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Clayton: Seahawks hire Bevell as offensive coordinator
ESPN's John Clayton is reporting Thursday that the Seahawks have hired Darrell Bevell as their offensive coordinator.
According to the report, Bevell agreed to a two-year deal with an additional option year.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll confirmed Wednesday that Bevell was in town for an interview. Clayton reported later Wednesday that Bevell had been offered the job.
Bevell replaces Jeremy Bates, Seattle's first-year offensive coordinator who was fired on Tuesday after overseeing a struggling offense that featured the second-worst rushing offense in the NFL.
http://blog.seattlepi.com/football/archives/236422.asp
ESPN's John Clayton is reporting Thursday that the Seahawks have hired Darrell Bevell as their offensive coordinator.
According to the report, Bevell agreed to a two-year deal with an additional option year.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll confirmed Wednesday that Bevell was in town for an interview. Clayton reported later Wednesday that Bevell had been offered the job.
Bevell replaces Jeremy Bates, Seattle's first-year offensive coordinator who was fired on Tuesday after overseeing a struggling offense that featured the second-worst rushing offense in the NFL.
http://blog.seattlepi.com/football/archives/236422.asp
Seahakws.com passes out some honors for the just-completed season:
Best offensive player: Matt Hasselbeck. In the end, the team’s 35-year-old quarterback was at his best, passing for seven touchdowns and throwing one interception in the two postseason games. Like the rest of the team, Hasselbeck struggled down the stretch (10 interceptions vs. four TD passes in Weeks 12-15). But he played his best game (four TD passes, 113.0 passer rating) in the biggest game (the upset over the Saints in the playoff opener). Along the way, Hasselbeck passed for 3,000 yards for the seventh time in his 10 seasons with the club and also won his 74th game (including playoffs) – both franchise records. Honorable mention to Mike Williams, who led the team with 65 receptions; and Ben Obomanu, who went from No. 5 receiver to starting flanker and responded with 14 of his 30 receptions in a three-game stretch at midseason and five more in the division-clinching win over the Rams.
Best defensive player: Chris Clemons. He was, in a word, relentless as the “Leo” end in coach Pete Carroll’s defense. No one was quite sure what to expect from Clemons after he was acquired in a March trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, because he never had been a fulltime player in his previous five NFL seasons – with three other teams. But Clemons exceeded expectations by delivering a career-high 12 sacks, a team-high 22 QB hits and also finishing first among the D-linemen in tackles (48). Honorable mention to David Hawthorne, who moved to weak-side linebacker and led the team in tackles (105) for the second consecutive season.
Best special teams player: Leon Washington. He had more competition than Hasselbeck or Clemons, but what Washington did after missing most of last season with a severely broken right leg that needed surgery nudged toward miraculous. Washington led the NFL with three kickoff returns for touchdowns, while also averaging 25.6 yards on kickoff returns and 11.3 yards on punt returns. Honorable mention to Craig Terrill, who blocked three field goals; and Matt McCoy, who led the team with 19 coverage tackles.
Best rookie: Earl Thomas. The obviously talented free safety intercepted five passes to tie the club rookie record. But he actually developed into a better player down the stretch, when he had only one pick in the final 10 games. His tackling improved, and so did his instincts. Thomas was second on the team in passes defensed (10) and fifth in tackles (71).
Best free-agent acquisition: Mike Williams. What a story he turned out to be. A former Top 10 draft choice who was out of the league for two seasons. Invited to a minicamp, on a tryout basis. Not only signed, but replaced the since-jettisoned T.J. Houshmandzadeh as the starting split end. Led the team in receptions, including a two-game stretch where he caught 21 passes. Signed a three-year contract extension last month. Good stuff, from start to finish. Honorable mention to defensive end Raheem Brock, who finished second on the team to Clemons in sacks (nine) and QB hits (21) during the regular season and then added two more sacks and three more QB hits in the postseason.
Best player acquired in a trade: Clemons and Washington. It should one just one, but it’s impossible to pick one over the other. So think of it as one defense, one offense/special teams. Or, one mid-March and one late-April. Washington was acquired in a draft-day trade with the New York Jets, who gave up on him despite the fact that he has been to the Pro Bowl as the AFC kick returner in 2007. Washington could have gone again this season, expect for some guy named Devin Hester.
Best in-season acquisition: Brandon Stokley. With apologies to Marshawn Lynch, who came over in a bye-week trade with the Buffalo Bills and led the team in rushing, Stokley provided the passing game with a missing – and needed – piece: An experienced pair of hands working from the slot. Stokley caught 43 passes, including playoff games, and 30 produced third downs. As Hasselbeck put it, “Brandon was the missing piece, really.”
