This is a continuing series paying tribute to NFL legends who are not, and perhaps never will be, members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Quarterback : Dave Krieg



Kreig was an undrafted free agent rookie the Seahawks signed in 1980. He is the second and last player in the NFL to play college football at the now defunct Milton college. The first player was defensive end Dave Kraayeveld, who played with Seattle for 12 games in 1978.

Krieg spent the first four years of his career as a reserve, though he began to get more starts in 1983 when he started half of the season. He led the NFL with a touchdowns percentage of 7.4. With him at the helm, Seattle reached the AFC Championship after winning the first two playoff games ever in franchise history.

He was named the full time starter the next season, and he responded with his first Pro Bowl season. He tossed a career best 3,671 yards and 34 touchdowns. He also led the NFL with a career high 24 interceptions. Seattle won 12 games that year, a franchise record that stood until 2005.

Seattle won just eight games in 1985, and Krieg was sacked 52 times. The 455 yards he lost off of those sacks led the NFL. It was an NFL record then, and is still the fourth most yards lost ever.

He led the NFL in touchdowns percentage in 1987 and 1988. Though he missed seven games in 1988, he was named to the Pro Bowl. He would attain that Pro Bowl honor for the final time of his career in 1989.

Krieg threw more interceptions than touchdowns over the next two years, though he did lead the NFL with a career best 65.6 completion percentage. In 1990, he was sacked by Hall Of Famer Derrick Thomas a record seven times in one game. Seattle decided not to renew Krieg's contract when it expired at the end of the 1991 season.

He joined the Kansas City Chiefs in 1992, and started the whole season. He led the Chiefs to ten wins, but they lost in the first round of the playoffs. The Chiefs then brought n Hall Of Fame quarterback Joe Montana for the 1993 season, relegating Krieg to backup status. Montana was injured often that year, and Krieg started six games. He also had to come off the bench in each playoff game that Kansas City played, throwing a touchdown each time.

Krieg then joined the Detroit Lions for one year in 1994. He started in the last seven games of the year, and set Lions franchise records with a quarterback rating of 101.7, which was a career best, and throwing just three interceptions all year. He led the team to a playoff birth, but they lost in the first round.

Detroit would not commit to his being named starter, so Krieg joined the Arizona Cardinals for the 1995 season. The team struggled to only four wins, and Krieg led the NFL with 53 sacks for minus 380 yards. He left Arizona at the end of the year, then joined the Chicago Bears for the 1996 season. He started 12 games for the Bears, winning six.

He then joined the Tennessee Oilers to back up Steve McNair in 1997. He did not play much that year, attempting two passes. He attempted just 21 the next season, but did lead the Oilers to a comeback win after McNair was hurt in one game. He retired after the year was completed.

Dave Kreig is not only all over the Seahawks record books, he is all over the NFL record books. He ranks 12th all-time in NFL history in passing attempts, completions, and passing yards. He is tenth all-time is passing touchdowns.

He also has the most yards lost from sacks in NFL history, and was sacked the second most ever in league history. Krieg is also third all-time with the most fumbles ever, and second in fumble recoveries.

No other Seahawk quarterback has thrown for more yards, touchdowns, interceptions, or won more games than Dave Krieg, though Matt Hasselbeck may soon to surpass the passing yardage mark.

Jim Zorn deserves mention






Fullback : John L. Williams



Williams was a first round draft pick of the Seahawks in 1986, and was the 15th player chosen overall. Though the Seattle offense featured Pro Bowl running back Curt Warner, Williams offered them a versatile dimension the team was lacking.

He was starting right away, running for 538 yards and catching 33 passes in his rookie year. It was the only season of his career that he failed to score. He piled up 500 yards the next year, despite missing four games due to injury. He had career longs on a 48 yard run and 75 yards reception.

The 1988 season may have been his best. He gained a career high 877 yards rushing at a 4.6 yards per carry average, and had 651 yards on 58 receptions. His 1,528 yards from scrimmage that year was a career high total, as was the seven touchdowns he scored that year.

He scored seven times again the next year, and he also a career high 76 receptions. He had 71 catches the next year, gaining a career high 699 yards. He also rushed for 714 yards, and was given his first Pro Bowl nod.

The 1991 season was his second and last Pro Bowl season. He gained 741 yards and had 61 receptions. He was never the same running threat again after that year, but maintained his excellence in the passing attack.

After 132 receptions and six touchdowns over the next two years, he joined the Pittsburgh Steelers for the 1994 season. He was used mainly as a pass receiver by the Steelers in his two years, catching 51 balls his first year with the team. He showed signs of slowing down in 1995, having career lows of 24 receptions and 110 rushing yards.

The Steelers made it to Super Bowl XXX that year. Williams had scored on a run in their first round playoff victory over the Buffalo Bills. Pittsburgh lost in the Super Bowl, and Williams retired at the conclusion of the game.

He leads all Seahawks running backs with 471 receptions for 4,151 yards receptions and also 123 games played. His 76 catches in 1989 is the most ever by a Seattle running back, and he owns the top three slots for receiving years by a running back. His six touchdown reception in 1989 is the most ever by a Seahawks running back.

He currently ranks third on the franchise list in receptions, fourth in rushing yards, and sixth in receiving yards.

John L. Williams is not only the best pass catching back in Seahawks history, he may be the most complete running back who ever played for them. He easily is the best fullback they ever had.

Mack Strong, Dan Doornink and David Sims all deserve mention.





Halfback : Shaun Alexander




Alexander was the Seahawks first round draft pick in 2000, and he was the 19th player chosen overall. He sat on the bench most of his rookie year, gaining 313 rushing yards.

