Tag Archives: Earl Thomas

State of the team, Week 15: L.A. Rams

End of an era? Not yet

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Logo -- Los AngelesTwo weeks ago, Seattle knocked off the high-flying Philadelphia Eagles, and it sure looked like the Seahawks were getting ready to spread their wings for another long postseason flight.

Even a 30-24 loss in Jacksonville last week did nothing to shake the faith — the Seahawks basically beat themselves thanks to Russell Wilson’s overly aggressive interceptions and a few other mistakes.

There was plenty of reason to think they could beat the Rams at home and take control of the NFC West. And even if they had lost by just a touchdown, it wouldn’t have been unexpected or created a huge stir beyond the uphill battle to make the playoffs.

But a 42-7 demolition has raised a ton of questions about the future of these Seahawks.

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Injury report, Week 11: Atlanta

Is Chancellor out for the year, too?

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Seahawks bandagesThe Legion of Boom took a double whammy last Thursday, losing both Richard Sherman and Kam Chancellor.

Sherman is out for the season, recovering from surgery on his Achilles and looking toward a return next spring. Chancellor apparently could be following him.

It sounds like the strong safety is out this week with the stinger (i.e., nerve issue) suffered against Arizona, and rumors are flying that he could be out for the season as well.

Pete Carroll said he was still undergoing tests this week and his prognosis was unclear. It sounds like his injury might not be as serious as the one that sidelined Cliff Avril earlier this season and has Avril considering his football future. But the loss of Chancellor would be another tough blow — making him the third starter gone from Seattle’s star-studded defense.

Continue reading Is Chancellor out for the year, too? →

The roster

Sherman not going anywhere in 2018

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Seahawks bandagesContrary to some thoughts, Richard Sherman is not going anywhere.

The Seahawks are not going to cut him, because they never do that to injured stars. And they’re now not going to consider trading him, because his Achilles injury has stunted his value.

The Seahawks are going to do what they always do with valued players who get hurt: Help him rehab and come back stronger than ever in 2018.

Continue reading Sherman not going anywhere in 2018 →

Week 5: At Los Angeles

A win vs. Rams is worth celebrating — no matter how it happened

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At Los Angeles logoThe Seahawks had lost three straight games at the Rams and four of the past six meetings overall, so the fact that Seattle finally managed to steal one on the road against them is cause for major celebration.

Forget the typically poor offensive performance — the Rams always dominate the Hawks’ offense. Forget the fact that the Hawks were outgained 375 yards to 241. Forget that they rushed for under 100 yards for the fourth straight time vs. the Rams.

Instead, focus on the fact that the Hawks avoided falling two games behind the Rams in the NFC West. Focus on the five takeaways, including two each by Earl Thomas and Sheldon Richardson. Focus on the fact that Seattle kept the Rams out of the end zone in all five red-zone possessions.

Continue reading A win vs. Rams is worth celebrating — no matter how it happened →

Week 1: At Green Bay

Home field already on the line as Hawks open with familiar Pack

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Seahawks at Packers helmetsOne game won’t decide a season, but — if the Seahawks and Packers are really the two best teams in the NFC, as Vegas thinks — home-field advantage might already be on the line when they open the season Sunday.

And that means the Seahawks are going to need to buck some bad history at Lambeau Field.

The Seahawks have lost seven straight games in Green Bay, by an average of 18.9 points. That includes last December, when Russell Wilson threw five interceptions in a 38-10 blowout that was the Hawks’ worst loss since 2011.

As we have chronicled previously, the Seahawks and Packers have been one of the best non-division rivalries in the NFL for the past two decades. This will be the sixth meeting in six years and the 14th since 1999 (the Hawks are 4-1 at home, 1-7 at Lambeau).

On top of that, they still have a thriving pipeline — Eddie Lacy the latest to go from one team to the other. He’ll face his former Packers teammates Sunday.

Continue reading Home field already on the line as Hawks open with familiar Pack →

Contracts, The roster

Roster set through 2018, but then what?

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Training camp logo2When the Seahawks drafted four defensive backs in April, Pete Carroll said the new crew might end up being the best bunch of backups in the NFL over the next couple of years.

That’s because Carroll knew he wasn’t ready to blow up the Legion of Boom quite yet. The new deal given to Kam Chancellor this week proves that.

With Chancellor signed (through 2020), Seattle’s elite starting defense is set to remain intact for the next two seasons (unless Richard Sherman gets traded).

The Seahawks are quickly approaching a crossroads, though — the point where they will have to start moving on from some of their longtime core players if they are going to remain competitive.

Continue reading Roster set through 2018, but then what? →

State of the team, Training camp

3 keys to the 2017 season

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Training camp logo2The Seahawks began training camp today with some pretty simple edicts: Build an offensive line, foster better depth and recreate the chemistry that helped them to Super Bowls in 2013 and 2014.

The Seahawks have been one of the best teams in the league the last five years — No. 3 in wins (56) behind New England (62) and Denver (59) — but they have been on a steady decline since winning Super Bowl XLVIII.

After winning 36 games from 2012 to 2014, the Seahawks have won 20 over the past two years. Double-digit wins are always a sign of success, but it has been a disappointment to see the Seahawks fade — from the Patriots’ 1-yard line in XLIX to bad playoff losses the last two years.

This year they have to reverse the trend. There are three keys to doing it:

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CHAWK LINES, Minicamp
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CHAWK LINES -- Seahawks OTAs & minicamp

Michael Bennett and Richard Sherman both backed Russell Wilson in the wake of rift reports.

Bennett also shared more of his life philosophies (most of which make great sense).

Sherman came across as happy and ready to be a team player again.

Sherman’s attitude was one of several reasons Pete Carroll called it a “very successful offseason.”

Carroll said Jimmy Graham and Earl Thomas were the most impressive players this offseason.

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NFL draft, The roster, Trades

Great time to find some new Legionnaires

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NFL draftDRAFT COUNTDOWN: 3 weeks. Every Friday until the April 27-29 draft, we look at draft topics related to the Seahawks.

Whether the Seahawks trade Richard Sherman or not this year, the admission by Pete Carroll and John Schneider that the Hawks are fielding offers for the All-Pro is a sign that the Legion of Boom is at a crossroads.

Even if Earl Thomas comes back better than ever, Kam Chancellor gets his contract extension and Sherman avoids a trade, it is clear the end is approaching for the fabled unit. And, as it turns out, this is a great year to find heirs apparent in the draft.

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State of the team, Trades

If Sherman keeps putting self above team, he will be gone by next year

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Hawks vs Packers Sherman all alone“I wouldn’t want to leave this city and my guys, but I understand it’s a business and organizational philosophies change.” — Richard Sherman to 710 ESPN.

Pete Carroll’s philosophy has not changed at all.

One of his main mantras for his players is: “Protect the team.” Richard Sherman has not done that over the past year, despite several admonishments by Carroll, and that is why the Seahawks are willing to trade him — for the right price.

Sherman, a four-time Pro Bowl player and three-time No. 1 All-Pro, has become one of those egomaniacs we usually see on other teams — the prima donna receiver or cornerback who thinks the team and world revolve around him.

That’s not how Carroll’s Seahawks work, and Carroll has made that clear to Sherman — privately and publicly.

So this is his warning: Rein it in and become a team player again or follow former clubhouse cancer Percy Harvin out the door.

Continue reading If Sherman keeps putting self above team, he will be gone by next year →