Player they missed the most: Red Bryant. When just-departed defensive line coach Dan Quinn decided to move the little-used tackle to the five-technique end spot, there were some dubious “what he is doing?” thoughts. The way Bryant played in the first six games it showed that Quinn knew exactly what he was doing. With Bryant, the run defense ranked second in the league. Without him, the run defense slid to 21st. Honorable mention to guard Max Unger, who went out in the opener with a toe injury that needed surgery and ended his season.
Best assistant coach: Brian Schneider. The special teams were the Seahawks’ best and most consistent units all season, and Schneider and assistant Jeff Ulbrich were a big reason why. In addition to Washington, Terrill and McCoy, kicker Olindo Mare scored 106 points in the regular season (25 of 30 on field goals, 31 PATs) and was sixth in the league with 20 touchbacks on kickoffs; punter Jon Ryan had 27 of his punts inside the opponents’ 20-yard line, with only one touchback; while Kam Chancellor, Jordan Babineaux, Will Herring and a host of others joined McCoy in comprising some of the best coverage units in the league.
Best milestone achievement: Lawyer Milloy. In his 15th NFL season, during which he turned 37, the veteran strong safety continued to play at a level that defied his age – and played to his experience. He tied for second on the team in tackles (88), but even more noteworthy – and, yes, remarkable – were the facts that Milloy became the 11th player in NFL history with at least 20 career interceptions and sacks, and also started his 200th game.
Best performance in a relief role: Charlie Whitehurst. If the Seahawks had not beaten the Rams in their regular-season finale, there would not have been the wild-card playoff game against the Saints at Qwest Field the following week. With Hasselbeck hobbled by strained muscles in his left hip and buttock, Whitehurst made his second NFL start one to remember. He was efficient and, more importantly against the pressure the Rams brought, elusive in completing 22 of 36 passes for 192 yards and a touchdown.
All 11 of the Seahawks offensive players gathered in the end zone after Lynch's touchdown, with quarterback Matt Hasselbeck leading the cheers.
Best win: New Orleans. No one gave the 7-9 Seahawks a prayer against the Saints, not only 11-5 but the defending Super Bowl champs and 34-19 winners over the Seahawks in Week 11 at the Superdome. No one except the Seahawks, that is. They came into the wild-card playoff game with nothing to lose, and played loose. Hasselbeck passed for four touchdowns. Lynch broke his instant-classic 67-yard TD run. The defense made just enough plays to weather the storm that was Drew Brees passing for 404 yards. It was a milestone moment in the 35-year history of the Seahawks.
Worst loss: Oakland Raiders. The 33-3 score was bad enough. But it’s also the game when Bryant and nose tackle Colin Cole when down with injuries – Bryant for the season, Cole for five games. By the time the dust generated by opposing running backs had settled, the Seahawks’ second-rank run defense had slipped to 21st and the team had lost seven of nine games.
Best stat: 3. The number of kickoff returns for touchdowns by Washington, which lifted him to No. 2 all-time with seven for his career. But it’s also the number of blocked field goal by Terrill, which lifted him into a tie with Joe Nash for the club career (eight) and single-season records.
Worst stat: 89.0. The Seahawks’ average rushing yards per game. It was the fourth lowest in franchise history, and not even close to what Carroll envisioned when he talked about having a balanced offense starting from the day he was introduced as coach last Jan. 11.
Most telling stat: Minus-9. The Seahawks’ turnover ratio. As Carroll preaches, “It’s all about the ball.” The sermon fell too often on deaf ears. Of the Seahawks’ 22 takeaways during the regular season, 16 came in their seven wins. Of their 31 giveaways, 23 came in their nine losses. Need we say more?
Most boggling stat: 284. The number of transitions and roster moves made from the time Carroll and general manager John Schneider were hired last January. The term “team in transition” does not do justice to what these two were up to all offseason and all season. Need we say more, part II?
http://blog.seahawks.com/2011/01/20/the-envelope-please/
Best offensive player: Matt Hasselbeck. In the end, the team’s 35-year-old quarterback was at his best, passing for seven touchdowns and throwing one interception in the two postseason games. Like the rest of the team, Hasselbeck struggled down the stretch (10 interceptions vs. four TD passes in Weeks 12-15). But he played his best game (four TD passes, 113.0 passer rating) in the biggest game (the upset over the Saints in the playoff opener). Along the way, Hasselbeck passed for 3,000 yards for the seventh time in his 10 seasons with the club and also won his 74th game (including playoffs) – both franchise records. Honorable mention to Mike Williams, who led the team with 65 receptions; and Ben Obomanu, who went from No. 5 receiver to starting flanker and responded with 14 of his 30 receptions in a three-game stretch at midseason and five more in the division-clinching win over the Rams.
