Top 50 Seattle Seahawks in Franchise History
Coming up with the top players in a franchise's history can create an array of challenges. Some franchises have a long and storied history, rich in tradition and talented players.
Some franchises have multiple championship teams to draw from and consider, while others have been around long enough to have three or more cities that were considered "home."
Then there are the Seattle Seahawks. True fans, particularly those that have been alive and football-conscious since 1976, accept that none of those things hold true from the remote team tucked away in the Pacific Northwest. Instead, Seattle is known in the NFL as "that long road-trip" and the team that has to travel more than any other franchise.
Not much to hang one's hat on.
There has been some players to be excited about, though. Contributions made in Seattle as a Seahawk are king, here, so don't be surprised when players like Carl Eller, Franco Harris and Jerry Rice don't make the list.
50. Herman Weaver, P: 1977-1980
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The list has to start somewhere, and what better spot than one of the first guys to play the position you don't want to see take the field. And "Thunderfoot" took the field...a lot.
49. Jon Ryan, P: 2006-Present
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Despite playing an unheralded position, and being passed over for Pro Bowl recognition in favor of a punter that likes to kick the ball into the end zone, Ryan has put up some solid performances for the Seahawks.
During the 2010 season he placed 27 kicks inside the opponents 20 yard line with only one touchback. Only 35 of his 78 punts were returnable, but he did make one big mistake on the year...after being told to kick the ball away from Devin Hester.
Coach Carroll didn't need to reprimand him, though. That was handled via a wicked ear-hole block from a Bear.
48. Rick Tuten, P: 1991-1997
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Let's just get all of the punters out of the way. Rick "Bootin'" Tuten earned the slot on the 35th Anniversary Team. Together with one Pro Bowl appearance for the Seahawks, Tuten is in the lead on this list of punters. OK...that, and I was able to use a picture of him in the slide for Weaver.
Tuten's slot could change over time, though, as Ryan shows great promise.
47. Steve Broussard, KR: 1995-1998
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Broussard seems like a decent idea for the first non-punter on the list. He did enough as a kick returner to turn a few heads, and enough to make the 35th Anniversary Team. It shouldn't be long before Leon Washington moves ahead of him, though.
46. John Carlson, TE: 2008-Present
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I had to add Carlson to the list, as he is the team's representative on the 35th Anniversary Team. However, he is too young in his career to get any higher than this...particularly after a 2010 season that saw him used sparingly, in part due to poor offensive scheming and in part thanks to a bad case of the dropsies. The Seahawks really need to take fried chicken off the training table.
45. Efren Hererra, PK: 1978-1981
6 of 51Hererra makes this list not so much because of his leg, but because of his legs. The Seahawks didn't have a lot to be proud of early in the 1979, but they did play some exciting football.
Few plays are as memorable as Hererra's little legs propelling him down the field for the Seahawks. The fake FG completion was a highlight of the Seahawks' first Monday Night Football appearance, and helped them come back and beat the Atlanta Falcons 31-28.
44. Bobby Joe Edmonds, RB/PR: 1986-1988
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Bobby Joe had to make the list because he went to a Pro Bowl for Seattle and holds the team records for most punt return yards in a season (419) and a career (1,010). OK...that, and because I like the name. And because I put the next player on the list for his return skills, it wouldn't be fair to leave Bobby Joe out in the cold.
43. Nate Burleson, WR: 2006-2009
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Nate wasn't in Seattle long, but he did separate himself as a solid option at WR and as one of the league's better punt returners. That skill earned him the PR slot on the 35th Anniversary Team.
42. Warren Moon, QB: 1997-1998
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OK...so he only played two seasons in Seattle. He still made the Pro Bowl after his first year. He is still a recognized face of the team, and Seahawks fans felt a lot of pride when his Hall of Fame announcement came just prior to Super Bowl XL.
41. Sean Locklear, OT: 2004-2010
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So perhaps Locklear isn't gone...yet. But he should be recognized for his efforts. He was versatile enough to play both tackle spots and had several good seasons with the Seahawks.
He is short on awards and accomplishments, so perhaps sneaking into this list will provide some form of consolation.
40. Jon Kitna, QB: 1997-2000
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Kitna isn't ahead of Moon because he was a better QB...obviously. Nor is he here because he unseated Moon from the starter role in 1998. Kitna is here because he led the team to the playoffs.
39. Ricky Watters, RB: 1998-2001
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Even though his Pro Bowl seasons were all before he arrived in Seattle, he did have three 1,000-yard rushing seasons for the Seahawks. That earns him a spot in the top 50.
