It’s late Spring. NFL mini camps should be happening, but they are not. To offer a slight reprieve for what has been trying times, I thought I would offer my own All Time Seattle Seahawks Roster with a practice squad and coaching staff. I hope you enjoy it as you stay safe out there.

Go Hawks, and Black Lives Matter.

Quarterback; Russell Wilson (2012 to present), Dave Krieg (1981-’91), Matt Hasselbeck (2001-’10)

With a Super Bowl ring, numerous pro bowls, record passing numbers, continual winning seasons, and all around spectacular play, Russell Wilson is the undisputed starter. I have Dave “Mudbone” Krieg beating out Matt Hasselbeck for the backup spot. No disrespect to Hass, but I just feel like Mudbone had a bit more of his own dynamic flair. Go Hawks.

Running Back; Marshawn Lynch (2010-’15), Shaun Alexander (2000-’07), Curt Warner (1983-’89), Chris Warren (1990-’97)

Beastmode is the starter. His toughness was tone setting and inspiring for his teammates. Alexander was a dynamic runner that was a home run hitter every time he got into open space. Curt Warner mixes in with his unique juke skills, and Chris Warren is the play-making third down back. Go Hawks.

Fullback; John L. Williams (1986-’93)

John L. is the best Seattle Seahawk not named Russell Wilson, Steve Largent, Cortez Kennedy, Kenny Easley, Walter Jones, Steve Hutchinson, Richard Sherman, Jacob Green, Kam Chancellor, Bobby Wagner, Marshawn Lynch, Doug Baldwin, or Earl Thomas. Not bad for a fullback. He was a tremendously talented receiver and a powerful inside runner.

Wide Receiver; Steve Largent (1976-’86), Doug Baldwin (2011-’18), Brian Blades (1988-’89), Tyler Lockett (2015 to present), Darrell Jackson (2000-’06), Bobby Engram (2001-’08).

What this group tells me is that Seattle has done a sneaky good job over the years collecting really talented yet diminutive route runners. The biggest guy out of this group is Jackson at 5-11 and 206 pounds. However, each guy in this group was/is a superb route runner with great hands, toughness, and had/has a uncanny ability to make the spectacular play.

Tight End; Jimmy Graham (2015-’17), Zach Miller (2011-’14), Jerramy Stevens (2002-’06)

What this group tells me is almost the exact opposite of the receiver group. There were receivers that I could have included in that grouping. With tight end, it was a struggle to come up with three quality players for my final 53, and nothing screams that more loudly than having Jerramy Stevens make the All Time club.

Offensive Tackle; Walter Jones (1997-2009), Duane Brown (2017 to present), Russell Okung (2010-’15)

There is probably not a more talented overall football player that has ever worn a Seahawk uniform than Walter Jones. Big Walt was an incredible athlete and if your kid is sulking about the coaches trying to make him an offensive lineman instead of a quarterback, have him watch Walter Jones highlights. It is almost like watching a Marvel movie superhero. Duane Brown is as solid as they come, and Russell Okung was a quality pro bowl player for the Seahawks in his time.

Offensive Guard; Steve Hutchinson (2001-’05), Chris Gray (1998-2007), Brian Millard (1984-’91), Edwin Bailey (1981-’91)

What Pete Carroll did to form the Legion of Boom secondary in Seattle, Mike Holmgren did for his offensive line when he coached the Seahawks. On that line, Steve Hutchinson is a hall of famer, but Chris Gray was also a high level starter. In the 1980’s, Brian Millard helped pave ways for Curt Warner and John L Williams in the 1980’s, and his teammate, Edwin Bailey, had a long career at left guard, starting a remarkable 120 games.

Center;  Kevin Mawae (1994-’97) Max Unger (2009-’14),

Kevin Mawae is a hall of famer that Seattle stupidly let leave in free agency in the nineties. Max Unger is arguably the best offensive lineman in the Pete Carroll era not named Duane Brown, and it was a shocker when he was shipped to New Orleans as part of the deal for tight end Jimmy Graham. All he did for the Saints was a continuation of his steady pro-bowl level play until he retired from football.

