahawks have become a more national brand. In the 1980s, the
Seahawks had pockets of success under Chuck Knox, reaching the
playoffs four times and winning three games. They advanced to the AFC
Title Game in 1983 before losing to the eventual Super Bowl champion
Los Angeles Raiders.
The 1990s featured a fall from grace with only one trip to the playoffs
and two winning seasons. Holmgren took over in 1999 and guided the
Seahawks to a Super Bowl appearance in 2005, losing to the Pittsburgh
Steelers 21-10. Carroll guided the franchise to back-to-back Super Bowl
appearances in 2013-2014, winning the former 43-8 over Denver and
losing the latter to New England 28-24.
There are some rigid criteria in making this team. The player needed to
have played at least four seasons as a Seahawk. Since the free agency era
began 30 years ago, that standard needs to be in place. Two-year rentals
don’t make this list. Personality or legal flaws are not a deterrent to making
this team. This is football, not the Boy Scouts. Being in the Hall of Fame
is the first consideration coupled with impact on the franchise. The number
of All-Pro seasons are a top consideration with longevity also helping
immensely. While I understand it is hard to compare eras, I’m not going to
convolute this discussion.
Generational reminders
All eras matter. Being on the Seahawks during a Super Bowl run or does
not get you a hall pass on this team. Playing for any randomly wretched
team does not disqualify you either.
To further the challenge, we are constructing the roster in two-deep format,
which means some worthy players get left off the list. So, if you want to
make a case for a player being on the team, don’t just tell me he should be
there and why, tell me who you would remove. Before you make a case
to put someone on the list, ask yourself, “Who do I take off the list at that
position?”
OFFENSE
QB -- First team: Russell Wilson. Honorable mention: Matt Hasselbeck.
Wilson is an automatic No. 1 choice. For openers, he holds a truckload
of franchise passing records. Wilson is a seven-time Pro Bowler, second-
team All Pro in 2019, NFL Rookie of the Year and is a Super Bowl
winning quarterback. The Legion of Boom defense gets the acclaim for
the 2013 Super Bowl but Wilson’s development as a quarterback has
kept the Seahawks consistently in the picture for Super Bowl contention.
Hasselbeck noses out Dave Krieg. Both were three-time Pro Bowlers but
Hasselbeck wins the tiebreaker based on being the franchise’s leading
passer until Wilson broke those records. Hasselbeck also led the Seahawks
to a Super Bowl appearance in 2005.
RB -- First team: Shaun Alexander, Marshawn Lynch. Honorable
mention: Curt Warner, Chris Warren.
Other than Jim Brown and Earl Campbell, you’d be hard-pressed to find
a more violent runner than Lynch, who was nicknamed “Beast Mode.”
Lynch had two stints as a Seahawk (2010-2015; 2019). He possesses one
of the most famous runs in NFL history, known as the “Beast quake” in
the Seahawks 2011 wild card win over the New Orleans Saints in which
he broke nine tackles on the way to a 67-yard touchdown run. As a
Seahawk, Lynch was a four-time Pro Bowler, two-time All Pro (one as
a first-teamer), two-time rushing touchdowns leader and member of the
2013 team. Alexander spent eight seasons as a Seahawk and is the
franchise’s all-time leading rusher. Alexander was a three-time Pro Bowler
and two-time All Pro (one as a first-team). The 2005 season was a banner
campaign. Alexander was NFL MVP and NFL Offensive Player of the
Year on the way toward a Super Bowl appearance. Warner was a less
heralded member of a 1983 draft that included John Elway and Eric
Dickerson. Nonetheless, Warner had a solid eight years (1983-1989)
with the Seahawks. Warner is fourth in franchise history in rushing
yardage. He was a three-time Pro Bowler, three-time second-team All
Pro and two-time AFC Offensive Player of the Year. For the No. 4
spot, it was a close call but Warren’s longevity of eight years as a
Seahawk to Ricky Watters’ four gave him the nod. Warren is No. 2 in
career rushing yardage in franchise history behind Alexander. Warren
was a three-time Pro Bowler and two-time All Pro.
FB -- First team: Mack Strong. Honorable mention: John L.
Williams.
The Seahawks had back-to-back excellence at fullback with Williams
(1986-1993) and Strong (1993-2007). Strong, however, gets the nod
for longevity. Strong was a two-time Pro Bowl and All Pro once. He
blocked for three 1,000 yard rushers (Warren, Watters and Alexander.
Williams was used in all three facets between blocking, rushing and
receiving. He paved the way for Warner and Warren to rush for 1,000
yard seasons. Williams is fifth in franchise history in rushing yardage
and fourth in receptions.
