Tag: Doug Baldwin

Panthers HC Dave Canales explains why Xavier Legette was on gunner drills

First-round pick Xavier Legette was in on gunner drills during rookie minicamp. HC Dave Canales explained why.

In 2019, the Carolina Panthers—to quite a bit of criticism—occasionally assigned their first-round pick Brian Burns to gunner responsibilities during actual regular-season games. Well, some fans may have experienced a rough flashback to that on Saturday—with this year’s first-rounder Xavier Legette practicing the role during rookie minicamp.

So, is this something worth keeping an eye on?

Head coach Dave Canales was asked about the wide receiver’s involvement on special teams drills following the outing.

“Special teams is a premium for us,” he replied. “This is something, that on game day, we just don’t get a lot of players. Something that our players have to get used to is that when they come into the NFL, we have these many helmets today. So if something happens, they all gotta be ready to contribute.

“That’s how we were able to build great teams in Seattle. Doug Baldwin is a starter early on—he was playing on teams, on cover units. And he can get in the vice. And just making sure Xavier has that starting point. He’s such a natural athlete. Watching him take his first couple steps, it was really cool. And (special teams assistant) Daren Bates is doing a really good job there down with the gunners.”

Take a breath, Panthers fans.

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Former Seahawks players share their appreciation for Pete Carroll

Here’s how former Seahawks are reacting.

Wednesday was an emotional day for the Seattle Seahawks, their coaching staff, their players and their fans. In the most stunning development in franchise history, the team removed Pete Carroll as their head coach. Carroll will still be in the building, but things will never be quite the same without him calling the shots and whoever replaces him has a large pair of Monarchs to fill.

What set Carroll apart from just about every other football coach on the planet was his idea that it could be fun – and his players loved him for it. Since the news broke that Carroll is out as head coach, we haven’t heard from any current players, who may be stunned into silence. However, many of his former players have been singing his praises on social media.

Here’s how former Seahawks are reacting.

Doug Baldwin talks to Adam Schefter about Pete Carroll’s energy

Seahawks great Doug Baldwin was a guest on Adam Schefter’s podcast earlier this week. 

Seattle Seahawks great Doug Baldwin was a guest on Adam Schefter’s podcast earlier this week.

Among the things they talked about were Baldwin’s daughter and head coach Pete Carroll’s famous indefatigable energy. Watch.

More Seahawks Wire stories

NFL Power Rankings going into Week 7

Ranking all 32 starting QBs by passer rating

Seahawks Mt. Rushmore: Wide Receivers

Is there any question as to who No. 1 is?

Here at Seahawks Wire, we are continuing our latest on-going summer series: Seahawks Mt. Rushmore, where we will look at the top four players at each major position in franchise history.

We started with quarterbacks, then of course moved to running backs. Now we’re on to the position group of the most iconic player in franchise history: wide receiver.

Although Seattle boasts one of the best wide receiver duos in the NFL today, the Seahawks haven’t been known as a powerhouse of pass catchers. But the ones who have stood out have certainly left a mark in team history…

More Seahawks Wire stories

Ranking the top 25 tight ends in the NFL going into 2023

Seahawks Mt. Rushmore: Quarterbacks

Seahawks Mt. Rushmore: Running backs

Doug Baldwin: Debating Seahawks 2013 defense vs. Broncos 2015 defense ‘silly’

Seahawks great Doug Baldwin for one says debating the two is silly.

The two best defensive units in the NFL over the last decade were the 2013 Seattle Seahawks and the 2015 Denver Broncos.

While Denver’s D was formidable that season, it doesn’t compare to the run that Seattle’s all-time great units had. No other team in history has led the league in scoring defense four years in a row. As for that specific 2013 unit, they utterly dominated that best scoring offense ever in the Super Bowl en route to a 35-point win. That puts them on another level of domination not seen on this side of the ball since the Chicago Bears in 1985 – the consensus greatest defense of all time.

Seahawks great Doug Baldwin for one says debating 2015 Denver vs. 2013 Seattle is silly.

One of the key pieces of that 2013 unit – middle linebacker Bobby Wagner – also made his way into the replies at one point.

Here’s how the rest of the conversation went.

Seahawks exec compares Jaxon Smith-Njigba to Doug Baldwin

Here’s a player comp the 12th Man will certainly enjoy to hear about.

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Here’s a player comp the 12th Man will certainly enjoy to hear about. The Seattle Seahawks made an uncharacteristically splashy pick in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft when they selected Ohio State wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Not only is it a fun pick, but it’s one for a position of need. Seattle had to find a legitimate No. 3 option behind DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, and when you hear Seahawks director of player personnel, Matt Berry, it seems like they’ve found their guy.