38. Grant Wistrom, DE: 2004-2006
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While Wistrom did not end up living up to, or fulfilling, his huge contract, he was a huge part of the 2005 Seahawks defense.
37. Jim Zorn, QB
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Someone had to get Largent all of those early TDs...
While many fans would like to put Zorn much higher on this list, it is mostly for reasons sentimental and not performance. Zorn wasn't a great QB, but he was the first QB for the franchise. Playing with Largent didn't exactly hurt his standing, either.
36. Daryl Turner, WR: 1984-1987
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"Burner" Turner was known for one thing...if he caught a pass, there was a decent chance it was going to go to the house. He set an NFL record for players with at least 30 TDs...scoring on 36 percent of his receptions.
He set a Seahawks rookie record with 10 TD receptions and is second all-time for the Seahawks behind Largent in YPC at over 18.5 yards. He also holds the team record for most receiving TDs in a season with 13.
Sorry for the lack of a picture for Turner...
35. Josh Brown, PK: 2003-2007
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Looking past the manner in which Brown left Seattle, the kicker was as good as the Seahawks have had during his tenure with the team. He hit four game-winning FGs during the last minute of play in the 2006 season...and three of them were from over 50 yards.
34. Norm Johnson, PK: 1982-1990
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"Mr. Automatic" represented the Seahawks in one of his two Pro Bowl appearances. He was a lifetime 76 percent FG kicker, highlighted by his 1984 campaign when he hit 50 of 51 XP and 20 of 24 FGs.
Johnson is the Seahawks PK for the 35th Anniversary Team.
33. John Randle, DT: 2001-2003
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So only one of Randle's seven Pro Bowl appearances came as a Seahawk...he was a force at DT, and respected Mike Holmgren enough to put off retirement for an extra season when Holmgren asked him for just one more season.
Randle was a fierce competitor, but a solid guy and deserving Hall of Fame inductee.
32 Jeff Bryant, DE: 1982-1993
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Some will argue Bryant needs to be higher, as he was a force for a dozen seasons with the Seahawks. I agree, but it is just hard to push anyone else down the list.
31. Bryan Millard, OG: 1984-1991
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Millard was given his chance at professional football courtesy of the USFL. He wasn't drafted by an NFL team, but the New Jersey Generals took a chance on him with a 12th-round pick.
After spending most of a season blocking for Herschel Walker (he suffered a knee injury and missed the last part of the season), Millard bolted for the NFL when the Seahawks offered him a contract.
Millard was the benchmark OL for the Seahawks prior to the dearth of talent amassed starting in 1997...the same year an NFL.com poll recognized him as the best offensive lineman to play for the Seahawks. He didn't make any Pro Bowl appearances, but he was a UPI second-team all-conference guard in 1988.
The Seahawks made him part of their 35th Anniversary Team.
30. Robbie Tobeck, C: 2000-2006
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It is hard to say what Tobeck is better remembered for as a Seahawk. Being the general of the offensive line that was the best in football in 2005, blowing open holes for Shaun Alexander, or blowing up his pants during the game in the other Washington in 2001.
For those that don't recall this bit of NFL lore, Tobeck had battled a stomach bug all week. He had already chased roommate Steve Hutchinson from the room the night before the game, and was struggling to find self-control on the field. In a 3-3 deadlock, head coach Mike Holmgren told him to "tough it out."
That didn't last long, nor did the bottle of Immodium he had chugged. While blocking Dan Wilkinson (the Redskins 335 DT), Shaun Alexander hit Tobeck in the back. It was too late for Tobeck to take advantage of the poop bucket the trainers had hid behind the team bench, but he did have to use the extra pair of pants...after he finished the series.
"I was lying on the ground, thinking, 'What do I do now?' " Tobeck recalls. "Then I was like, ‘Heck, it's only Hasselbeck—I'll stay in the game.' "
29. Joey Galloway, WR: 1995-1999
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Galloway was certainly an electric player for the Seahawks. The first four seasons he averaged just over 1,000 yards and posted 36 TDs.
It was that fifth season that didn't set well with the Seahawk faithful. Following a contract hold-out, he struggled when he returned and killed the team's momentum and failed to help the team in a close playoff game loss to the Dolphins.
What fans need to remember is the two first-round draft picks the Cowboys surrendered to get Galloway, and how they were used to select Shaun Alexander and another troubled WR...Koren Robinson. Perhaps Seahawks fans should just remember they got Alexander with a pick acquired for Galloway.
28. Darrell Jackson, WR: 2000-2006
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Jackson will be remembered for his contributions that got the team to Super Bowl XL. He will also hold a piece of Super Bowl history, as his five receptions in the first quarter set a Super Bowl record.