WR -- First team: Steve Largent, Doug Baldwin. Honorable
mention: Brian Blades, Darrell Jackson.
If there ever was a Mr. Seahawk, it would be Largent, who was an
original Seahawk nicknamed “Yoda” for his ability to catch anything
thrown his way. Largent, who went on to have a career in politics after
football, is a Hall of Famer and the franchise’s all-time leading pass
catcher. Despite being undersized (5-11, 187), Largent had a knack
for befuddling defenses. In his 14 seasons as a Seahawk, Largent was
a seven-time Pro Bowler and five-time All Pro (once as a first-teamer).
Though the Seahawks were known for their running game, Wilson-
to-Baldwin was an underrated quarterback-to-receiver duo. Baldwin
spent eight years (2011-2018) as a Seahawk and is the third-leading
pass catcher in franchise history. Balwin was a two-time Pro Bowler,
led the NFL in touchdown catches in 2015 and was a member of the
2013 team. Blades spent 11 seasons (1988-1998) and is the
franchise’s second all-time career receiving leader. Blades’ best season
was 1989, when he was a Pro Bowler and All Pro. Jackson spent seven
years (2000-2006) as a Seahawk including the 2005 campaign.
Jackson was Hasselbeck’s go-to receiver and is fifth in franchise
history for receptions.
TE -- First team: Itula Mili. Honorable mention: Christian Fauria.
Jimmy Graham is the most talented tight end in franchise history but only
three years as a Seahawk disqualifies him from this team. Mili and Fauria
did not earn any postseason accolades but both were impactful. Mili
played nine years (1998-2006) and was a member of the 2005 team. Mili
brought production and consistency throughout his career. Mili caught
164 passes as a Seahawk. Fauria played his first six seasons (1995-2001)
as a Seahawk. He caught 166 passes in that span.
OT -- First team: Walter Jones, Russell Okung. Honorable mention:
Sean Locklear, Howard Ballard.
Jones was the epitome of the word stalwart for 13 years (1997-2009) on
the way to a Hall of Fame career and given the position he played, was
the most valuable Seahawk of all-time. Jones was one of the best offensive
linemen in NFL history. Jones started every game that he played. Jones
was a nine-time Pro Bowler, six-time All Pro (four as a first-teamer) and
member of the 2005 team. Okung, who is now a Carolina Panther, spent
his first six seasons (2010-2015) with the Seahawks, including the 2013
campaign. Okung was a Pro Bowler in 2012. Locklear spent his first six
seasons (2004-2010) as a Seahawk. From 2007-2010, he started 51 of
54 games he played. Though he spent seven years (1987-1993) as a
Buffalo Bill, Ballard was a reliable starter for five years (1994-1998) as
a Seahawk.
OG -- First team: Steve Hutchinson, Chris Gray. Honorable mention:
JR Sweezy, Edwin Bailey.
Hutchinson spent the first five years (2001-2005) of his Hall of Fame
career as a Seahawk. He and Gray were also members of the 2005 team
and was a big reason Alexander and Hasselbeck had such accomplished
careers. As a Seahawk, Hutchinson was an All Pro three times (two as a
first-teamer) and Pro Bowler on two occasions. Gray had two stints as
a Seahawk (1993-1996; 1998-2007), playing for the Chicago Bears in
between. Though he never got any postseason accolades, Gray was very
reliable. At one point, he started 121 consecutive games. Sweezy is now
an Arizona Cardinal but had two stints as a Seahawk (2012-2015; 2018).
The amazing story behind Sweezy was converting from playing defense
in college to becoming an accomplished starter at guard. Sweezy was also
a member of the 2013 team. Bailey was a career Seahawk, playing from
1981-1991 and very popular. At one point, he started 140 consecutive
games.
C -- First team: Robbie Tobek. Honorable mention: Max Unger.
Tobeck played seven seasons (2000-2006) as a Seahawk with his best
season coming in 2005, a year in which the Seahawks reached the Super
Bowl. Tobeck played just four games of high school football. Unger
played six years (2009-2014) as a Seahawk, reaching the Pro Bowl twice
in that span. He was also first-team All Pro in 2012 and a member of the
2013 Super Bowl champions.
DEFENSE
DE -- First team: Jacob Green, Michael Sinclair. Honorable mention:
Jeff Bryant, Michael Bennett.
The Seahawks have some great defensive players in recent vintage but
Green, who played from 1981-1991, is the franchise’s all-time leader
with 97.5 sacks, gets an automatic first-team bid. At the time of retirement,
that total was good for third in NFL history behind Reggie White and
Lawrence Taylor. Green was a two-time Pro Bowler and two-time All Pro
(one as a first-teamer). Sinclair also spent 11 seasons (1991-2001) in a
Seahawks uniform and is No. 2 in franchise history with 73.5 sacks.