He was eventually anointed the starter the next year, and he led the NFL with 14 rushing touchdowns. He also ran for 1,318 yards and caught 44 balls. One run went for a career long 88 yards. He scored 18 times total the next year, including having a career high 59 receptions for 460 yards.

He was awarded his first Pro Bowl honor in 2003 after gaining 1,435 rushing yards and scoring 16 times. He went back to the Pro Bowl the next year after running for 1,696 yards and leading the NFL with 20 total touchdowns.

The best year of his career was in 2005. He led the NFL with a career high 370 carries for 1,880 yards and 27 rushing touchdowns. His 28 total touchdowns led the league, and did his 117.5 rushing yards per game. He also averaged a career best 5.1 yards per carry.

He led the Seahawks into Super Bowl XL by running for 132 yards and two touchdowns in the NFC Championship Game against the Carolina Panthers. Seattle lost in the Super Bowl, even though Alexander gained 95 yards on 20 carries.

He was named Most Valuable Player of the NFL that year, and he is the only Seahawk to have ever won the award.

Seattle then signed him to the biggest contract in team history before the 2006 season. He was guaranteed $15.1 million on a eight year contract worth $62 million.He was injured that year and missed six games. He was still able to gain 896 yards in that short time. He was injured the next year again, and missed three games. Seattle, sensing he was done, then released him.

He signed with the Washington Redskins for four games in 2008, and ran for a career low 24 yards on 11 carries. Washington then cut him. Though Alexander has not officially retired, in hopes of latching on with another team, his football career appears over.

He is the franchise leader with 9,429 rushing yards, 2,176 carries, 100 rushing scores, longest run from scrimmage, rushing yards per game, total touchdowns in a career and season, rushing touchdowns in a season, rushing attempts in a season, and rushing yards in a season.

Shaun Alexander is perhaps the best running back the Seahawks ever employed.

Curt Warner, Chris Warren, Sherman Smith, and Ricky Watters deserve mention.






Wide Receiver : Brian Blades




Blades was second round draft pick by Seattle in 1988, and he was the 49th player chosen overall. He started seven games that year, but did catch a career best eight touchdowns on 40 receptions. He averaged a career high 17.1 yards per reception as well.

He started all but two games the next year, and caught 77 balls for 1,063 yards and five scores. He was given his only Pro Bowl nod that year as well.

After catching 119 balls over the next two years, he was injured in 1992 and was only able to play six games. He rebounded in 1993 by setting a then-team record of 80 receptions. He broke that record the next year with 81, as well as gaining a career best 1,086 yards. After getting 77 balls for 1,001 yards in 1995, his production began to drop off.

His next two years were bereft with injuries, and he missed five games in each year. He caught 73 balls over that time. One reception went for a career long 80 yards. He then caught a career low 15 passes the next year. It was also the only year he failed to reach the end zone. Seattle then cut him before the start of the 1999 season.

The 581 receptions for 7,620 yards that he had with Seattle is the second most ever in franchise history. His 34 receiving touchdowns ranks fifth best.

Brian Blades was a terrific possession receiver that several Seattle quarterbacks relied on yearly. After Hall Of Famer Steve Largent, he is the best receiver in Seahawks history.







Wide Receiver : Darrell Jackson




Jackson was drafted in the third round of the 2000 draft by Seattle, and was the 80th player picked overall. He ended up starting ten games that season, and caught 53 balls and six touchdowns.

Now firmly entrenched in the starting lineup, he caught 70 balls for 1,081 yards and eight scores. He had 62 catches the next year, then snagged 68 balls for 1,137 yards and nine scores in 2003. He also averaged a career best 16.7 yards per catch that year, which included a career long 80 yard catch.

His best season was in 2004. He set a team record with 87 receptions, which has now been surpassed, for a career best 1,199 yards. He also scored seven times. Jackson then got hurt in 2005, and was never quite the same again.

He caught 38 balls in the six games he played, helping Seattle reach Super Bowl XL. He tied a Super Bowl record with five receptions in the first quarter, but most Seahawks fans recall a suspect pass interference call on him in the end zone in the quarter that negated a score.

He missed three games the next year, but managed to catch a career high ten touchdown passed on 63 receptions. Seatle then traded him to the San Francisco 49ers for the 2007 season. He had 46 receptions for the 49ers that year, then was released. He signed on with the Denver Broncos 2008 season, and had a career low 12 receptions. He was released after the season, and is currently a free agent.

His 441 receptions as a Seahawk is the fourth most in team history. His 6,445 receiving yards is the third most, and his 47 touchdown receptions are the second most.

Though Seattle has had quite a few excellent receivers in their history, no one can dismiss Darrell Jackson's very productive seven years with the team. He is surely one of the best receivers to have played in Seattle.

Sam McCullum, Daryl Turner, Koren Robinson, Joey Galloway, and Bobby Engram deserve mention. Alex Bannister made the Pro Bowl as a special teams star in 2003.






Tight End : Itula Mili




Mili was drafted in the seventh round by Seattle in 1997, and he was the 174th player chosen overall. He played just seven games that year, but did manage a 20 yard reception.

Over the next three years, he was primarily a reserve. He had 41 receptions and six touchdowns over that time. He became more of a starter in 2002, when he started 12 games and had 43 receptions for a career best 508 yards. He started 12 games again the next year, and had a career best 46 receptions and four touchdowns.

He went back to being a reserve in 2004, but did start four games and have 23 receptions. He was hurt the next year, and recorded no statistics for the only time in his career. After playing ten games in 2006, catching ten balls, he was released by Seattle.

Mili's 1,743 receiving yards and 13 touchdowns are the most by any tight end in Seattle history. His 164 receptions is just two behind Christian Fauria as the most ever by a Seahawk tight end. His 46 receptions in 2003 was a team record for tight ends until it was surpassed by John Carlson in the 2008 season by nine. His four touchdown receptions in 2003 equaled a team record for tight ends set by Mike Tice in 1991 until it was surpassed by Jerramy Stephens five in 2005.