Best defensive player: Chris Clemons. He was, in a word, relentless as the “Leo” end in coach Pete Carroll’s defense. No one was quite sure what to expect from Clemons after he was acquired in a March trade with the Philadelphia Eagles, because he never had been a fulltime player in his previous five NFL seasons – with three other teams. But Clemons exceeded expectations by delivering a career-high 12 sacks, a team-high 22 QB hits and also finishing first among the D-linemen in tackles (48). Honorable mention to David Hawthorne, who moved to weak-side linebacker and led the team in tackles (105) for the second consecutive season.
Best special teams player: Leon Washington. He had more competition than Hasselbeck or Clemons, but what Washington did after missing most of last season with a severely broken right leg that needed surgery nudged toward miraculous. Washington led the NFL with three kickoff returns for touchdowns, while also averaging 25.6 yards on kickoff returns and 11.3 yards on punt returns. Honorable mention to Craig Terrill, who blocked three field goals; and Matt McCoy, who led the team with 19 coverage tackles.
Best rookie: Earl Thomas. The obviously talented free safety intercepted five passes to tie the club rookie record. But he actually developed into a better player down the stretch, when he had only one pick in the final 10 games. His tackling improved, and so did his instincts. Thomas was second on the team in passes defensed (10) and fifth in tackles (71).
Best free-agent acquisition: Mike Williams. What a story he turned out to be. A former Top 10 draft choice who was out of the league for two seasons. Invited to a minicamp, on a tryout basis. Not only signed, but replaced the since-jettisoned T.J. Houshmandzadeh as the starting split end. Led the team in receptions, including a two-game stretch where he caught 21 passes. Signed a three-year contract extension last month. Good stuff, from start to finish. Honorable mention to defensive end Raheem Brock, who finished second on the team to Clemons in sacks (nine) and QB hits (21) during the regular season and then added two more sacks and three more QB hits in the postseason.
Best player acquired in a trade: Clemons and Washington. It should one just one, but it’s impossible to pick one over the other. So think of it as one defense, one offense/special teams. Or, one mid-March and one late-April. Washington was acquired in a draft-day trade with the New York Jets, who gave up on him despite the fact that he has been to the Pro Bowl as the AFC kick returner in 2007. Washington could have gone again this season, expect for some guy named Devin Hester.
Best in-season acquisition: Brandon Stokley. With apologies to Marshawn Lynch, who came over in a bye-week trade with the Buffalo Bills and led the team in rushing, Stokley provided the passing game with a missing – and needed – piece: An experienced pair of hands working from the slot. Stokley caught 43 passes, including playoff games, and 30 produced third downs. As Hasselbeck put it, “Brandon was the missing piece, really.”
Player they missed the most: Red Bryant. When just-departed defensive line coach Dan Quinn decided to move the little-used tackle to the five-technique end spot, there were some dubious “what he is doing?” thoughts. The way Bryant played in the first six games it showed that Quinn knew exactly what he was doing. With Bryant, the run defense ranked second in the league. Without him, the run defense slid to 21st. Honorable mention to guard Max Unger, who went out in the opener with a toe injury that needed surgery and ended his season.
Best assistant coach: Brian Schneider. The special teams were the Seahawks’ best and most consistent units all season, and Schneider and assistant Jeff Ulbrich were a big reason why. In addition to Washington, Terrill and McCoy, kicker Olindo Mare scored 106 points in the regular season (25 of 30 on field goals, 31 PATs) and was sixth in the league with 20 touchbacks on kickoffs; punter Jon Ryan had 27 of his punts inside the opponents’ 20-yard line, with only one touchback; while Kam Chancellor, Jordan Babineaux, Will Herring and a host of others joined McCoy in comprising some of the best coverage units in the league.
Best milestone achievement: Lawyer Milloy. In his 15th NFL season, during which he turned 37, the veteran strong safety continued to play at a level that defied his age – and played to his experience. He tied for second on the team in tackles (88), but even more noteworthy – and, yes, remarkable – were the facts that Milloy became the 11th player in NFL history with at least 20 career interceptions and sacks, and also started his 200th game.
Best performance in a relief role: Charlie Whitehurst. If the Seahawks had not beaten the Rams in their regular-season finale, there would not have been the wild-card playoff game against the Saints at Qwest Field the following week. With Hasselbeck hobbled by strained muscles in his left hip and buttock, Whitehurst made his second NFL start one to remember. He was efficient and, more importantly against the pressure the Rams brought, elusive in completing 22 of 36 passes for 192 yards and a touchdown.
All 11 of the Seahawks offensive players gathered in the end zone after Lynch's touchdown, with quarterback Matt Hasselbeck leading the cheers.
