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2013, 2005, or 1984 -- Which is the Greatest Team in Seahawks History?
While the Seahawks await the Saints this next Saturday, I thought it would fun to take a look at this year’s team in context of 2 other Seahawks teams of the past. While it’s easy to crown the 2013 Seahawks as being the best team in Seahawks History … I would argue that there are 2 other teams that are worthy of consideration of that honor as well -- the 2005 team (obviously) … and for many a forgotten team of the past -- the 1984 Seahawks. Before we get into the specific stories of those 2 other teams, let’s lay out the numbers side by side and compare these 3 greats, shall we? ...
[Note: as statistics really need to be looked at in the context of a particular year, I’ve also included the league averages by year for each of the categories we’ll be taking a look at below.]
[tdo=7]2013, 2005, and 1984 Seahawks OFFENSIVE Comparison …[/tdo]
[tdo=7]2013, 2005, and 1984 Seahawks DEFENSIVE Comparison …[/tdo]
Give Away/Take Away Margin …
2013 Seahawks … +20 (1st)
2005 Seahawks … +10 (7th)
1984 Seahawks … +24 (1st)
While I could wax poetic about them, the story of the 2013 Seahawks is still being written in many ways and is obviously right in front of us. So, let’s delve in deeper to those other 2 teams of the past and recount some Hawks' history ...
The 2005 Seahawks … Record: 13-3 ...
[youtube]q6lpwg6-kiE[/youtube]
Fresh off a less than stellar 9-7 season the year prior, the story of the 2005 Seahawks began in an unlikely fashion with an extreme amount of change and turnover. Team owner Paul Allen set the tone for the year, firing GM Bob Whitsitt on January 14th (the same day Ted Thompson left to become the GM of the Packers) and bringing back Mike Reinfeldt on February 3rd as a consultant to help sort out the huge mess the Seahawks had. At the time of Whitsitt’s firing, the Hawks had 16 Free Agents, including Matt Hasselbeck, Shawn Alexander, and Walter Jones. Reinfeldt pulled off an absolute miracle in short order, inking Hasselbeck and Jones to long term deals … and franchising Alexander to stem the tide of what could have been a tsunami of a disaster for the team. Tim Ruskell was hired on February 23, 2005 as GM and in his 1 stellar season really reshaped the identity of the team, letting go of high profile free agents like DE Chike Okeafor, LB Chad Brown, and LB Anthony Simmons … and bringing in a lot of no name free agents (who became key contributors) like WR Joe Jurevicius, DE Joe Tafoya, LB Jamie Sharper, and CB Kelly Herndon. The Seahawks also nabbed ⅔ of their starting LB corps for the next few years in April’s NFL Draft, selecting Pro Bowl MLB Lofa Tatupu in the 2nd Round … and Leroy Hill in the 3rd Round.
Seattle stumbled right out of the gate, losing at Jacksonville 26-14 in the Season Opener as Seattle turned the ball over 5 times that day. From there though, the team went on a roll, winning 13 of its final 15 games including 11 in a row at one point. Powered by an offensive line that featured 2 of the greatest lineman to ever play the game in LT Walter Jones and LG Steve Hutchinson, Seattle finished with league-leading 452 Points Scored. Let’s take a look at a brief breakdown of the offense that year ...
[tdo=5]Shaun Alexander’s 2005 Rushing Stats[/tdo]
Shaun Alexander’s 2005 Season was one for the ages, as he set the team record for most rushing yards in a season. Not only that, but Alexander would break Priest Holmes’s record for the most Rushing TD’s in a season in NFL History.
Shaun Alexander 2005 Highlights ...
[youtube]BXttr6qph80[/youtube]
Shaun Alexander not only made the Pro Bowl -- he was named MVP of the League. He was absolute money to get in to the end zone within the 20 yard line, but it should be noted that FB Mack Strong’s lead blocking was instrumental to Alexander’s success that year as well -- a fact that didn’t go unnoticed, as Strong made the Pro Bowl as well.
Alexander’s mercurial season also allowed QB Matt Hasselbeck to have one of his finest seasons as well …
[tdo=8]Matt Hasselbeck’s 2005 Statistics[/tdo]
That rhythm passing attack of Mike Holmgren’s West Coast Offense was humming along, as Hasselbeck spread the ball around well that year ...
