Tag: cortez kennedy

Seahawks CB Devon Witherspoon predicted as contender for Defensive Player of the Year

Seahawks CB Devon Witherspoon predicted as contender for Defensive Player of the Year

The Seattle Seahawks have a rising star in their secondary. Last spring, the Seahawks zigged when everyone thought they should zag. Instead of drafting defensive tackle Jalen Carter to help their ailing defensive line, Seattle grabbed the top cornerback prospect in the draft. Anyone who questioned or disliked the pick were immediately swayed once they saw Witherspoon in action for the first time.

It became evident he was a special, game-changing kind of player. The type the Seahawks have been missing (except for Bobby Wagner) on their defense for some time. Witherspoon may have been snubbed for Defensive Rookie of the Year honors, but a much more grand prize may be on the horizon for him.

The 33rd Team has listed Witherspoon as a dark horse contender for being the 2024 Defensive Player of the Year. Something not even the legendary Richard Sherman, Earl Thomas or Kam Chancellor were awarded.

Last year in his rookie debut, Witherspoon was sublime. He recorded 79 total tackles, had three sacks, and defended 16 passes – including his lone interception, which he took back 97 yards for a touchdown on Monday Night Football.

Should Witherspoon break out further and claim the title of Defensive Player of the Year, he will join Hall of Famers Kenny Easley and Cortez Kennedy as the only Seahawks to earn such honors.

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Happy birthday to Seahawks legend, the late Cortez Kennedy

Happy birthday to Seahawks legend, the late Cortez Kennedy

On this day, 56 years ago, a Seattle Seahawks legend was born. Cortez Kennedy, hailing from Osecola, AR entered this world. In short time, he would become one of the most feared defenders in the National Football League, and one of the most beloved icons in the history of Seattle sports.

Originally the No. 3 overall pick in the 1990 NFL draft, Kennedy quickly became someone who terrified offensive linemen week in, week out. In 1992, he became the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year. To this date, only Kennedy and Kenny Easley ar the only Seahawks to win this award.

Unfortunately, Kennedy left this world in 2017, far too early.

To honor his greatness on his birthday, please enjoy this tribute video to one of the greatest defensive linemen of all time.

Rest easy, Tez.

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Every Seattle Seahawks player in the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Here’s the full list of every player who’s suited up for Seattle that is now in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

On Thursday night a new group of legends was selected for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Members included a couple of players who were Seahawks briefly at the end of their careers, Devin Hester and Dwight Freeney.

Here’s the full updated list of every player who’s suited up for Seattle that is now in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

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FanDuel asks if Russell Wilson is greatest Seahawks player ever, fans answer

FanDuel asked if Wilson is the greatest in franchise history and Seahawks fans stormed the replies in force.

If the Seahawks were to have a Mount Rushmore of their greatest players of all time, fans would universally agree on at least two members. That would be wide receiver Steve Largent and left tackle Walter Jones, who are both in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. After those two, the consensus completely falls apart for the other franchise GOAT spots, though.

Seattle only has one former league MVP, running back Shaun Alexander. However, he’s not even the most popular Seahawks running back of all time. That would be Marshawn Lynch, who was the beating heart of the team when it was at its absolute best from 2012-2015.

Some great defenders have also come through over the years, including a few Defensive Player of the Year winners in Kenny Easley and Cortez Kennedy. There’s also several potential future Hall of Famers that played for the Legion of Boom, including Richard Sherman, Kam Chancellor, Earl Thomas and Bobby Wagner.

The Seahawks have also had a couple of very good/great quarterbacks in Matt Hasselbeck and Russell Wilson, both deserving of recognition but not in the same league as Largent or Jones.

Over the weekend, FanDuel asked if Wilson is the greatest in franchise history and Seahawks fans stormed the replies in force. Judging by the replies, Wilson is never going to go down as the greatest in Seattle history.

Here’s what they’re saying.

Pro Football Hall of Fame shares tribute to Seahawks legend Cortez Kennedy

The greatest to ever do it for this franchise was Cortez Kennedy.

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The Seahawks have spent much of their energy this offseason trying to improve their defensive tackle group. While they’ve had good ones come through in the years since, the greatest to ever do it for this franchise was Cortez Kennedy, who died six years ago yesterday. Kennedy was an eight-time Pro Bowler, three-time All-Pro, the 1992 Defensive Player of the Year and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the class of 2012.

Watch this tribute to Kennedy from the Pro Football Hall of Fame that they shared yesterday.

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Seahawks legend Shaun Alexander to raise the 12th Man Flag

To this date Shaun Alexander is the only Seahawk to win the MVP, and one of only five Seahawks to even get an MVP vote

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Sunday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals is a little extra special for the Seattle Seahawks and the 12th Man. At halftime, the legendary Shaun Alexander will be inducted into the Seahawks Ring of Honor. Given that Sunday is Shaun’s day, it’s only fitting he will partake in the pregame tradition of raising the 12th Man flag.

Simply put, Shaun Alexander was nothing short of an unstoppable force for the Seattle Seahawks. During his tenure in Seattle, Alexander cruised his way to 100 career touchdowns – tying franchise icon Steve Largent for most in team history.

The crowning achievement of Alexander’s run with the Seahawks was earning league MVP honors in 2005 with a then-record 27 rushing touchdowns. To this date he is the only Seahawk to win the MVP, and one of only five Seahawks to even get an MVP vote. (Bobby Wagner, Steve Largent, Cortez Kennedy and Jim Zorn)

Alexander will join his former quarterback, Matt Hasselbeck, and head coach, Mike Holmgren, in the Ring of Honor. Both Holmgren and Hasselbeck were inducted last October.

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Seahawks: Who are the top 12 sack leaders in franchise history?

Let’s take a look at the top 12 sack leaders in franchise history.

The Seahawks have a new defensive coordinator in Clint Hurtt, who’s expected to be promoted from defensive line/assistant head coach. Hurtt will be tasked with making Seattle’s defense more “attack-minded,” as Pete Carroll put it. Reaching that goal will require upgrading a pass rush that just ranked near the bottom in most pressure stats.

Truth is, this has been an issue for a while now. This team won’t get back to the heights it saw in the last decade until they have a dominant defensive line again. Today, let’s take a look at the top 12 sack leaders in franchise history.