The Seahawks have mostly used the tight end as just a blocker in their 33 years of play, but no one has yet to surpass the numbers that Itula Mili put up for them.

Charle Young, Jerramy Stevens, Mike Tice, and Christian Fauria deserve mention.







Tackle : Steve August




August was the Seahawks first round draft pick in 1977, and he was the 14th player chosen overall. He spent his rookie year on the bench, seeing action in just six games.

He was named the teams starting right tackle in 1978, an honor he would hold onto the rest of his Seahawks career. He was responsible for protecting left handed quarterback Jim Zorn's blind side until 1981, and for most of 1982 and 1983.

One of the highlights of his career occurred in 1981. He caught a tipped pass and rambled nine yards before being tackles. Another highlight for him was the 1983 season, where he missed one game. The Seahawks won their first ever playoff game that year and reached the AFC Championship before losing to eventual NFL Champion Los Angeles Raiders.

After starting the first six games of 1984 for Seattle, he joined the Pittsburgh Steelers. He started one of the five games he suited up for the team. He then retired from the game.

Offensive linemen often get overlooked by fans, but their contributions are the primary reason offenses are successful. Seattle had an offense led by star running back Curt Warner and Hall Of Fame wide receiver Steve Largent, but it was because of men like Steve August that they were successful.








Tackle : Ron Essink



Essink was drafted in the tenth round of the 1980 draft, the 265th player chosen overall. He had went to college at Grand Valley State, where he was the first player from the school to be drafted and to play in the NFL.

He spent his rookie year primarily as a reserve, but he did start three times. He also caught a three yard pass for a touchdown on a tackle eligible play.

He was named a starter at left tackle the next year, and he would start in every game he played until he retired. During his time with Seattle, he helped the team win their first three playoff games. He was also an integral part of their 1984 team that won 12 games, which was the most wins in team history until they won 13 in 2005.

He was responsible for protecting right handed quarterback Dave Kreig's blindside for parts of 1980 to 1983, and in Kreig's Pro Bowl year in 1984. Essink played 12 games in 1985, but then got hurt and missed the rest of the year. He then retired from the game.

Ron Essink may be the second best left tackle in Seahawks history behind future Hall Of Famer Walter Jones.

Howard Ballard deserves mention.








Guard : Edwin Bailey



Bailey was a fifth round draft pick of the Seahawks in 1981, and he was the 114th player chosen overall. He earned a starting job right away with the team and held it until the 1983 season.

That year saw newly hired Seattle head coach Chuck Knox bring in Reggie McKenzie with him. McKenzie, a famed member of the Buffalo Bills "Electric Company", had played five years under Knox in Buffalo up until 1982.

McKenzie took over Bailey's left guard spot in 1983, but Edwin did start two games that year. Seattle ended up winning their first ever playoff games before losing in the AFC Championship to eventual NFL Champion Los Angeles Raiders.

Bailey played 12 games the next year, and started in eight. Seattle won 12 games that year, a franchise record until 2005, and won a playoff game before their season ended. McKenzie retired after that year, so Bailey was back in the starting lineup for good.

He started in every game that he played until he retired with Seattle. In 1986 he ran a ball for three yards. He ended up getting injured in 1990, and missed five games. After starting the first three games of 1991, he was injured again and missed the rest of the year. He then retired.

Edwin Bailey was a long time stalwart of the Seahawks for 11 seasons. He was a solid technician who helped lead running back Curt Warner have his best years. He is surely one of the best guards in the teams history.








Guard : Chris Gray



Gray was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 1993 draft by the Miami Dolphins. He was the 132nd player chosen overall.

He got on the field for just five games as a rookie, but started in two of the 16 games he played the next year. He earned the starting job at right guard, but missed 11 games over two years. He then joined the Chicago Bears in 1997 for eight games.

Seattle picked him up in 1998, and he started 34 games at center over the next three years. He was then moved to guard for the 2001 season, where he would stay until his retirement.

The Seahawks won a franchise record 13 games in 2005, and captured their only AFC title. Gray was a key member of an offensive line that paved the way to seeing running back Shaun Alexander won the MVP Award that season.

He suffered a back injury in 2007, and decided to retire just before the 2008 season started. He had started in every game but one for Seattle since the 2000 season.

Chris Gray was known for much more than his dependability. He was extremely versatile, and played every position on the offensive line in a Seahawks uniform. His streak of 121consecutive starts at guard/ center is a club record. He certainly is one of the best to have played in Seattle.

Bob Newton, Bryan Millard, and Pete Kendall all deserve mention.







Center : Robbie Tobeck




Tobeck joined the Atlanta Falcons in 1994 as an undrafted free agent rookie. He got on the field for five games that year.

Atlanta started him at guard the next year, a job he would hold the next three years. He did catch two passes in 1996, including one for a 14 yard touchdown. He was moved to center in 1998, where he stayed the rest of his career.

He joined the Seahawks in 2000, but got on the field for just four games. He was inserted into the starting lineup the next season, and remained there the rest of his career.

The best year of his career was in 2005, when he was named to the Pro Bowl. He is the only center in Seahawks history to have achieved this honor. Seattle won a club record 13 games that year, and reached their first Super Bowl game.

After starting the first eight games of the 2006 season, he was injured in the eight game and missed the rest of the year. He then retired as probably the best center in Seattle history.

Blair Bush and John Yarno deserve mention.

Defensive Tackle : Cortez Kennedy


This selection may seem ludicrous because Kennedy is bound for Canton soon. At the time of this publication, he has yet to be, so he makes this team easily.