Defensive End; Jacob Green (1980-’91), Jeff Bryant (1982-’93), Michael Sinclair (1991-2001), Cliff Avril (2013-’17), Michael Bennett (2013-’17)

Seattle has done well over the decades at defensive end. Jacob Green is the best edge rusher that I’ve ever seen in a Seahawk uniform, and I think had he played in a bigger market, he would have be a hall of famer by now. Jeff Bryant was his terrific counterpart. Mixed in between them and the modern day era dynamic duo of Avril and Bennett is Michael Sinclair who was a dominant edge rusher in the 1990’s.

Defense Tackle; Cortez Kennedy (1990-2000), Joe Nash (1982-’96), Sam Adams (1994-’99), John Randle (2001-’03)

Cortez Kennedy (resting peacefully) was the most dominant defender to ever play in a Seahawk uniform. His explosive first step, power, and interior pass rush was incredible to watch. In his day, he could routinely destroy multiple blockers, and blow up running plays almost before the quarterback could make the hand off.  Joe Nash (1984 All-Pro) was a classic overachiever who far outplayed his un-drafted draft stock, enjoying a 14 year NFL career. Sam Adams formed a great tandem with Kennedy in the nineties, and and while hall of famer John Randle’s Seattle tenure was short (and at the end of his career), he was a pro-bowl player for the Hawks.

Outside Linebacker; Chad Brown (1997-2004), KJ Wright (2011-present), Leroy Hill (2005-’12), Rufus Porter (1988-’94)

Chad Brown was a fantastic “do everything” outside linebacker for the Seahawks. KJ Wright has always done everything right, Leroy Hill was a fierce blitzer, and Rufus Porter was a dynamic pass rush specialist who became a quality every down linebacker.

Middle Linebacker; Bobby Wagner (2012-present), Lofa Tatupu (2005-’10), Fredd Young (1984-’87)

Bobby Wagner is a future hall of famer who might be on the way to having his jersey retired, Lofa was an instinctive field general who excelled in coverage and against the run, and Fredd Young was a dynamic play-maker. There are other linebackers that I could have listed but these three were the most dynamic.

Cornerback; Richard Sherman (2011-’17), Dave Brown (1976-’86), Marcus Trufant (2003-’12), Brandon Browner (2011-’13), Shawn Springs (1997-2003)

Richard Sherman is a definite future hall of famer, but Dave Brown was Sherman before Sherman was born. Marcus Trufant was a solid pro bowl level player from the Holmgren to Carroll era. Browner is a legendary member of the LOB, and Shawn Springs was a gifted player during the late 1990’s to early 2000’s. This is a strong group.

Free Safety; Earl Thomas (2010-’18), Eugene Robinson (1985-’95)

Earl Thomas is one of the best athletes to play for the Seahawks. His rare ability to play center field, and cover sideline to sideline revolutionized Seattle’s defense under Carroll. Robinson was a steady player for some bad Seahawk teams in nineties, but at least enjoyed a bit playoff success earlier in the eighties. He was a three time pro-bowler that enjoyed a long NFL career.

Strong Safety; Kenny Easley (1981-’87), Kam Chancellor (2010-’17)

I was reluctant to call Earl Thomas the best athlete to ever play for the Seattle Seahawks because I think that honor belongs to Kenny Easley. In the early to mid 1980’s, Kenny Easley was a human highlight reel. He was a ferocious play-maker, taking away the football, scoring on returns, and laying terrifying hits on receivers. He was the original enforcer and tone setter on an exciting defense under then head coach Chuck Knox, and he is a much deserved hall of famer. Kam Chancellor was the Boom in the Legion Of Boom, and the fearless leader of that historic defense. He has been my favorite Seahawk player of the modern era not named Russell Wilson.

Kicker; Norm Johnson (1982-’90)

Stormin’ Norman Johnson was a Seattle Seahawk legend in the eighties, and he possessed a monster leg with great accuracy. He’s the best kicker to ever wear a Seahawk uniform to far and away.

Punter; Rick Tuten (1991-’97)

Rick Bootin’ Tuten was a sensational punter for the Seahawks in the lean years of the nineties. Sadly, he unexpectedly passed away in 2017.