[tdo=7]2005 Seahawks Top Receiving Targets[/tdo]
Together, that group dominated the NFL, as they were near the top in several statistical categories that year.
The 2005 Defense…
On the Defensive side of the ball, the Seahawks that year had their share of playmakers as well ...
[tdo=8]2005 Seahawks Top Defensive Playmakers[/tdo]
2005’s Defensive Unit was a fairly stout group that was fairly stingy in terms of Points Allowed (they ranked 7th Best that year with 16.9 Points/Game Allowed) thanks in large part to a strong pass rush (their 50 Sacks was #1 in the NFL that year) and a crew that didn’t give up a lot of yards on the ground (only 94.4 Yards/Game -- 5th Fewest that year).
Seattle owed a lot of its success that year to a pair of rookie LB’s who would help transform that defense in to one of the better units in football. Lofa Tatupu with his incredible ability to read and react seemingly faster than anyone in the NFL … and LeRoy Hill with his great sideline to sideline speed made Seattle’s run defense one of the best in football in 2005. Tatupu would make the Pro Bowl his rookie season and cement himself as the captain of that defense.
Though Seattle’s defense was very good that year, they weren’t without their problems. The Seahawks secondary suffered its first real loss when FS Ken Hamlin was placed on Injured Reserve after he was severely injured in a fight at a Seattle night club on October 17, 2005. That forced Marquand Manuel in to the starting lineup … and Manuel responded well at the free safety position, giving up far fewer big plays than Hamlin, who always seemed to favor going for the knockout blow and compromising coverage in the process. However, depth in the defensive backfield would become an issue that would eventually rear its ugly head in the Super Bowl. If there was a weakness on this team, it would be Seattle’s secondary, as they were more of a bend but don’t break kind of unit that surrendered a lot of yards, though not a lot of points …
3,559 Passing Yards Allowed (25th)
222.4 Passing Yards/Game Allowed (25th)
6.8 Yards/Pass Allowed (Tied 17th)
11.7 Yards/Reception Allowed (Tied 22nd)
18 Passing TD’s Allowed (9th Fewest)
Post-season
The #1 Seed and Home Field Advantage worked well for Seattle the first time around (let’s hope it does again), as the Hawks beat …
The Redskins at Century Link Field 20-10 on January 10th, 2005 despite losing Shaun Alexander to a concussion in that game.
The Panthers in convincing fashion in the NFC Championship Game at Century Link Field 34-14 on January 22, 2005.
The magic carpet ride would come to an end in Detroit though, as the Steelers walked away as the champs of Super Bowl XL 21-10. That game was fraught with controversy however, as there were several questionable calls made at key moments. In an ESPN Poll done on February 7th after the game, 61.7% of the 103,167 respondents felt that officiating mistakes affected the game. Coach Holmgren agreed and at a rally at Cenutry Link Field afterwards said, "We knew it was going to be tough going against the Pittsburgh Steelers. I didn't know we were going to have to play the guys in the striped shirts as well." The fact that Holmgren was never fined speaks volumes as does the fact that in 2010 official Bill Leavy showed up to Seahawks training camp and admitted that he blew 2 calls in that game. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen this time around.
Most of us know a lot about the 2005 Seahawks though. Let’s move on and talk about a club that many around here might not be as familiar with ...
The 1984 Seahawks … Record: 12-4 ...
For those of you who have the time, I highly recommend Clare Farnsworth’s article on the 1984 season and the 23 minute NFL films documentary video he has attached to it …
NFL Films Video: From the Heart -- The Story of the 1984 Seattle Seahawks
I promise it will be well worth your time to honor the memory of a season that should never be forgotten by Seattle sports fans. 21 Years before the Seahawks miracle ride of 2005 … Seattle fans were treated to another season of Hawks football that was no less miraculous. Like in 2005, the Seahawks had just come off a 9-7 season -- but unlike 2004, the 1983 season was one of hope. Like the Mariners of 1995, no one envisioned great things from a club that struggled to maintain .500 during the regular season. But the 1983 Seahawks (like the 1995 Mariners) are a real testament to that fact that’s it’s all about GETTING INTO playoffs and that once you’re there -- anything can happen. And it most certainly did happen for the 1983 Hawks. Fueled by rookie RB Curt Warner (who won AFC Rookie of the Year), Steve Largent, and a tough but at times suspect defense, Seattle went from a team that sneaked into the playoffs as a Wild Card … all the way to the AFC Championship Game. Though the Seahawks lost to the eventual Super Bowl Champion Oakland Raiders in the AFC Championship 30-14, hopes were high that the next season Seattle would find themselves hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.