He was Seattle's first round draft pick in 1990, and was the third player chosen overall. He was brought along slowly in his rookie year, starting in just two if the 16 games he played., and he recorded a career low one sack. It was the only season in which he did not start in every game that he played. Now a full time starter in 1991, he made his first Pro Bowl after getting 6.5 sacks and 73 tackles.

Kennedy had the best year of his career in 1992. He was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press after setting career high marks of 14 sacks and 92 tackles. He was named to the Pro Bowl as well as First Team All-Pro.

He was named First Team All-Pro over the following two years, as well as to the Pro Bowl, getting 10.5 sacks and 131 tackles over that time. He continued to be named to the Pro Bowl in 1995 and 1996, getting 14.5 sacks and 91 tackles total in those two years.

He was injured in 1997, and was able to play just eight games. He still had two sacks. They were the first games he had missed in his career, and it seemed to have an effect on him for the rest of his career.

Kennedy did return to the Pro Bowl in 1998 despite getting just two sacks and 30 tackles in the 15 games he played. He also took a fumble 39 yards for the only touchdown of his career. He rebounded strong the next year with 6.5 sacks, 61 tackles, and two interceptions. He was named to his last Pro Bowl as well.

Though he started in all 16 games during the 2000 season, he matched his career low of one sack and had just 32 tackles. He also snagged the last interception of his career and chugged for a career long 14 yards. After sitting out the 2001 season, he announced his retirement.

There has been no defensive tackle in Seahawks history than him. His eight Pro Bowls and three First Team All-Pro nods are both the second most in team history. His 58 sacks are the most by any defensive tackle in team history, and fourth best ever overall. His 568 career tackles also ranks fourth best in team history, and is the second most by any Seattle defensive lineman.

Cortez Kennedy is a member of the Seahawks Ring Of Honor, and is on the first team of the NFL 1990's All-Decade Team. Expect him to be one day a member of the Pro Football Hall Of Fame as well.





Defensive Tackle : Joe Nash


Nash was signed as an undrafted free agent rookie by the Seahawks before the 1982 season. He got one start that year, in the seven games that he played in the strike shortened season, and recorded a sack.

Seattle then had him start eight games the next year at nose tackle, splitting duties with Manu Tuiasosopo, and he had three sacks. Seattle won their first ever playoff game that year and eventually reached the AFC Championship before losing.

The Seahawks then decided to make him a full time starter. He responded with his only Pro Bowl season in 1984. He had seven sacks and a career best three fumble recoveries. One of the fumbles he recovered was taken in for a touchdown by him. He, along with cornerback Dave Brown and kicker Norm Johnson, made the Pro Bowl that year. It was just the third time in team history any player was given this honor.

Nash followed that up with nine sacks the next season, an excellent number for a nose tackle. He then had 10.5 sacks over the next three years, despite missing five games because on injuries.

Seattle ran their base 3-4 defense fot the last time in 1989. Nash had a stellar year, with eight sacks and a career best 92 tackles. The Seahawks then switched to the 4-3 defense in 1990 because they had just drafted defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy in the first round that year.

Now playing defensive tackle, Nash had just one sack. Seattle decided they wanted more of a pass rush the next year, so they moved defensive end Jeff Bryant into Nash's position and placed Tony Woods into Bryant's slot. It was the first year in Nash;'s career that he failed to record a sack. This experiment lasted just one year.

Defensive end Jacob Green left the team, so Bryant was inserted into his spot. Nash was starting again. He had 4.5 sacks that season. The 1993 season saw him record just half a sack, but he did intercept the only pass of his career and rumbled 13 yards for the last touchdown of his career.

After two sacks the next year, he had one in 1995. He also did not start in five games. He played in just eight games as a reserve the next season, then retired.

Joe Nash was the first defensive lineman in Seahawks history to be named to the Pro Bowl. His 218 games played in Seattle is a team record, and his 47.5 career sacks still ranks sixth best in franchise history. His 743 career tackles is the second most in team history, and the most ever by any Seahawks defensive lineman.

There has been no nose tackle in Seahawks history better than him. He was durable, strong, and an stellar sack master. He has 37.5 of his sacks playing nose tackle over seven years, which is a superb rate for the position. There is a reason the man was a fan favorite and lasted 15 years with the team. It was because he was excellent.

Sam Adams, Rocky Bernard, and John Randle deserve mention.







Defensive End : Jacob Green


Green was a first round draft pick of the Seahawks in 1980, and he was the tenth player chosen overall. He started in 13 of the 14 games he played as a rookie, then in all 16 games the following year. He had 18.5 sacks total during that time.

The NFL began keeping quarterback sacks as a statistic in the strike shortened season of 1982, and Green had three in the nine games he played that year. He had perhaps his best season the next year when he had a career high 16 sacks. He also intercepted a pass and took it a career long 79 yards for a touchdown. The Seahawks won their first ever playoff game that year and reached the AFC Championship before losing to eventual NFL Champion Los Angeles Raiders.

Teamed with 1982 first round draft pick Jeff Bryant, the two were fast becoming one of the best defensive end tandems in the league. The two would be paired up until 1992.

Green had 13 sacks and career high four fumble recoveries in 1984, then had 13.5 sacks the next year. He also scored two touchdowns. One came off a 19 yard interception return, and the other came off a 79 yard fumble recovery return. Both the touchdown off interception and fumble recovery led the NFL that year, as did his 79 yards off of fumble recoveries.

He was finally named to his first Pro Bowl in 1986 after having 12 sacks. He repeated that honor in the strike shortened 1987 season after getting 9.5 sacks in 12 games played. It would be the last time he made the Pro Bowl in his career.