Seahawks fans will have a hard time forgetting his TD that was called back because of a pass interference call, and his near-catch at the goal line.
27. Shawn Springs, CB: 1997-2003
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While Springs saw some success in Seattle, he never quite lived up to the expectations of the third pick in the 1997 NFL Draft.
His best season came in his second year, when he made the Pro Bowl after grabbing seven interceptions.
Springs was named to the 35th Anniversary Team as a nickel back.
26. Joe Nash, DT: 1982-1996
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Nash spent his entire NFL career plugging holes in the middle of the defensive line and sacking QBs. He was just a tough, tough player, and set a Seahawks record by playing in 218 games in 15 seasons (14.5 per year).
Nash was part of the Seahawks 35th Anniversary Team.
25. Brian Blades, WR: 1988-1998
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Blades spent his entire NFL career with the Seahawks, gaining 7,620 receiving yards and scoring 34 TDs. He was elected to one Pro Bowl (1989).
Blades was the Seahawks' second-round draft choice in 1988 and was named to the 35th Anniversary Team.
He may be more infamously remembered for his guilty verdict in an accidental shooting death of his cousin. The verdict was vacated by the judge shortly thereafter, citing the prosecutor hadn't provided enough evidence to warrant the guilty verdict.
24. Bobby Engram, WR: 2001-2008
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Engram was known as one of the best possession receivers in the game, and was Hasselbeck's preferred target on third downs. Despite being used as a second and third receiver, he posted solid numbers as a Seahawk.
23. Howard Ballard, OT: 1994-1998
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Before Seattle had "The Ruf," they had "The House." Ballard came to Seattle following six great seasons as a Buffalo Bill. He had gone to the Pro Bowl the two years prior, but didn't quite replicate his success after becoming a Seahawk.
He was, however, a talented blocker and became part of the 35th Anniversary Team for the Seahawks.
22. Julian Peterson, LB/DE: 2006-2008
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One of Peterson's three All-Pro seasons was as a Seahawk. He appeared in three straight Pro Bowls for the Seahawks, and five in his NFL career. While some may feel this is too high for Peterson, he was 3-3 in reaching the Pro Bowl in Seattle.
Peterson became a pass rush specialist for the Seahawks, and "The Motor" was always running when he was on the field. He had 24.5 sacks in his three seasons in Seattle prior to being traded to the Detroit Lions.
21. John L. Williams, FB: 1986-1993
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Williams was a cornerstone of the Seahawk organization...not just for the way he played the game of football. Certainly, he was a hard-nosed blocker that could also make some great plays with the ball. But he was also a great citizen and team leader.
Williams represented the Seahawks in two Pro Bowls, 1990 and 1991. He was not part of the Seahawks 35th Anniversary Team, but that is likely a reflection of another beloved player having recently left the NFL due to injury. More on that to come.
20. Steve Hutchinson, OG: 2001-2005
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Despite the manner in which he left, "Hutch" was still a vital part of the Seahawks offense that went to the Super Bowl. He was elected to the Pro Bowl his final three seasons in Seattle.
19. Marcus Trufant, CB: 2003-Present
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Trufant joined the Seahawks as the 11th pick in the 2003 NFL Draft. He represented the Seahawks in the 2007 Pro Bowl.
Since his Pro Bowl season, and subsequent huge contract, Trufant has been injured and hampered in leading the Seahawk secondary. He was a member of the 35th Anniversary Team, but he'll need to show he can get back to his prior form if he is going to finish out his current contract.
Trufant has 20 INTs for the Seahawks.
18. Michael Sinclair, DE: 1991-2001
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Sinclair was a Pro Bowl DE for Seattle, representing the team in 1996, 1997 and 1998. He led the NFL in sacks in 1998 as well, posting 16.5 of them.
He will be remembered as a fierce competitor whose motor was always on. The Seahawks honored him with a spot on their 35th Anniversary Team.
17. Rufus Porter, LB: 1988-1994
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Porter was a high-motor LB for the Seahawks that made an impression on the field and on QBs. He compiled 41 sacks during his career and brought excitement to the field at a time when the Seahawks needed it.
Porter is a part of the 35th Anniversary Team and a two-time Pro Bowl participant.
16. Chad Brown, LB: 1997-2004
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Brown was a fan-favorite at the LB position, known for his ability to rush the QB, cover the run, and drop back into pass protection. He was a powerful tackler, and his prowess earned him three Pro Bowl appearances (two as a Seahawk).
Brown was named to the 35th Anniversary Team.
