Tag: Michael Dickson

What would an NFL defense look like comprised of only Texas Longhorns?

A look at an NFL defense comprised of Texas Longhorns. Earl Thomas and Jordan Hicks were bonafide locks but who are the rest?

Some of the best defenders in the NFL hail from the University of Texas. Earl Thomas being one of the bigger names as he was recently named safety of the decade by Pro Football Focus. The lineage of defenders doesn’t begin with Thomas, but it goes all the way back to players such as Tommy Nobis, Tom Landry and more recently Casey Hampton. The series of professional teams comprised of Longhorns continues. Recently we published our list for the offense.

The focus will shift to the defensive side of the ball. After all there is that old adage of defense wins championships. Not necessarily the case in all championship teams but without one your team stands no chance of winning. Top defenders such as Brian Orakpo, Henry Melton and Roy Miller won’t make the list as they have retired from their professional careers but that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty to choose from.

Let’s start with the defensive ends of our all Texas Longhorns team.

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What to expect from Seahawks 2018 draft class in 2020

The Seattle Seahawks still roster seven of their nine selections from the 2018 NFL draft. Here is how they are expected to fare in 2020.

The Seattle Seahawks have taken the approach of more = better in the last few NFL drafts.

The 2017 draft class saw the Seahawks select 11 players, with only six of them still on the roster just three years later.

Things went better in the class of 2018, with seven of their nine selections on the roster heading into the 2020 season. Of the two who are not, one of them is sixth rounder Jacob Martin, a wiry pass rusher who was sent to the Texans in the trade for Jadeveon Clowney.

The other is quarterback Alex McGough, a seventh rounder whom the Seahawks attempted to groom as an eventual replacement for Russell Wilson.

Here is a look at the seven who still remain, and what kind of role they are expected to have in 2020.

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Bleacher Report releases Seahawks all-time Madden roster

Seven current Seahawks make up Bleacher Report’s all-time Seattle squad, which will be used in a Madden tournament.

Bleacher Report is putting together a tournament pitting each NFL squad’s all-time team against each other using the popular video game Madden. That means they put together an all-time squad for the Seattle Seahawks – and while the team has a pretty modern flair it’s fun to see the old names mixed with the new.

Of the 31 players on Seattle’s all-time roster, six of them are currently on the Seahawks – seven if you count Marshawn Lynch, who played briefly for Seattle last season but is currently a free agent.

The list also includes the Legion of Boom secondary, as well as many names from Seattle’s 2005 squad, including Walter Jones, Steve Hutchinson and Shaun Alexander.

Here is the entirety of the Seahawks all-time Madden roster, along with their overall ratings in the game:

Russell Wilson, QB (94 OVR)

Matt Hasselbeck, QB (85 OVR)

Marshawn Lynch, RB (92 OVR)

Shaun Alexander, RB (92 OVR)

Mack Strong, FB (96 OVR)

Steve Largent, WR (93 OVR)

Joey Galloway, WR (90 OVR)

Doug Baldwin, WR (87 OVR)

Tyler Lockett, WR (87 OVR)

Will Dissly, TE (82 OVR)

Walter Jones, OL (98 OVR)

Steve Hutchinson, OL (97 OVR)

Robbie Tobeck, OL (85 OVR)

Bryan Millard, OL (84 OVR)

Chris Gray, OL (83 OVR)

Jacob Green, DL (91 OVR)

Cortez Kennedy, DL (95 OVR)

Michael Bennett, DL (89 OVR)

Joe Nash, DL (86 OVR)

Bobby Wagner, LB (98 OVR)

Lofa Tatupu, LB (86 OVR)

Chad Brown, LB (85 OVR)

KJ Wright, LB (83 OVR)

Richard Sherman, CB (95 OVR)

Marcus Trufant, CB (89 OVR)

Shawn Springs, CB (87 OVR)

Kenny Easley, S (97 OVR)

Earl Thomas III, S (95 OVR)

Kam Chancellor, S (95 OVR)

Stephen Hauschka, K (86 OVR)

Michael Dickson, P (83 OVR)

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Former Seahawks punter Jon Ryan diagnosed with skin cancer

Ryan announced the cancer on a podcast in his hometown of Saskatchewan, where he plays for the Roughriders of the Canadian Football League.

Former Seattle Seahawks punter Jon Ryan, now with the Saskatchewan Roughriders of the Canadian Football League, has been diagnosed with skin cancer.