Berry recently went on the Locked on Seahawks Podcast where he compared JSN to another Seattle great – Doug Baldwin.

Baldwin’s eight years in the NFL ended with him being one of the most prolific receivers in Seahawks franchise history. When he retired, he was No. 2 all time in receiving touchdowns, which was only recently surpassed by Tyler Lockett this past season. He is still No. 4 all time in career receiving yards.

If this is truly the case, and the Seahawks have found their next “Doug Baldwin”, so to speak, then Seattle’s offense is about to take a huge leap forward in 2023. Opposing secondaries be warned.

More Seahawks Wire stories

Ranking all 32 NFL teams going into June

Updated 90-man roster going into minicamp

Russell Wilson agrees: Seahawks great Doug Baldwin most underrated WR ever

Watch Good Morning Football discuss if Baldwin is the most underrated wide receiver ever.

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Perhaps nobody embodied the Seahawks Legion of Boom era mentality than a short, undrafted wide receiver named Doug Baldwin. While he flew under the radar compared to some of his future Hall of Fame teammates, Baldwin was a critical part of Seattle’s success in those years.

In addition to a lot of clutch plays, Baldwin totaled 49 touchdown catches – peaking with a league-high 14 during the 2015 season. Baldwin also made two Pro Bowl teams but he never truly got the recognition that he deserved, much like Tyler Lockett today. Watch Good Morning Football discuss if Baldwin is the most underrated wide receiver ever.

At least one of Baldwin’s former teammates says he is. Russell Wilson shared the story with a yes.

This is a little bit funny because few former Seahawks players have thrown more shade in Wilson’s direction than Baldwin, who had to retire after the 2018 season due to multiple injuries.

Seahawks initial 53-man roster projection before OTAs

Doug Baldwin vouches for this Stanford WR prospect: ‘Love his game’

It’s difficult for any draft prospect to stand out with dozens of competitors vying for the same roster spots, but getting a recommendation from a franchise legend has to help.

The Seahawks met with several prospects during the 2023 NFL Combine, inlcuding Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson and Minnesota center John Michael Schmitz. One of the wide receivers they met with was Stanford’s Michael Wilson. It’s difficult for any draft prospect to stand out with dozens of competitors vying for the same roster spots, but getting a recommendation from a franchise legend has to help.

Here’s what former Seattle great and Stanford alum Doug Baldwin had to say about Wilson as a player and as a person.

Wilson (6-foot-2, 210 pounds) totaled 26 catches, 418 yards and four touchdowns during his Senior year. While those numbers aren’t anything to write home about, Wilson did pretty well at the scouting combine, posting a 37.5″ vertical leap, 23 bench press reps and a 4.58 second 40-yard dash time.

The scouting report on Wilson is that he’s a “cantankerous” run blocker, which will always endear wide receivers to coach Pete Carroll.

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Former Seahawk Doug Baldwin receives Paul G. Allen Humanitarian Award

For all his philanthropic efforts, former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin received the 2023 Paul G. Allen Humanitarian Award.

Former Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Doug Baldwin was honored this week at the Seattle Sports Commission’s 88th Annual Seattle Sports Star of the Year Awards banquet.

For his philanthropic contributions throughout the Pacific Northwest, Baldwin received the 2023 Paul G. Allen Humanitarian Award, presented by Microsoft.

“Doug truly exemplifies the spirit of the Humanitarian Award and its namesake, Paul G. Allen,” Seattle Sports Commission President and CEO Beth Knox said via the Seahawks website. “We are so proud to honor Doug’s tireless efforts to serve our community and recognize his leadership in creating more equitable opportunities across our region.”

Also honored Tuesday night were Seahawks Legends K.J. Wright and Michael Jackson (1979-86), who were inducted into the 2023 Pacific Northwest Football Hall of Fame Class.

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll was nominated for Sports Leader of the Year and quarterback Geno Smith for Seattle Sports Male Star of the Year but neither took home the award.

The full Seattle Sports Commission’s 88th Annual Seattle Sports Star of the Year Awards show will air on FOX13 Seattle on March 20.

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Seahawks players past and present share prayers, support for Damar Hamlin

Here’s how Seahawks players reacted in the moment and in the days since.

The NFL world is still in a state of shock over the status of Bills safety Damar Hamlin. In the first quarter of Monday night’s game between the Bengals and Bills Hamlin took a blow to the chest while making a tackle. He stood up, but then collapsed a second later. We now know that Hamlin suffered cardiac arrest and his heartbeat had to be restored on the field. Good news: Hamlin is doing better. While he’s still intubated, the latest reporting indicates his breathing is improving.

Here’s how Seahawks players reacted in the moment and in the days since.