Bryant never earned any postseason honors but 12 years (1981-1992)
with the franchise performing at a strong level counts for a lot. Bryant
is No. 3 in franchise history with 63 sacks. He also forced 11 fumbles.
Bennett actually had two stints as a Seahawk (2009; 2013-2017). He
made the team as an undrafted free agent in 2009 before being waived
and signing with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His four years in the mid-
2010s were very impactful. He recorded 39.5 sacks and was a member
of the 2013 team. Bennett was a three-time Pro Bowler as a Seahawk.
DT -- First team: Cortez Kennedy, Joe Nash. Honorable mention:
Sam Adams, Brandan Mebane.
Kennedy played all 11 seasons (1990-2000) of his Hall of Fame career
as a Seahawk. Since Kennedy was a pre Legion of Boom player, he gets
overlooked. Kennedy though was a massive presence in the middle.
Kennedy’s resume says it all: eight-time Pro Bowler, five-time All Pro
(three as a first-teamer) and NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1992.
He recorded 58.5 career socks from a position not known for being
stat-friendly. Nash played 15 seasons (1982-1996) and a franchise-
record 218 career games. He was a Pro Bowler and All Pro in 1984,
when the Seahawks went 12-4, at the time a franchise record. Before
becoming a member of the legendary 2000 Baltimore Ravens, Adams
and Kennedy formed a stout tandem. Adams spent his first six years
(1994-1999) as a Seahawk. Mebane played nine seasons (2007-2015)
in Seattle and was an unheralded but key member of the 2013 team.
He did not piled up huge numbers but played very well from sideline-
to-sideline.
OLB -- First team: KJ Wright, Chad Brown. Honorable mention:
Terry Wooden, Rufus Porter.
Wright is about to enter his tenth season with the franchise. Wright’s
lone Pro Bowl season was 2016 and he was a member of the 2013 team.
Wright has surpassed the 100 tackle mark in five of the last six seasons.
The season Wright did not accomplish such a feat in that span was 2018,
when he played just five games because of a knee injury. Brown signed
a free agent contract with the Seahawks in 1997 and spent eight solid
years as a Seahawk, two of which were Pro Bowl campaigns. Wooden
played seven years with the Seahawks (1990-1996) and surpassed the
100 tackle mark four times. He also recovered eight fumbles and forced
four more. Porter played seven years (1988-1994). He reached the Pro
Bowl twice and made All Pro once. Porter recorded 37.5 sacks.
ILB -- First team: Bobbie Wagner, Lofa Tatupu. Honorable mention:
Fredd Young, Keith Butler.
Wagner recently completed his eighth season and is one of the few
remaining original Legion of Boom players remaining. Wagner has
been a complete player his entire career. He is a six-time Pro Bowler,
six-time All Pro (five as a first-teamer), two-time NFL leader in tackles
and member of the 2013 team. Wagner has scored three defensive
touchdowns, intercepted 10 passes and deflected 47. Tatupu was a
Seahawk for six years (2005-2010) and was a Pro Bowler on three
occasions. He was a rookie on the 2005 team. Young played four
seasons (1984-1987) as a Seahawk and made the Pro Bowl all four
seasons in large part for his work on special teams. Young, however,
was also a stalwart inside linebacker as well. Butler was a Seahawk for
ten seasons (1978-1987) and started 132 of the 146 games in which
he played. He also tallied 813 tackles, second most in franchise history.
CB -- First team: Richard Sherman, Dave Brown. Honorable
mention: Marcus Trufant, Shawn Springs.
Sherman, who recently completed his second season with the rival 49ers,
went from fifth round pick to future Hall of Famer. In seven years as a
Seahawk, Sherman was the epitome of “shutdown corner.” Sherman
was a Pro Bowl selection four times and All Pro four times (three as a
first-teamer). He led the NFL in interceptions in 2013, when the
Seahawks won the Super Bowl. Sherman recorded 32 interceptions
in a Seahawk uniform. Brown was an original Seahawk and played
for 12 years (1976-1987). Brown is the franchise leader with 50 career
interceptions. Brown’s lone Pro Bowl season was 1984. He was second-
team All Pro in 1984 and 1985. Trufant spent ten seasons (2003-2012)
as a Seahawk and is considered a hometown favorite after playing
collegiately at Washington State. Trufant was a Pro Bowler and
second-team All Pro in 2007. He was also a member of the 2005 team.