Green scored the last touchdown of his career the next year, and also had nine sacks. Fans began to wonder if he was slowing down in 1997 after he had just three sacks, but he rebounded the next season with 12.5 sacks. He then had six sacks and the last interception of his career in the 1991 season.

It was also his last year in Seattle. He joined the San Francisco 49ers for the 1992 season, but suited up for two games and did not record any statistics. It is the only season of his career in which he failed to record a sack. He retired afterwards.

His 97.5 official sacks are the most in Seattle history, and was the third most at the time of his retirement. It still ranks 25th all-time. If all of his 118 career sacks counted, he would rank 14th on the all-time sacks list.

He was the first defensive end in Seahawks history to make the Pro Bowl, and his two appearances rank second most by any defensive end in team history. He is the only defensive lineman in team history with two touchdowns off of interceptions, and is tied for fifth most by and defender in franchise history. His three interceptions is tied with Cortez Kennedy as the most by any Seahawk lineman ever. His two touchdowns off of fumbles is tied with Michael Sinclair as the most ever by a Seattle defensive lineman, and is also the second most in franchise history.

Jacob Green is most likely the best defensive end that ever wore a Seahawks uniform.






Defensive End : Michael Sinclair


Sinclair was a sixth round draft pick by Seattle in 1991, and was the 155th player chosen overall. He spent his rookie year riding the bench mostly, but he did have one sack.

The next year saw him play just nine games, as he was used as pass rush specialist and had eight sacks. He had 4.5 sacks the next year in a reserve role again.

Seattle then inserted him into the starting lineup for the 1995 season, and he had 5.5 sacks. Business picked up for him the next year when he had 13 sacks and was named to his first Pro Bowl. He went back to the Pro Bowl in 1997 after getting 12 sacks and scored a touchdown off a fumble recovery.

The best year of his career may have been in 1998. He had a career best 16.5 sacks that led the NFL. He also had a career high 42 tackles.. He was named to the last Pro Bowl of his career that year as well.

He stayed with Seattle for three more years and had 13 total sacks over that time. He scored the last touchdown of his career in 2000 when he took one of his career high four fumble recoveries for a score. He signed with the Philadelphia Eagles for 2002, but played just four games. It was the only season he failed to record a sack. He then retired.

Michael Sinclair's 73.5 sacks with Seattle is the second most in franchise history. His three Pro Bowl appearances are the most by any defensive end in the teams history. He is certainly one of the best defensive ends the Seahawks ever had.

Jeff Bryant and Tony Woods deserve mentioning.







Outside Linebacker : Chad Brown


Brown was drafted in the second round of the 1993 draft by the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was the 44th player chosen overall. Pittsburgh started him in nine of the 16 games he played as a rookie at inside linebacker in the Steelers 3-4 defense. He had 3 sacks.

He stayed there for the next two seasons, getting 14 sacks and an interception. Pittsburgh advanced to Super Bowl XXX after 1995, but lost. Brown had missed six games because of injury that year, but returned in time to help Pittsburgh capture the AFC crown.

Pittsburgh moved him to outside linebacker in 1996, and he responded with a Pro Bowl year with a career high 13 sacks in the 14 games he played. He also had two interceptions and was named First Team All-Pro.

He joined the Seahawks in 1997 and had 6.5 sacks. He also led the NFL with two fumble recoveries returned for touchdowns. The 1998 season was the best of his career. Brown racked up a career best 117 tackles to go with 7.5 sacks and an interception. He was named to the Pro Bowl and First Team All-Pro.

His last year as a Pro Bowler was in 1999. He had 5.5 sacks. The next year saw him score the last touchdown of his career, off a fumble recovery, and have six sacks. After 8.5 sacks in 2001, he missed eight games because of injuries the next year. He still managed six sacks in the eight games that he did play. After seven sacks and the last interception of his career in 14 games 2003, he was only able to suit up for seven games the next year, due to injury, and have one sack.

Brown signed with the New England Patriots in 2004 and started in five games before losing his starters job. He spent the rest of the year on special teams. He rejoined the Steelers the next year and had the last sack of his career after nine games before being injured for the rest of the year. He then rejoined the Patriots for two games in 2007 before being released.

Though some may remember Brown's early years in the famed "Blitzburgh" defense the Steelers ran, he had his most productive seasons in the eight years he spent with Seattle. His three touchdowns off fumbles is the most in team history, and is tied for the third most in NFL history.

He is still ranked third in franchise history in tackles and fumble recoveries, and is fifth in sacks. His 48 sacks is the most by any linebacker in team history. His two Pro Bowl years are the most by any Seattle outside linebacker, if you do not count Rufus Porter's Pro Bowl years as a special teams contributor.

Through all the fine outside linebackers in Seahawks history, Chad Brown is probably the best ever.







Middle Linebacker : Fredd Young


Young was drafted in the third round of the 1984 draft by Seattle, and was the 78th player chosen overall. He spent his rookie year as a reserve, yet recorded a sack. He was a special teams star for the Seahawks, and became the first player in AFC history to be named to the Pro Bowl as a special teams contributor.

He was inserted into the starting line up in the third game of the next year, and responded with another Pro Bowl season. He also contributed three sacks. He played in 15 games in 1986 and had six sacks. He was also named to the Pro Bowl yet again.

The strike shortened 1987 season was his last as a Pro Bowler. He was also named First Team All-Pro. He suited up for 12 games and had a career high nine sacks. He also had the first interception of his career, which he returned 50 yards for the only touchdown of his career.

He joined the Indianapolis Colts in 1988, and stayed with them for three mostly injury plagued years that saw him miss seven games and three starts. He contributed two sacks and two interceptions, then retired after the 1990 season.