Best win: New Orleans. No one gave the 7-9 Seahawks a prayer against the Saints, not only 11-5 but the defending Super Bowl champs and 34-19 winners over the Seahawks in Week 11 at the Superdome. No one except the Seahawks, that is. They came into the wild-card playoff game with nothing to lose, and played loose. Hasselbeck passed for four touchdowns. Lynch broke his instant-classic 67-yard TD run. The defense made just enough plays to weather the storm that was Drew Brees passing for 404 yards. It was a milestone moment in the 35-year history of the Seahawks.
Worst loss: Oakland Raiders. The 33-3 score was bad enough. But it’s also the game when Bryant and nose tackle Colin Cole when down with injuries – Bryant for the season, Cole for five games. By the time the dust generated by opposing running backs had settled, the Seahawks’ second-rank run defense had slipped to 21st and the team had lost seven of nine games.
Best stat: 3. The number of kickoff returns for touchdowns by Washington, which lifted him to No. 2 all-time with seven for his career. But it’s also the number of blocked field goal by Terrill, which lifted him into a tie with Joe Nash for the club career (eight) and single-season records.
Worst stat: 89.0. The Seahawks’ average rushing yards per game. It was the fourth lowest in franchise history, and not even close to what Carroll envisioned when he talked about having a balanced offense starting from the day he was introduced as coach last Jan. 11.
Most telling stat: Minus-9. The Seahawks’ turnover ratio. As Carroll preaches, “It’s all about the ball.” The sermon fell too often on deaf ears. Of the Seahawks’ 22 takeaways during the regular season, 16 came in their seven wins. Of their 31 giveaways, 23 came in their nine losses. Need we say more?
Most boggling stat: 284. The number of transitions and roster moves made from the time Carroll and general manager John Schneider were hired last January. The term “team in transition” does not do justice to what these two were up to all offseason and all season. Need we say more, part II?
http://blog.seahawks.com/2011/01/20/the-envelope-please/
You knew it had to happen sometime. This week, Jake Locker is the flavor of the day for the Seattle Seahawks, just a week after Mel Kiper said his sources were telling him the Seahawks preferred Ryan Mallett to Locker in the 2011 NFL Draft. In today’s newest NFL mock draft, Locker is the pick for the Seahawks, heading to Seattle with the 25th pick in the draft.
With Locker at No. 25, Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett exits the first round. SB Nation is projecting only three quarterbacks taken in the first 32 picks — Cam Newton, Blaine Gabbert and Locker. Gabbert is first off the board, as expected, heading to Tennessee with the eighth pick.
The reasons for the Seahawks to pick Locker are simple. The Seahawks need a quarterback of the future and Locker could be that answer, according to SB Nation. With Hasselbeck likely back in a Seahawks uniform next year, Locker would have time to develop without the pressure of taking the reins right away.
http://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle...k-draft-jake-locker-seahawks-pick-senior-bowl
With Locker at No. 25, Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett exits the first round. SB Nation is projecting only three quarterbacks taken in the first 32 picks — Cam Newton, Blaine Gabbert and Locker. Gabbert is first off the board, as expected, heading to Tennessee with the eighth pick.
The reasons for the Seahawks to pick Locker are simple. The Seahawks need a quarterback of the future and Locker could be that answer, according to SB Nation. With Hasselbeck likely back in a Seahawks uniform next year, Locker would have time to develop without the pressure of taking the reins right away.
http://seattle.sbnation.com/seattle...k-draft-jake-locker-seahawks-pick-senior-bowl
On Thursday morning Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck joined the crowd of NFL players who took on Antonio Cromartie for making comments critical of the NFL Players’ Association.
And then Hasselbeck thought better of it.
On his verified Twitter account, Hasselbeck wrote, “Somebody ask Cromartie if he knows what CBA stands for.” It was a clear shot at Cromartie for saying this week that the players’ union’s leadership is “acting like an a–hole.”
But Hasselbeck has now deleted that Tweet. Maybe because he realized that one union member publicly insulting another union member is not the best way for the union to show unity. Or maybe because he realized that he’s in the same boat as Cromartie: They’ll both be free agents in March, and neither one of them will be able to sign a new contract or collect a signing bonus if there’s a work stoppage.
And then Hasselbeck thought better of it.
On his verified Twitter account, Hasselbeck wrote, “Somebody ask Cromartie if he knows what CBA stands for.” It was a clear shot at Cromartie for saying this week that the players’ union’s leadership is “acting like an a–hole.”
But Hasselbeck has now deleted that Tweet. Maybe because he realized that one union member publicly insulting another union member is not the best way for the union to show unity. Or maybe because he realized that he’s in the same boat as Cromartie: They’ll both be free agents in March, and neither one of them will be able to sign a new contract or collect a signing bonus if there’s a work stoppage.
http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/news/story?id=6064472
It should come as no shock that a New York Jets player isn't backing down from a good argument.