Long Snapper; Trey Junkin (1990-’95)

Junkin was a solid long snapper for the Seahawks in the nineties. For a team that didn’t do a whole lot of winning at that time, they always seemed to have solid special teamers.

Ten Player Practice Squad; QB Jim Zorn (1976-’84), RB Chris Carson (2017-present), DE Chris Clemons (2010-’13), DE Frank Clark (2015-’18), DT Brandon Mebane (2007-’15), DT Jarran Reed (2016-present) LB Dave Wyman (1987-’92), LB Brian Bosworth (1987-’89), Safety John Harris (1978-’85), Center Robbie Tobeck (2000-’06)

Jim Zorn was kind of the original Russell Wilson, a crafty scrambler who was had instinctive play-making abilities. When healthy, Chris Carson has been every bit of a dynamic runner as other great Seattle backs. Chris Clemons and Frank Clark get over shadowed by the Avril/ Bennett duo of the Pete Carroll era but were both spectacular in there time here. Brandon Mebane and Jarran Reed have been the best DT’s of the modern Seahawk era. David Wyman and Brian Bosworth were drafted together and, for a short time, played wonderfully together before injuries quickly caught up to the Boz. John Harris was a solid safety in the eighties, and Robbie Tobeck was a rock solid center for the Holmgren coached Seahawks.

Head Coach; Pete Carroll (2010-present)

There is no head coach in professional football who can squeeze more juice out of a lemon than Pete Carroll. He is a master motivator and culture builder, and I think he is a way better game adjuster than many give him credit for. Best of all, players want to play for him, and play well for him.

Offensive Coordinator; Mike Holmgren (1999-2008)

Would Holmgren be willing to call plays under Pete? I highly doubt it, and I don’t even think it is even a philosophical fit, but he was his own play caller during his time as the head coach, and at the height of that time, he did it masterfully.

Defense Coordinator; Tom Catlin (1983-’92)

Tom Catlin was a masterful defensive mind. He coached both 3-4 and a 4-3 defenses in Seattle under head coaches Chuck Knox and Tom Flores, and he coached these defenses at league leading levels. His defenses consistently did two things; they sacked quarterbacks and they took the ball away. Go Hawks.

Special Teams Coach; Rusty Tillman (1979-’91)

Part of what made the eighties Seahawks such a fun team to watch was their dynamic special teams play. They blocked a lot kicks, scored on a lot of returns, and generally played with a lot of fun mayhem. They were a joy to watch.

Final thoughts

This exercise has revealed a few things to me that I want to share.

One thing it revealed is that, despite the continual criticism over the offensive line during the Pete Carroll era, this era produced three linemen that made it onto this All Time roster. This suggests to me that perhaps some of the high sack numbers are on Russell Wilson holding onto the ball longer than he should, instead of checking down (sorry to beat that dead horse once again).

Another thing this roster suggests is that Seattle has been historically good at finding pass rushers on the defensive line, and quality running backs. This is a nice formula for football played in the cold wet Puget Sound weather in the Fall. Every Seattle Seahawk contending team has featured a dynamic runner, a quality quarterback, and most have had a reliable pass rush. If you can run the ball, you can control the clock, and if you have a quality quarterback, you score, and if you have a pass rush, you generally stop the other team. That sounds a lot like Pete Ball to me.

Thirdly, this roster also indicates that Seattle has been a lot better over the years finding quality receiver talent than many would think.

The final thing that this roster shows me is that all the “Seattle used to be a miserable team for years” talk that some jealous filled fans of other teams toss around is a bit overblown. Seattle had a bad to mediocre stretch of football for most of the 1990’s. There was very little consistently good quarterback play during the bulk of that decade, and that effected the team’s ability to contend for playoffs.

This All-Time roster suggests that the Seahawks had talent on some of those nineties teams. They were a pretty decent ball club through most of the 1980’s, and things definitely changed dramatically for the better from the early 2000’s to present. In fact, thus far, through this early portion of the 21 Century, Seattle has largely dominated the NFC West. That’s not bad. So take that, Seahawk haters.

That’s my story and I am sticking to it, anyways.

Stay safe everyone. Peace and love, and go Hawks.