Ryan announced the diagnosis on the Growing the Game podcast, saying he had a surgery scheduled but it has been pushed back due to COVID-19.

“I’ve gone once a year to the dermatologist to get a full-body scan to get everything checked, and I have a mark on my neck they’re a little concerned about, last year they froze it off, and it grew back even bigger, so they identified that it was skin cancer,” Ryan said. “Luckily, it’s a pretty slow-moving cancer that the doctor’s very confident that he can wait until this coronavirus has swept through to be able to operate on.”

Ryan, 38, served as Seattle’s punter from 2008-2017, eventually losing his job to rookie Michael Dickson, who went on to make the Pro Bowl. Ryan eventually returned to his hometown of Saskatchewan to punt for the Roughriders, where he appeared in all 18 regular season games last year and averaged 48.8 yards per punt.

We at the Seahawks Wire wish Ryan and his family all the best in his eventual surgery and recovery.

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Texas Longhorns In NFL Wild Card Weekend

A look at which former Texas Longhorns who will play on NFL Wild Card weekend.

Even with the college football season coming to an end this past Tuesday, there are former Texas Longhorns players who still have some football left to play. On Saturday and Sunday there a list of former Longhorns who will be participating in wild card weekend as the playoffs kick off.

Saturday

Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans

In the first matchup on Saturday, it will feature the only former Longhorn playing on Saturday. Charles Omenihu will be suiting up for the Texas as they host Buffalo. The former sixth-round draft pick will look to help notch the first postseason victory on the day when they host Buffalo. Omenihu will likely see a lesser role with the return of J.J. Watt for Houston.

Omenihu

13 tackles, three sacks, two forced fumbles

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Texas Longhorns Team of the Decade: Defense and Special Teams

The breakdown of the defense and special teams Texas Longhorns of the decade.

As Longhorns Wire continues their team of the decade, the defense and special teams are up next. Much like the offense recap, each position group will have links to the original post.

Defensive Line

Alex Okafor

Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports

Okafor played for the Longhorns in the early part of the decade from 2009-12. During that time he recorded 23 sacks, 34 tackles for loss and 150 total tackles. He added seven forced fumbles. Okafor is currently a member of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Jackson Jeffcoat

Jeffcoat is the son of former NFL chamption Jim Jeffcoat. He played on the defense along with Okafor. During his four-year college career from 2010-2013, Jeffcoat recorded 172 total tackles with 26 sacks and five turnovers forced. He was an All-American in 2013 when he was also named the Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year. Jeffcoat is currently playing in the Canadian Football League for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Poona Ford

The man in the middle of the defense, Ford played in Austin from 2014-2017. During that time he recorded 133 total tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss and four sacks. He also forced three fumbles. He was named Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2017. Ford is currently one of a few Longhorns with the Seattle Seahawks.

Charles Omenihu

Omenihu is the final member of the defensive line. From 2015-2018, Omenihu racked up 115 total tackles, 30 TFL and 16.5 sacks. He forced four fumbles during that four-year span. Omenihu was named All-Big 12 and Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2018. He is currently a member of the Houston Texans.

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Texas Longhorns Team of the Decade: Special Teams

Texas has been excellent on special teams the past few years. In both facets of the kicking game, the Longhorns have had reliable players.

All three phases of the game are important and in the past few years, Texas has been excellent on special teams. In both facets of the kicking game, the Longhorns have had reliable players who will step up when they are needed. Placekicker Cameron Dicker has been clutch in his two seasons in Austin and punter Michael Dickson was one of the best in the country.

Hitting two game-winning field goals this season alone, Dicker has been a key clutch player for Tom Herman’s squad. This season, he did it against Kansas and Kansas State, stealing two wins for the Longhorns. Dicker has been automatic from the point after, making all but two career attempts. Making above 70% of his career field goals, if Dicker is trotting out, you are more than likely going to end up with three points.

When the offense stalled and required a punt, Texas had one of the best punters in the country. Michael Dickson won the Ray Guy Award in 2017, given to the nation’s best punter. After his three years in Austin, Dickson was the first special teams player taken in the NFL Draft, selected in the fifth round. Averaging just over 45 yards per punt, Dickson constantly switched the field for the Longhorns.

Then there is Justin Tucker, who both punted and was the placekicker to the Longhorns in 2010 and 2011. Now one of the best kickers in NFL history, Tucker was amazing for Texas during his time in Austin. Never missing a point after attempt, he was just as automatic when kicking field goals too. When it was time to punt, he was able to bomb the ball 40 yards downfield.