Many Seahawks fans recall Young for more than his four Pro Bowls in his four years with the team. He was a ferocious hitter whose hits are still shown on NFL Films. His three Pro Bowl appearances as a middle linebacker are tied as the most in team history with Lofa Tatupu, and tied with Julian Peterson and Tatupu as the most by any linebacker in team history.

If you count the year he made it on special teams as a linebacker, which the league does, it is the most ever in Seahawks history. His 19 sacks are the most by any middle linebacker in team history as well.

Seattle has had quite a few good middle linebackers in their history, but perhaps none are better than Fredd Young.

Keith Butler, Shelton Robinson, and Dave Wyman all deserve mention.







Outside Linebacker : Rufus Porter


Porter joined Seattle as an undrafted free agent rookie in 1988. He saw limited action on defense that year, but soon became a star on special teams. He was named to the AFC Pro Bowl Team as a special teams contributor.

Chuck Knox, the Seahawks coach, knew he had to get Porter on the field more often. Knox started him three times at linebacker in 1989, but mostly used him as a pass rushing specialist. Porter came through with a career best 10.5 sacks that year. He kept starring on special teams and was named to his second, and last, Pro Bowl. He was also named First Team All-NFL and First Team All-AFC by Pro Football Weekly.

Seattle named him a starter in 1990, but Porter missed four games because of injury. He was able to contribute five sacks and a career high four fumble recoveries. He missed one game the next year, but piled up ten sacks and had his first interception of his career.

The 1992 season was the only year of his career that he played a full season as a starting linebacker, and he had 9.5 sacks. He started in six of the seven games he played in an injury plagued 1991, getting one sack and interception. After an interception and 1.5 sacks in 15 games the next year, he joined the New Orleans Saints.

His two years with the Saints saw him miss five games and start in just 21 games. He had three sacks his first year in New Orleans and none the next year. He found himself on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1997, where he had half a sack in the 11 games he played. He then retired.

Rufus Porter's place in Seahawks is secure, and his 37.5 sacks with the team are the second most ever by any Seahawks linebacker.

Julian Peterson, Bruce Scholtz, Terry Wooden, and Anthony Simmons all deserve mentioning.






Strong Safety : Ken Easley


Easley was the first round draft pick of the Seattle Seahawks in 1981, and was the fourth player chosen overall. Blessed with great speed and a 32-inch vertical jump, the Chicago Bulls drafted him in the tenth round of the 1981 NBA Draft as well.

Seattle started him immediately, and the move paid off handsomely. He started all 14 games he played, intercepting three passes for a career high 155 yards. One was returned for a career long 82 yard touchdown. He also recovered a career high four fumbles. United Press International named him AFC Defensive Rookie of the Year.

The 1982 season in the NFL is most remembered for being shortened due to a players strike. It is also the first season Easley was named to the Pro Bowl, the second Seahawk to ever be named to a Pro Bowl in team history, after he had four interceptions and the first two sacks of his career. He would be named to the Pro Bowl for the next three seasons as well.

Not only was he awarded Pro Bowl honors over these three years, he was also named First Team All-Pro in each year. No other Seahawk defensive back has done this, and it ranks as the second most in franchise history still today. His four consecutive Pro Bowls was also a team record at the time.

The 1983 season saw Seattle hire Chuck Knox as their head coach. Easley intercepted the ball seven times and had a career best three sacks that season as the Seahawks made the playoffs for the first time ever.

The Seahawks won their first ever playoff game by walloping the Denver Broncos 31-7. Easley contributed a sack and helped stifle the Broncos all game. Seattle rode that momentum by reaching the AFC Championship before losing.

Easly had the best season of his career in 1984. He has a career high ten interceptions and two touchdowns, both of which led the NFL. Seattle also asked him to return punts that year, and he had a career high 18 returns for 194 yards. He was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year for his efforts.

The Seahawks won 12 games that year. It was the highest win total for them until their 2005 team won 13 and reached the Super Bowl. They got revenge on the Raiders in the first round of the playoffs by winning 13-7. Easley provided a key interception that was returned 26 yards to help the team. Seattle would lose the next week to the Dolphins.

He missed three games the next year, yet had two interceptions and two sacks. Though he missed six games in 1986 because of an ankle injury, he still managed two interceptions and a sack. However, the ankle injury would come back to haunt him later on in his career.

He returned to the Pro Bowl in 1987 after getting four interceptions. The ankle was still bothering him, and he missed four games. He was also held out of the starting lineup for a game for the first time since his first game in college. Seattle made the playoffs,but lost. It was the last game he ever played again.

Seattle then traded him to the Phoenix Cardinals for the rights to quarterback Kelly Stouffer. Stouffer had been the sixth player overall drafted the season before, but sat out the entire season because he and the Cardinals were unable to agree to terms of a contact.

When Easley arrived for his physical in Phoenix, the Cardinals doctors found that he had a kidney disease. It was later determined his disease stemmed from taking too many Advils when he was attempting to play on his injured ankle, which was what the Seahawks medical staff had been advising him to do over that time.

Easley was forced to retire as a player. He later settled with the team out of court over the Advil fiasco that robbed him of his kidney and playing career. He would undergo a successful kidney transplant in 1990. He was jogging within four months of the surgery, then won a golf tournament within six months.

His 32 interceptions are the fourth most in team history, and his 538 yards returned off interceptions is the third most. The three touchdowns he scored off of interceptions is the second most, and his 11 fumble recoveries is the fifth most by any Seahawks defender. No other defensive back in Seahawks history has gone to the Pro Bowl more than him, and only three other players in team history have more appearances.

Kenny Easley is a member of the Seahawks Ring Of Honor, and is a member of the NFL 1980's All-Decade First Team. He is the only member of the unit to yet be inducted into Canton.

Easley is the not only the best strong safety of the 1980's, but he is the best safety in that decade and in Seahawks history.