Trufant had 21 interceptions and six fumble recoveries. Springs spent
his first seven years (1997-2003) as a Seahawk. He was a Pro Bowler
in 1998 and intercepted 20 passes as a Seahawk.
S -- First team: Earl Thomas, Kenny Easley. Honorable mention:
Kam Chancellor, Eugene Robinson.
Though overshadowed by the likes of Ronnie Lott and Lawrence Taylor,
Easley was one of the NFL’s best defensive players in the 1980s. When
Easley hit, he lowered your IQ. Easley played seven seasons and had
an impressive resume on the way to a Hall of Fame career: five Pro
Bowls, five All Pros (four as a first-teamer), NFL Defensive Player of
the Year in 1984 and 32 career interceptions. Thomas recently
completed his first season as a Baltimore Raven but was a near decade
long staple for the Legion of Boom defense. Thomas and Chancellor
were a ballhawking and hard-hitting safety tandem. Both were key
figures in the 2013 Super Bowl season. As a Seahawk, Thomas was a
Pro Bowler six times and All Pro five more (three as a first-teamer).
Thomas is sixth in franchise history with 28 interceptions. Chancellor
retired after eight years in 2017. He was a four-time Pro Bowler and
two-time second-team All Pro. He recorded 44 pass breakups, 12
interceptions and ten forced fumbles. Robinson spent the first 11 of
his 16 seasons as a Seahawk. He is No. 2 in franchise history in total
tackles and interceptions, both career marks. Robinson led the NFL
in interceptions in 1993. As a Seahawk, he was a two-time Pro Bowler
and one-time All Pro.
SPECIAL TEAMS
K -- First team: Stephen Hauschka. Honorable mention: Todd
Peterson.
Hauschka recently completed his third season as a Buffalo Bill but spent
five with the Seahawks (2011-2015). Hauschka is the most accurate
kicker in franchise history (based on at least 150 attempts), making good
on 88.8 percent of his field goal attempts, including 15 of 22 from 50
yards or greater. Peterson spent five (1995-1999) of his 15 seasons
with the Seahawks. He made good on 81.8% of his field goal attempts
in that span.
P -- First team: Jon Ryan. Honorable mention: Rick Tuten.
Ryan spent ten of his 13 NFL seasons with the Seahawks (2008-2017),
including being a member of the 2013 team. Ryan has the second-highest
highest yards per punt average in franchise history 44.8, based on at least
150 attempts. Tuten spent seven years (1991-1997) as a Seahawk. His
best season was a Pro Bowl campaign in 1994. In a Seahawks uniform,
he averaged 43.8 yards per punt.
RETURN -- First team: Tyler Lockett. Honorable mention: Nate
Burleson.
Lockett recently completed his fifth season and while also catching 276
passes as a receiver in that span, he has been an impressive returner.
Lockett has three kicks (two kickoffs, one punt) returned for a score.
Lockett has a career 25.2 yards per return average on kickoffs. Burleson
was nothing spectacular but was solid as a punt returner, averaging 10.3
yards per attempt. He also filled in solidly as a kickoff returner, averaging
22.9 yards per attempt.
HEAD COACH -- First team: Pete Carroll. Honorable mention: Mike
Holmgren.
Carroll has a star-crossed legacy in that he was mediocre in his first NFL
stint as a head coach (28-24 from 1994-1999 with the New York Jets
and New England Patriots). At the college level, he returned USC to
prominence, going 97-19 with two National Championships. With the
Seahawks, Carroll’s teams have gone 100-59-1, delivering the franchise’s
lone Super Bowl title and though Seattle hasn’t reached the NFC Title
game since 2014, the franchise is consistently in the mix. Carroll’s
biggest achievement is masterminding the Legion of Boom defense that
led the NFL in scoring defense for four straight years, becoming the first
team to do so since the 1950s Cleveland Browns. After resigning from
the Green Bay Packers, Holmgren signed an eight-year contract with the
Seahawks, coaching the franchise from 1999-2008. The franchise went
86-74 under Holmgren including a Super Bowl appearance in 2005.
TEAM -- 2013. Pretty cut and dried choice. The Seahawks have been to
three Super Bowls but this one was the lone version to deliver a title.
Seattle went 13-3, edging out division rival San Francisco, which went
12-4 for the NFC West title. The Seahawks edged New Orleans (23-15)
and the 49ers (23-17) before blasting the Denver Broncos 43-8 in the
Super Bowl. The Seahawks had a punishing ground attack and reliable
passing game. The identity, however, was defense. On this side of the
ball, the Seahawks led the league in points allowed (231), yards allowed
(4,378), and takeaways (39), the first team to lead all three categories
since the 1985 Chicago Bears.
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