Earlier in the week Antonio Cromartie bashed the union and the league for the way negotiations are going for a new collective bargaining agreement.
On Thursday, a tweet on Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck's account said: "Somebody ask Cromartie if he knows what CBA stands for."
The tweet was later removed but not before Cromartie found out about it.
He responded Thursday afternoon with a tweet that said: "hey Matt if u have something to then say it be a man about it. Don't erase it. I will smash ur face in."
Hasselbeck later apologized for his initial tweet.
"Sorry for the joke man. No hard feelings," a tweet from his account said. "DB's & QB's have a hard time getting along I guess sometimes. lol."
That exchange came after Cromartie battled a couple of other NFL players.
Ray Lewis and Darnell Dockett had called out Cromartie for his critical comments Wednesday, and he responded that night.
"I don't give a who about Ray Lewis or [Darnell Dockett] talking about what I said," Cromartie said in a message posted on his Twitter account, according to the New York Daily News.
"There's 10's of thousand ppl who will lose jobs. They taking our healthcare away and for players that have surgery can't even get rehab once March 3rd gets here."
Cromartie ripped the league and the union Monday for the state of negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement. If the sides cannot come to terms, players could be locked out when the current CBA expires March 4. Cromartie is a free agent, so his future is uncertain.
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"Especially when you don't get no information about nothing from the union or the owners," Cromartie said Monday. "So to tell you the truth they need to get their damn minds together and get this [expletive] done. Stop bitching about money. Money ain't nothing. Money can be here and gone. Us players, we want to go out and play football. It's something we've been doing and we love it and enjoy it. It's our livelihood."
The Cardinals' Dockett and Ravens' Lewis responded Wednesday afternoon to Cromartie.
"We have leaders," Dockett told ESPNNewYork.com, referrring to the NFLPA. "We know what is fair and the players are behind our leadership."
Lewis said he supports union executive director DeMaurice Smith and his player representatives with the union.
"Great leaders are servants first," Lewis said. "That is who our leaders are. Players are not going to turn on each other. We are blessed with what we have and it is on all of us to keep it fair. I'm resolved to do that."
The rhetoric has been amped up on both sides.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday that if there's a lockout, he will reduce his salary to $1.
Smith countered that if they can get a deal done by the Super Bowl, he'll take a pay cut to 68 cents.
Smith wasn't worried that he was called out by Cromartie, who also called Patriots quarterback Tom Brady an "ass----" before the AFC title game.
"I've been called worse," he said Wednesday.
It should come as no shock that a New York Jets player isn't backing down from a good argument.
Earlier in the week Antonio Cromartie bashed the union and the league for the way negotiations are going for a new collective bargaining agreement.
On Thursday, a tweet on Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck's account said: "Somebody ask Cromartie if he knows what CBA stands for."
The tweet was later removed but not before Cromartie found out about it.
He responded Thursday afternoon with a tweet that said: "hey Matt if u have something to then say it be a man about it. Don't erase it. I will smash ur face in."
Hasselbeck later apologized for his initial tweet.
"Sorry for the joke man. No hard feelings," a tweet from his account said. "DB's & QB's have a hard time getting along I guess sometimes. lol."
That exchange came after Cromartie battled a couple of other NFL players.
Ray Lewis and Darnell Dockett had called out Cromartie for his critical comments Wednesday, and he responded that night.
"I don't give a who about Ray Lewis or [Darnell Dockett] talking about what I said," Cromartie said in a message posted on his Twitter account, according to the New York Daily News.
"There's 10's of thousand ppl who will lose jobs. They taking our healthcare away and for players that have surgery can't even get rehab once March 3rd gets here."
Cromartie ripped the league and the union Monday for the state of negotiations on a new collective bargaining agreement. If the sides cannot come to terms, players could be locked out when the current CBA expires March 4. Cromartie is a free agent, so his future is uncertain.
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"Especially when you don't get no information about nothing from the union or the owners," Cromartie said Monday. "So to tell you the truth they need to get their damn minds together and get this [expletive] done. Stop bitching about money. Money ain't nothing. Money can be here and gone. Us players, we want to go out and play football. It's something we've been doing and we love it and enjoy it. It's our livelihood."
The Cardinals' Dockett and Ravens' Lewis responded Wednesday afternoon to Cromartie.
"We have leaders," Dockett told ESPNNewYork.com, referrring to the NFLPA. "We know what is fair and the players are behind our leadership."
Lewis said he supports union executive director DeMaurice Smith and his player representatives with the union.
"Great leaders are servants first," Lewis said. "That is who our leaders are. Players are not going to turn on each other. We are blessed with what we have and it is on all of us to keep it fair. I'm resolved to do that."
The rhetoric has been amped up on both sides.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said Wednesday that if there's a lockout, he will reduce his salary to $1.