Here are your Longhorns special teams players of the decade:

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Former Longhorns Punter Michael Dickson Bouncing Back

Former Longhorn and current Seahawks punter Michael Dickson has had his struggles this season, he is starting to find that groove.

Last season as a rookie for the Seattle Seahawks, Michael Dickson was the best punter in the NFL if you look at his accolades. In 2018, Dickson was named to the Pro Bowl and also named an All-Pro while averaging 48.2 yards per punt. That gives him the eighth best average for a punter in a single season in NFL history.

“I think Mike has really found his groove,” coach Pete Carroll said on Wednesday. “I think early on, for whatever reason, he wasn’t quite as sharp with his consistency. I don’t know, at least six or eight weeks of it, maybe it was longer than that, he really hit it. He’s doing great. I think he was not hitting the ball as cleanly as he had hoped. I know he felt that was [the case]. He’s been on it at least since the bye it seems. It was probably the time it seems like it turned around I think.” – From Seahawks Wire

His numbers are definitely down from a season ago but the Aussie punter has found a groove again with his ability to pin teams team in their own territory. The Seahawks are in great position this season due to his ability to limit good field position. Seattle is preparing to take on Arizona to keep their hopes of getting the number one seed in the NFC.

After slow start, punter Michael Dickson has found his groove

Seattle Seahawks punter Michael Dickson may not have made the Pro Bowl, but he’s rounding into form in the second half of 2019.

It was always going to be hard for Seattle Seahawks punter Michael Dickson to top his rookie campaign.

After all, the Australian out of the University of Texas immediately quieted those who questioned Seattle’s decision to trade up in the fifth round to draft him, earning a Pro Bowl nod and All-Pro recognition in his first NFL season.

This year, despite a slow start, Dickson has managed to come on as of late and is thriving at the perfect time for this Seattle team.

“I think Mike has really found his groove,” coach Pete Carroll said on Wednesday. “I think early on, for whatever reason, he wasn’t quite as sharp with his consistency. I don’t know, at least six or eight weeks of it, maybe it was longer than that, he really hit it. He’s doing great. I think he was not hitting the ball as cleanly as he had hoped. I know he felt that was [the case]. He’s been on it at least since the bye it seems. It was probably the time it seems like it turned around I think.”

Despite winning the fan vote, Dickson was not selected to the Pro Bowl this season, or even selected as an alternate. His yards per punt average dropped from 48.2 last year to just 44.9 this season, but recently his accuracy in pinning teams down within the five yard line has improved, an area he struggled at the beginning of the year.

Dickson has all the tools to be among the league’s best punters for the next decade or so. Small growing pains in year two are nothing to worry about, especially since he seems to have already put them aside.

The Seahawks will play their second-to-last home game of the season on Sunday afternoon against the Cardinals. Kickoff is slated for 1:25 p.m. PT.

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Seahawks Russell Wilson, Bobby Wagner named Pro Bowl starters

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and linebacker Bobby Wagner were both named to the Pro Bowl for the third consecutive year.

The 2020 NFL Pro Bowl rosters were announced on Tuesday night, and two Seattle Seahawks made the cut as starters for the NFC squad.

Quarterback Russell Wilson and linebacker Bobby Wagner will both be making their sixth career Pro Bowl appearances.

Wilson has already proven himself worthy of the mega-contract extension he signed over the offseason, putting together an MVP campaign through 14 games. He’s completed 300 passes for 3,708 yards with an excellent 28-to-five touchdown-to-interception ratio.

While he finished second behind Lamar Jackson of the Ravens in fan voting, it’s clear Wilson is among the best quarterbacks in the NFL, and his third consecutive Pro Bowl nod is even more proof of that.

Wagner, also fresh off a contract extension, already has 139 combined tackles this season – topping last year’s mark and on pace to break his career-high of 168, set in 2016. All set to make his sixth consecutive Pro Bowl appearance and potentially his fourth consecutive year as an All-Pro, Wagner is continuing to cement himself as the best linebacker of his era, and a future Hall of Famer.

The Seahawks also had seven players selected as alternates: wide receiver Tyler Lockett, tackle Duane Brown, running back Chris Carson, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, safety Quandre Diggs, cornerback Shaquill Griffin and guard Mike Iupati.

Punter Michael Dickson, notably, was not selected despite leading the NFC in fan voting at the punter position.

The 2020 Pro Bowl will be played on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020 and televised live on ESPN at noon PT from Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla.

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