15. Fredd Young, ILB: 1984-1988
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Young was a third-round draft pick for the Seahawks. His prowess for big hits earned him four Pro Bowl appearances in four seasons in Seattle, and respect around the league. So much respect that Indianapolis gave up two first-round draft picks for his services.
Many long-time Seahawks fans remember him for an amazing play he never got credit for.
In a 1988 playoff game against the Houston Oilers, Young intercepted a Warren Moon pass. The officials ruled he had trapped the ball, but the replay clearly showed he had both arms under the ball. Somehow the replay official upheld the call, and the Oilers continued their drive and kicked a field goal to win the game.
Young was distraught after the game, and was forced to leave the Seahawks to join the Indianapolis Colts. Perhaps that last part was slightly fabricated...
14. Mack Strong, FB: 1993-2007
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The expression "you could have driven a semi through that hole" was made for Strong...he was often the Mack truck making the semi-sized hole for Shaun Alexander to run through.
Strong was a hard-nosed FB that sacrificed his body for the sake of the team. He was beloved by his fan base and respected by his peers.
No. 38 was a two-time Pro Bowl representative and a member of the 35th Anniversary Team.
13. Lofa Tatupu, MLB: 2005-Present
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Tatupu made a name for himself out of the gate in Seattle. He led the team in tackles as a rookie with 104. He also added four sacks and three INTs, and was a Pro Bowl selection each of his first three seasons.
Tatupu was a bit small for a MLB, entering the league at just 238 pounds. He has struggled with injuries in recent years, limiting his performance.
One intriguing stat is he was the Seahawks leading receiver in a 2007 contest vs. the Philadelphia Eagles. He intercepted three balls and had a total of 110 return yards, and was just one yard shy of Kevin Curtis' game-high 111 yards.
Tatupu seems to have one last chance in 2011 to show he can be a healthy contributor for the Seahawks, or his former college coach will have a tough decision to make with the talented heart of the Seahawk defense.
12. Chris Warren, RB: 1990-1997
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Warren had four consecutive 1,000 yard seasons for the Seahawks, starting with 1,017 in 1992. He had three straight Pro Bowl selections, starting with the 1993 season.
His highlight was the 1994, when he rushed for over 1,500 yards. He followed that up with a 15-TD performance in 1995.
12 B: The Fans
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Granted, the 12th man likely deserves his own spot in the rankings, and perhaps much higher than this. What other crowd has triggered an earthquake with their noise?
The Seahawks have as big a home field advantage as there is in the NFL. It almost seems like the fans should be on the Seahawks payroll, not the other way around.
11. Dave Krieg, QB: 1980-1991
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Krieg was a three-time Pro Bowl selection, and led the Seahawks to their first playoff appearance in 1983, eventually losing the the Oakland Raiders in the AFC Championship Game. He led the team to their first division title in 1988, and set numerous team records. He is also in the top 15 for several key NFL statistics.
Krieg was allowed to leave as a free agent after the 1991 season. New GM Tom Flores opted to go with untested QB Dan McGwire and the unsuccessful Kelly Stouffer, prompting many fans to question the intent of new owner Ken Behring.
Krieg was added to the Seahawks Ring of Honor in 2004.
10. Curt Warner, RB: 1983-1989
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Warner was the first great RB the Seahawks had, and he changed their fortunes almost overnight. He was elected to three Pro Bowls, including his rookie season when he led the AFL in rushing yards.
Warner retired after eight seasons, seven with the Seahawks. He had 6,844 rushing yards, 1,467 receiving yards and 63 touchdowns.
Warner was inducted into the Seahawks Ring of Honor in 1994.
9. Shaun Alexander, RB: 2000-2007
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Some will take issue with Alexander making the top-10 of the greatest Seahawks players. Critics give his offensive line credit for his MVP season in 2005...though those same detractors certainly cheered him on and joined in the chants of "MVP, MVP, MVP," late in the season.
Alexander set a record for most TDs in a season with 28, tying Priest Holmes' record of 27 rushing TDs. He finished his career with 112 TDs and 10,973 yards from scrimmage. He was also the leading rusher in Super Bowl XL with 95 yards.
Alexander's legacy may have a few clouds over it, as he wore down and played injured late in his career. However, his efforts in leading the Seahawks to an NFC Championship should not be ignored or overshadowed.
Alexander was part of the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team and beat out Curt Warner for the Seahawks 35th Anniversary Team.
8. Matt Hasselbeck, QB: 2001-Present
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I promise that there were no shenanigans involved in having No. 8 end up in the eighth spot. While that sounds like something I would do, it just so happened to work out that way. I didn't even realize it until I just now added the ordinals to the list. OK, perhaps I dropped him one spot.