Smith countered that if they can get a deal done by the Super Bowl, he'll take a pay cut to 68 cents.
Smith wasn't worried that he was called out by Cromartie, who also called Patriots quarterback Tom Brady an "ass----" before the AFC title game.
"I've been called worse," he said Wednesday.
Thats a tough question, but there will be a few OT's available then, maybe a Carimi or Sherrod. I dont know if I like Solder, but he will be gone within the first 15 picks anyways, and Costanza is not good IMO. Also, that kid from Indiana, James Brewer, is intriguing. However, he should be there later.
We need a CB IMO. We also need to look at a 3Tech DT. I still think we can grab someone like Delvin or McElroy for the QB position with our 4th rounder. However, if Mason Foster is there in the 4th...YOU TAKE HIM NO QUESTIONS ASKED.
We need a CB IMO. We also need to look at a 3Tech DT. I still think we can grab someone like Delvin or McElroy for the QB position with our 4th rounder. However, if Mason Foster is there in the 4th...YOU TAKE HIM NO QUESTIONS ASKED.
Will Tez's third time be the charm?
Cortez Kennedy is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the third consecutive year. Saturday, it's time to end the wait and acknowledge the obvious.
The initial thought was to call Cortez Kennedy and gauge his reaction to being a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2011.
But, been there, done that. Not to mention, nothing new to report.
The former eight-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle for the Seahawks, and 1992 NFL defensive player of the year, also was a finalist in 2009 and 2010. Each time, Kennedy said it was an honor just to be included among the final 15 and that selection to the Hall would exceed his wildest dreams – and expectations.
Privately, however, Tez admits that he wants the Hall. Even more importantly, he deserves to be enshrined in the establishment in Canton, Ohio, that is dedicated to the game itself but features the busts of the greatest to ever play the game.
Kennedy’s next chance to achieve what many feel is the inevitable comes Saturday, when the 44 members of the section committee will be sequestered in a room in Dallas to undertake the arduous task of hashing out which of this year’s finalists will comprise the Class of 2011.
Tez’s biggest problem for the third consecutive year is not whether he is worthy, it’s whether he’ll make it through the process where 15 are trimmed to 10, 10 to five and then the five are voted on and must get 80 percent “yes” votes to be elected.
This year, there are two slam-dunk candidates among those in their first year of eligibility – running back Marshall Faulk and cornerback Deion Sanders. The entire list of finalists is available here from ProFootballHoF.com.
Last year, it was wide receiver Jerry Rice and running back Emmitt Smith, as well as deserving defensive tackle John Randle and defensive back Dick LeBeau – a senior-committee nominee who was long overdue for induction as a player and someday should be considered as a coach. In 2009, it was defensive end Bruce Smith, defensive back Rod Woodson and a couple sentimental favorites – the late Derrick Thomas, a sack-producing linebacker while playing for the Kansas City Chiefs; and Ralph Wilson, the 92-year-old owner of the Buffalo Bills and a founding owner of the old American Football League.
Every time one of these men got in, or gets in, it reduces Kennedy’s opportunity because the Class size is limited to between four and seven new members each year – including those nominated by the senior committee.
The Seattle representative on the selection committee is Mike Sando, who covered the Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune from 1998-2006 before joining ESPN.com as the NFC West blogger. He will make Kennedy’s presentation to the group on Saturday, for a second time.
Nothing has changed from when I made Kennedy’s presentation in 2009. He still deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. The question remains: Is this the year it will happen?
The point I focused on in my ’09 presentation was the fact that too few people saw just how good – no, dominating – Kennedy was because, well, he played his entire career in Seattle and also did it for some pretty bad teams. In his 11-year career, Kennedy appeared in only one playoff game, and that came in 1999 – his next-to-last season.
I am totally biased when it comes to Kennedy’s rightful place in the history of the franchise and the game: Tez belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Just as he deserved to been inducted into the Seahawks’ Ring of Honor and should have his number retired – after he enters the Hall of Fame.
Rather than rehash his voluminous accomplishments, I’ll recycle the presentation I made on that Saturday in Tampa two years ago:
“To truly appreciate a player’s talents, you have to see him. A lot. And in person.
“Walter Payton. Dan Fouts. Lawrence Taylor. You could tell from watching them in televised games, or highlight packages, that they were great players. It took – at least for me – seeing them in person, several times, to realize just how special they were.
“Cortez Kennedy is no different. His problem was – and remains – that too few people saw him often enough to realize just how special he really was.
“During his 11-season career with the Seahawks, the team played on “Monday Night Football” four times. The Seahawks had winning records twice (both 9-7) and burned through four coaches. Kennedy appeared in his only playoff game in 1999.
“He obviously did enough things to be selected to eight Pro Bowls, land a spot on the all-decade team for the 1990s and be voted NFL defensive player of the year in 1992 – on a 2-14 team.