Robert Blackmon deserves mention.







Free Safety : John Harris


Harris was drafted in the seventh round by the Seahawks in 1978, and was the 178th player chosen overall.

He won the starting job right away and had four interceptions in his rookie year, His second season was plagued by injuries, as he was only able to start in six of the 14 games he played that year. He never missed a game or start again while he was in Seattle. He still managed two interceptions.

Following six interceptions in 1980, he had the best year of his career in 1981 while teamed with rookie Kenny Easley at safety. Harris set career highs with ten interceptions for 155 yards and two touchdowns. One interception was returned a career long 42 yards. He also recovered a career high three fumbles.

After four interceptions in 1982, he matched his career high mark of three fumble recoveries the next year, returning them for a career best 62 yards. He also had two interceptions. The Seahawks won their first ever playoff game that year and eventually reached the AFC Championship before losing

The 1984 season saw him have six interceptions and record the only quarterback sack of his career. Seattle won 12 games that year. It was the highest win total for them until their 2005 team won 13 and reached the Super Bowl. They won in the first round of the playoffs, then lost the next week.

After intercepting seven passes in 1985, he joined the Minnesota Vikings the next year. He had three interceptions but missed one start in the 16 games he played. It was the first time he had missed a start since 1979. He then started in all 12 games he played in the strike shortened 1987 season, yet he still had three interceptions.

Harris picked off three balls the next year, but missed his first three games since 1979. He also missed a start in one of those games. He retired at the conclusion of the season.

He had at least two interceptions in all of his 11 seasons in the league, and ended up with 50 in his career. His 41 interceptions in Seattle is the third most in franchise history.

John Harris teamed with Easley to give the Seahawks perhaps the best safety tandem in the league for many years, and he might be the best free safety to have ever played for the team.

Eugene Robinson and Darryl Williams also were excellent, and surely deserve mention.







Cornerback : Dave Brown



Brown was picked by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 1975 draft, and was the 26th player chosen overall.

He played sparingly at defensive back for the powerhouse Steelers at defensive back, but helped as a return specialist. He returned 22 punts for 217 yards, both are career highs, and returned the only six kickoffs of his career for 126 yards. Pittsburgh would go on to win Super Bowl X that season.

He was then picked in the 1976 Expansion Draft by the Seattle Seahawks. Though he started right away at cornerback and intercepted four balls, he also returned the last 11 punts of his career for 74 yards. He also recorded the only safety of his career.

He had four more swipes the next season, including scoring the first touchdown of his career. After 14 interceptions over the next three years, he missed his first six games of his Seattle career in 1981 after getting two interceptions. They would be the only games he missed with the Seahawks.

His best season was in 1984, which happened to be his only Pro Bowl year. It was the first time a Seahawk cornerback had been named to the Pro Bowl and All-Pro. He, along with nose tackle Joe Nash and kicker Norm Johnson, made the Pro Bowl that year. It was just the third time in team history any player was given this honor.

He had a career highs with eight interceptions for 179 yards and an NFL leading two touchdowns that came in one game.

Brown tied an NFL record with two interceptions returned for touchdowns during their November 4th, 1984 victory over the Chiefs, including a career long return of 90 yards.

Over the next two years, he had 11 interceptions and score a touchdown in each year. He was also named All-Pro in 1985. He then opted to sign with the Green Bay Packers in 1987. He missed his first four games that year for the first time since 1981, but still managed three interceptions. After three more the next year, he had six interceptions in 1989. He then retired.

Brown is seventh all-time in NFL history with 62 career interceptions. His 50 INTs as a Seahawk still stands as the team record. His five career touchdowns are the most ever by any Seattle defender.

In 1992, Brown was inducted into the Seattle's Ring of Honor.

Dave Brown may never get inducted into Canton, but his stats are certainly worthy of induction. He was solid and steady. I consider him more spectacular than flashy, even though he did score five touchdowns and have an amazing total of 62 interceptions. He always got the job done.






Cornerback : Keith Simpson


Simpson was the Seahawks first draft pick in 1978, and he was the ninth player chosen overall. Seattle used him as an extra defensive back for 13 games in his rookie year, yet he was able to intercept two balls. One was returned 40 yards for a touchdown.

He was put at strong safety the next year, and ended up staring in 11 of the 15 games he played. He swiped a career best four balls that year. His 1980 season saw him play 16 games the only time in his career, and he picked off three more passes.

Seattle was looking to upgrade their secondary and decided to move Simpson to cornerback and draft Ken Easley to play strong safety. The move was a good one for the team, and Simpson had two picks that year.

After no turnovers in the strike shortened season of 1982, Simpson had four interceptions in 1983 despite being injured much of year. He missed two games, and started just six. Seattle would go on to play the AFC Championship Game, but lose.

His best season was in 1984. He matched his career high of four interceptions, and had a career best 138 yards gained from the interceptions. He led the NFL with two touchdowns scored off of interceptions, including a career long return of 76 yards.

He lost his starting job to Terry Taylor, who was a first round draft pick in 1984, so he played as an extra defender. He failed to accrue a turnover for just the second time in his career, but he did contribute a career high three quarterback sacks. When the season was over, he retired.

Keith Simpson's 19 career interceptions still rank seventh best in Seahawk history, and his six sacks are the most recorded by any cornerback who has played in Seattle. His three touchdowns off of interceptions are the second most in team history.

His versatility and big play ability has him remembered as one of the best Seahawks defensive backs ever.

Patrick Hunter, Willie Williams, Terry Taylor, Dwayne Harper, and Shawn Springs deserve mention.











Kicker : Norm Johnson



Johnson was signed as a free agent rookie in 1982 by the Seahawks. Though he had just 43 points in the strike shortened season that was nine games long, he did complete the only pass of his career for 27 yards.