Hasselbeck gets some recognition as the only QB to lead the team to the Super Bowl. Granted, much of that had to do with the rest of the offense, and the defense player their part.
However, it is hard to ignore that Hasselbeck has been the team leader for the best decade in franchise history. He became the face of the franchise at a time when the franchise needed to get out of the shadows of Ken Behring.
2011 may have been Hasselbeck's last season in Seattle. He has likely done enough to be added to the Seahawks Ring of Honor after he retires from the game. He made three Pro Bowls, and set most meaningful team passing records. He also holds the team record for most non-contact injuries while scoring a TD.
7. Eugene Robinson, S: 1985-1995
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The Seahawk record holder for most career tackles, the hard-hitting Robinson anchored the defense for 11 seasons with two Pro Bowl selections. He was a feared free safety, as he could break up passes and offer stout run support.
Robinson was named to the 35th Anniversary Team in recognition of what he did on the field. We won't talk about off-field issues after he left the Seahawks, and an incident involving an undercover police officer the very night he accepted the Bart Starr Award for high moral character from the Christian group, Athletes in Action.
6. Dave Brown, CB: 1976-1986
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Brown was placed in Seattle's "Ring of Honor" in 1992. He holds the Seahawks record for most INTs with 50, and amassed 62 during his career.
While most Seahawks fans have a strong dislike for all things Steelers, they can be thankful that Pittsburgh left Brown exposed in the expansion draft. And Brown will always have his Super Bowl win in 1975.
5. Jacob Green, DE: 1980-1992
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Green was selected 10th overall in the 1980 NFL Draft by the Seahawks. He played in two Pro Bowls (1986, '87).
Green went on to set the franchise record for sacks, but he isn't fully credited for his efforts. Sacks didn't become an official stat until 1982, so Green is credited for 97.5 thereafter. His unofficial total is 116, placing him behind Reggie White and Lawrence Taylor for the all-time sack leaders.
4. Kenny Easley, DB: 1981-1987
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Easley's contributions to the Seahawks were numerous. He was the AFC Defensive Rookie of the Year (DROY) in 1981, and followed that up with AFC Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) in 1983.
He one-upped himself in 1984, recording 10 INTs en route to NFL DPOY. He was also elected to the 1980s All Decade Team despite leaving the league early in his career due to kidney failure. A lawsuit against the Seahawks, claiming an overdose of Advil for his 1996 ankle injury, was settled out of court.
Easley was placed in the Seahawks Ring of Honor in 2002.
3. Cortez Kennedy, DT: 1990-2000
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The only thing that hampered Kennedy's performance in Seattle was a contract holdout after being drafted third overall in the 1990 NFL Draft. He didn't join the team until two days before their first game, and he never got up to speed as a rookie.
He responded in 1991, making the first of his eight Pro Bowl selections. The following season he was voted the NFL DPOY, despite Seattle finishing with a 2-14 record. He was also part of the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team.
Kennedy was added to the Seahawks Ring of Honor in 2006.
2. Steve Largent, WR: 1976-1989
50 of 51Largent held most meaningful reception records when he retired, and put up a lot of receptions playing on a bad expansion team.
It would have been interesting to see what he could have done with an established QB, offensive line, and ground game early in his career.
He is remembered by a lot of fans for a certain hit on a certain S with a history of taking cheap shots on WRs...Largent included. The above clip will be a nice trip down memory lane for Seahawks fans, and if you watch any video on Bleacher Report this year, this is the one to watch.
Some of Largent's accomplishments include:
- Seven Pro Bowl selections (1978, 1979, 1981, 1984,1985, 1986, 1987
- NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
- 1996 People Magazine "Most Beautiful People"
- 1988 Walter Payton Man of the Year
Largent was named to the Seahawks 35th Anniversary Team and was added to the Ring of Honor in 1989. Many people consider him to be the best Seahawk of all time, and his records at retirement support that argument.
However, few people would consider him the best player at his position of all time, and the top player on this list gets that level of recognition...
1. Walter Jones, LT: 1997-2009
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He's not in the Hall of Fame, or even the Seahawks Ring of Honor...yet. He will be a first-ballot selection, though, as he's one of the best OTs to ever play the game. At one point he was named the best player in the NFL, and many experts consider him to be the best LT of all time.
He was elected to nine Pro Bowls, made the 2000s All-Decade Team, the Seahawks 35th Anniversary Team, and had his jersey retired last season.
Walter Jones will be remembered as the prime example of a LT, and for that he earns to top spot for the Greatest Seahawks Players.
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