“But it took a prolonged look to understand that he also belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
“Who remembers the play in a 1992 game against the Philadelphia Eagles when Kennedy beat a double-team block, but then was cut-down by another block, damaging muscles in his back and ribs – only to bounce up and chase down Randall Cunningham for a sack?
“How many people saw the play against the Washington Redskins in 1994 when Kennedy created a pile of players in the backfield by knocking Pro Bowl tackle Jim Lachey off his feet and into the running back on counter-trey and then grabbing the quarterback before he could decipher what had just happened?
“Or, how about the game against the San Diego Chargers in 1999 when he picked off a tipped pass, hurdled one would-be tackler and then stiff-armed another?
“And who recalls that the Seahawks were the only team in the NFL to rank among the Top 10 in defense in 1990, 1991 and 1992 – Kennedy’s first three seasons with the team?
“Kennedy had it all, on and off the field.
“He is a character. Who can forget the picture of him on draft day in 1990, hurricane in hand as he emerged from the sunroof in a limo?
“But he also has character. When then-owner Ken Behring was attempted to move the franchise to Southern California in 1996 (because he feared what an earthquake might do to the Kingdome), Kennedy boycotted the offseason-conditioning program being held at the old Rams facility in Anaheim because the contract he signed was with the SEATTLE Seahawks. The defiant move prompted David Behring to label Kennedy “fat, lazy and lacking leadership.”
“Fat? Well, OK, since it was Kennedy who offered, ‘I might be the fattest player in the draft, but I’m a helluva player’ after the Seahawks traded up to make him the third pick overall in 1990.
“But ‘lazy and lacking leadership’? Try again. In fact, near the end of the ’96 season, it was club president David Behring who presented Kennedy with the Steve Largent Award, which is given annually to the player “who best exemplifies the spirit, dedication and integrity of the Seahawks.”
“In fact, part II, Kennedy and Behring have since become friends. On his way to Seattle in 2006 to be inducted into the Seahawks Ring of Honor, Kennedy made a stop in Oakland to see Behring.
“The 11 defensive tackles already in the Hall are a formidable group – from Arnie Weinmeister to Alan Page to Joe Greene. What Kennedy shares with this group is that he changed the way his position was played, and also how it was defended – a cornerstone of what a Hall of Fame player should be.
“I won’t bore you with a long list of statistical accomplishments, because they’re all in here (a book distributed to members of the selection committee).
“Besides, one of Kennedy’s best traits – and, in my opinion, a must-have Hall of Fame trait – can’t be measured in sacks or tackles: He had the ability to make those around him better players. Even on some dreadful offensive teams.”
With that said – or repeated – here’s hoping this third time will be the charm for Cortez Kennedy.
http://www.seahawks.com/news/articl...he-charm/520d4afe-03cd-46be-9250-ae99215788dd
Cortez Kennedy is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame for the third consecutive year. Saturday, it's time to end the wait and acknowledge the obvious.
The initial thought was to call Cortez Kennedy and gauge his reaction to being a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Class of 2011.
But, been there, done that. Not to mention, nothing new to report.
The former eight-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle for the Seahawks, and 1992 NFL defensive player of the year, also was a finalist in 2009 and 2010. Each time, Kennedy said it was an honor just to be included among the final 15 and that selection to the Hall would exceed his wildest dreams – and expectations.
Privately, however, Tez admits that he wants the Hall. Even more importantly, he deserves to be enshrined in the establishment in Canton, Ohio, that is dedicated to the game itself but features the busts of the greatest to ever play the game.
Kennedy’s next chance to achieve what many feel is the inevitable comes Saturday, when the 44 members of the section committee will be sequestered in a room in Dallas to undertake the arduous task of hashing out which of this year’s finalists will comprise the Class of 2011.
Tez’s biggest problem for the third consecutive year is not whether he is worthy, it’s whether he’ll make it through the process where 15 are trimmed to 10, 10 to five and then the five are voted on and must get 80 percent “yes” votes to be elected.
This year, there are two slam-dunk candidates among those in their first year of eligibility – running back Marshall Faulk and cornerback Deion Sanders. The entire list of finalists is available here from ProFootballHoF.com.
Last year, it was wide receiver Jerry Rice and running back Emmitt Smith, as well as deserving defensive tackle John Randle and defensive back Dick LeBeau – a senior-committee nominee who was long overdue for induction as a player and someday should be considered as a coach. In 2009, it was defensive end Bruce Smith, defensive back Rod Woodson and a couple sentimental favorites – the late Derrick Thomas, a sack-producing linebacker while playing for the Kansas City Chiefs; and Ralph Wilson, the 92-year-old owner of the Buffalo Bills and a founding owner of the old American Football League.