After scoring 103 the next season, he had one of the best years of his career in 1984. He scored 110 points and was named First Team All-Pro. He is still the only placekicker in Seahawks history to be named to the Pro Bowl. He, along with cornerback Dave Brown and nose tackle Joe Nash, made the Pro Bowl that year, which was just the third time in team history any player was given this honor.. His two field goals against the Los Angeles Raiders in the AFC Wildcard Game was the difference in Seattle's 13-7 victory. It was the first playoff win in the franchises history.

The 1986 season was his first that he did not miss an extra point attempt, for he had missed once in each of the four years. He also made a career best five field goals of 50 yards or longer that year on seven attempts, which led the NFL. It is also the third most by any player in NFL history.

Though the 1987 season was know for being a strike year for NFL players, Johnson sat out just two games. He then scored 177 points over the next two years, including 105 points scored in 1988.

The 1990 season was his last in Seattle, and the year he would miss an extra point attempt in his career. He made 301 consecutive extra point attempts over the next nine years, which is the third best streak in NFL history. It was also the fifth season he scored over 100 points in his nine years with the team.

He joined the Atlanta Falcons as a free agent in 1991. He scored 95 points, and ounted for the first time in his career with a 27 yard attempt. He had his last career punt attemp the next year, which went 37 yards. He also scored 93 points.

The 1993 year was his best as a Falcon, and it was the last time he would go to the Pro Bowl in his career. Johnson led the NFL in field goal percentage after missing just once in 27 attempts.After a solid 1994 year, he left the Falcons for the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The timing of the signing could not have worked out better for Pittsburgh. Johnson led the NFL with 34 field goals on 41 attempts, both of which are career best totals. He also had a career high 141 points that season, which was second behind Dallas Cowboys Hall Of Famer Emmitt Smith's 150 points. His 141 points is ranked 27th as the most points scored in a season in NFL history.

Pittsburgh would go to play in Super Bowl XXX that year, as Johnson made seven field goals in the post-season. The Steelers would lose to the Dallas Cowboys 27-17 in the game.

Johnson missed just eleven field goal attempts over the next three years, making 71 of them. Pittsburgh decided to release Johnson after 1998, when they drafted Kris Brown. The Philadelphia Eagles then signed Johnson to a contract for the 1999 season.

He was the placekicking specialist that year, while second year pro David Akers was used as a kickoff specialist. Johnson played in 15 games that year, scoring 79 points, before relinquishing his duties to Akers. He then retired.

The 810 points that Norm Johnson scored with the Seahawks is the most in franchise history. Five of his seasons are amongst the top 18 greatest scoring years in Seattle history, and his 1984 season is still ninth best.

Johnson attempted 477 field goals in his career, which is the 12th most ever in NFL history. His 366 made field goals in the tenth most ever. His 638 extra point conversions are the sixth most ever, as is his 644 extra point attempts. He ranks 21st all-time in extra point percentage, and 48th all-time in field goal percentage. It is easy to see why he was dubbed "Mr. Automatic" by Seahawks fans.

His 1,736 points is still the eight most in NFL history, though John Kasay has a chance to pass his this year. Norm Johnson spent half of his 18 year career as a Seahawk, and is the best placekicker they ever had.

Todd Peterson and Josh Brown deserve mention.

Punter : Rick Tuten


Tuten was signed as a free agent rookie by the Philadelphia Eagles for two games in the 1989 season. The Eagles used four different players that year as a punter. Tuten punted the ball seven times that year, and averaged a career low 36.6 yards per attempt. He was then released by Philadelphia.

He was signed by the Buffalo Bills two games into the season the next year. The Bills had drafted John Nies in the sixth round that year, but were unhappy with his production. They carried Tuten on the roster for a few more weeks before deciding to cut Nies. Tuten then was the punter the rest of the year, and averaged 39.8 yards on 53 attempts. Buffalo would go on to play in Super Bowl XXV that year, but would lose to the New York Giants 20-19.

Chris Mohr would replace Tuten on the Bills next year, and spend ten seasons with the team. Now a free agent again, Tuten waited for a team to give him a shot. The Seahawks 1991 season saw them already use two punters in six games, and head coach Chuck Knox was not pleased with either. Seattle then signed Tuten for the rest of the year. He averaged 43 yards on 49 punt attempts.

The Seahawks then used him a lot in 1992. He punted the ball an NFL leading 108 times, which is the fourth most in NFL history. His 4,760 yards also led the NFL, and is still the third most punting yards in a single season in NFL history.

He led the NFL in punting yards again in 1993 with 4007 yards on 90 punts. He also had the first punt of his career blocked that season.

Tuten made his only Pro Bowl squad in 1994 after punting 91 times for 3,905 yards. Tuten also scored on a two point conversion that year. He is the only punter in Seahawks history to be given a Pro Bowl honor.

He followed it up with perhaps the best season of his career in 1995. He led the NFL with a career high 45 yards per punt on 83 attempts. He also led the NFL with a career long 73 yard punt.

After having the last punt blocked of his career in 1996, Tuten was injured after 11 games the next season. The Seahawks then signed veteran Jeff Feagles during the offseason, and released Tuten. He then signed with the Saint Louis Rams for the 1998 season and punted the ball 95 times for the 4-12 Rams.

Saint Louis had a dramatic rebound in 1999, winning 16 games. Tuten was injured in the eighth game, and spent the rest of the year on injured reserve. The Rams went on to win Super Bowl XXXIV, thus giving Tuten a ring for being a member of the team. He then retired after the season.

His 554 punts for 24,266 yards are the best in Seahawks history, as is his 73 yard punt. His Seahawks career average of 43.8 y