Every time one of these men got in, or gets in, it reduces Kennedy’s opportunity because the Class size is limited to between four and seven new members each year – including those nominated by the senior committee.
The Seattle representative on the selection committee is Mike Sando, who covered the Seahawks for the Tacoma News Tribune from 1998-2006 before joining ESPN.com as the NFC West blogger. He will make Kennedy’s presentation to the group on Saturday, for a second time.
Nothing has changed from when I made Kennedy’s presentation in 2009. He still deserves to be in the Hall of Fame. The question remains: Is this the year it will happen?
The point I focused on in my ’09 presentation was the fact that too few people saw just how good – no, dominating – Kennedy was because, well, he played his entire career in Seattle and also did it for some pretty bad teams. In his 11-year career, Kennedy appeared in only one playoff game, and that came in 1999 – his next-to-last season.
I am totally biased when it comes to Kennedy’s rightful place in the history of the franchise and the game: Tez belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Just as he deserved to been inducted into the Seahawks’ Ring of Honor and should have his number retired – after he enters the Hall of Fame.
Rather than rehash his voluminous accomplishments, I’ll recycle the presentation I made on that Saturday in Tampa two years ago:
“To truly appreciate a player’s talents, you have to see him. A lot. And in person.
“Walter Payton. Dan Fouts. Lawrence Taylor. You could tell from watching them in televised games, or highlight packages, that they were great players. It took – at least for me – seeing them in person, several times, to realize just how special they were.
“Cortez Kennedy is no different. His problem was – and remains – that too few people saw him often enough to realize just how special he really was.
“During his 11-season career with the Seahawks, the team played on “Monday Night Football” four times. The Seahawks had winning records twice (both 9-7) and burned through four coaches. Kennedy appeared in his only playoff game in 1999.
“He obviously did enough things to be selected to eight Pro Bowls, land a spot on the all-decade team for the 1990s and be voted NFL defensive player of the year in 1992 – on a 2-14 team.
“But it took a prolonged look to understand that he also belongs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
“Who remembers the play in a 1992 game against the Philadelphia Eagles when Kennedy beat a double-team block, but then was cut-down by another block, damaging muscles in his back and ribs – only to bounce up and chase down Randall Cunningham for a sack?
“How many people saw the play against the Washington Redskins in 1994 when Kennedy created a pile of players in the backfield by knocking Pro Bowl tackle Jim Lachey off his feet and into the running back on counter-trey and then grabbing the quarterback before he could decipher what had just happened?
“Or, how about the game against the San Diego Chargers in 1999 when he picked off a tipped pass, hurdled one would-be tackler and then stiff-armed another?
“And who recalls that the Seahawks were the only team in the NFL to rank among the Top 10 in defense in 1990, 1991 and 1992 – Kennedy’s first three seasons with the team?
“Kennedy had it all, on and off the field.
“He is a character. Who can forget the picture of him on draft day in 1990, hurricane in hand as he emerged from the sunroof in a limo?
“But he also has character. When then-owner Ken Behring was attempted to move the franchise to Southern California in 1996 (because he feared what an earthquake might do to the Kingdome), Kennedy boycotted the offseason-conditioning program being held at the old Rams facility in Anaheim because the contract he signed was with the SEATTLE Seahawks. The defiant move prompted David Behring to label Kennedy “fat, lazy and lacking leadership.”
“Fat? Well, OK, since it was Kennedy who offered, ‘I might be the fattest player in the draft, but I’m a helluva player’ after the Seahawks traded up to make him the third pick overall in 1990.
“But ‘lazy and lacking leadership’? Try again. In fact, near the end of the ’96 season, it was club president David Behring who presented Kennedy with the Steve Largent Award, which is given annually to the player “who best exemplifies the spirit, dedication and integrity of the Seahawks.”
“In fact, part II, Kennedy and Behring have since become friends. On his way to Seattle in 2006 to be inducted into the Seahawks Ring of Honor, Kennedy made a stop in Oakland to see Behring.
“The 11 defensive tackles already in the Hall are a formidable group – from Arnie Weinmeister to Alan Page to Joe Greene. What Kennedy shares with this group is that he changed the way his position was played, and also how it was defended – a cornerstone of what a Hall of Fame player should be.
“I won’t bore you with a long list of statistical accomplishments, because they’re all in here (a book distributed to members of the selection committee).
“Besides, one of Kennedy’s best traits – and, in my opinion, a must-have Hall of Fame trait – can’t be measured in sacks or tackles: He had the ability to make those around him better players. Even on some dreadful offensive teams.”
With that said – or repeated – here’s hoping this third time will be the charm for Cortez Kennedy.
http://www.seahawks.com/news/articl...he-charm/520d4afe-03cd-46be-9250-ae99215788dd