All of those hopes and dreams for the 1984 Season appeared to go up in flames like the Hindenburg right from the get go in the opener however. Although Seattle pounded the Browns 33-0 in front of a raucous 12th Man at the Kingdome on Monday Night Football, one play would change the course of the entire season. On a toss sweep to the the right in the 2nd Quarter, RB Curt Warner tore the ACL in his right knee and was lost for the season. For Head Coach Chuck Knox, Warner’s injury was a devastating blow. Above all things, Knox believed in 2 things -- hard nosed tough defense … and ball control offense by running the ball, running the ball, and then running it some more. Somewhere, Pete Carroll is smiling in admiration.
After Warner’s injury, Seahawks GM Mike McCormack went into scramble mode, inking former Steeler legend Franco Harris the next week. But the days of the Immaculate Reception were as long past as Go Go Clubs for the then 34 year old future Hall of Famer. Though Harris and the rest of Seattle’s running back by committee put forth a noble effort, their numbers speak for themselves …
[tdo=6]Seattle Top Running Backs’ 1984 Rushing Stats[/tdo]
The 1984 Seahawks Running game ended the season ranked …
23rd out of 28 Teams in Rushing Touchdowns (10)
25th in Rushing Yards Gained (1,645 Yards) despite having the 12th Most Rushing Attempts (495)
Dead Last in Rushing Yards/Attempt (Only 3.3 Yards/Carry)
For all intents and purposes, many of the offensive schemes that Seattle had been developing and working on throughout the entire offseason and training camp went right out the window after Warner went down. Knox could either allow the Seahawks season to be derailed … or he could innovate. A stunningly improbable transformation occurred in short order, as the leopard really did change his spots -- Ground Chuck (as he was affectionately known) suddenly morphed into Air Knox. Seattle chose to play to their strengths, passing 69.5% of the time that season. In the process, the Seahawks not only saved their season … they would post a team record for wins in a season that would not be broken for 21 years.
QB Dave Krieg (AKA Mudbone) responded with the best season of his career …
[tdo=8]Dave Krieg’s 1984 Statistics[/tdo]
In 1984, 6.7% of all Krieg’s passes went for touchdowns (a rate that was 2nd that year only to Dan Marino). Dave Krieg’s 32 Passing TD’s and 3,671 Passing Yards in a season are Seahawk franchise records that still stand to this day.
Krieg connected with a number of targets that year ...
[tdo=7]1984 Seahawks Top Receiving Targets[/tdo]
Seattle averaged 26.1 Points/Game and finished 5th in the NFL in Points Scored (418) thanks in large part to the efforts of 2 very special and dominant receivers that year -- Steve Largent and Daryl Turner.
Those who never got a chance to see Steve Largent play are truly deprived. The knock on him coming in to the league was that he was simply too small and too slow (he only ran a 4.7 40 yard dash) to play receiver in this league. He was traded to the Seahawks by the Oilers in 1976 for an 8th round draft choice (as he was slated to be cut in Houston’s training camp) and the rest is history. Largent absolutely tortured opposing defensive backs with his ability to juke, weave, and cut on a dime at full speed. As a receiver, his hands were phenomenal, as he was human flypaper, catching nearly every pass that came his way. Largent had one of his better years in 1984, leading the team in catches (74), receiving yards (1,164), and touchdowns (12). For those of you out there who never got to see this Hall of Fame legend play, here is a short documentary film on him -- Enjoy!
Steve Largent video …
[youtube]xngEhkD9uuA[/youtube]
The other guy who especially struck terror in the hearts of opposing DB’s in 1984 was Seattle’s 2nd Round Pick that year out of Michigan State -- Daryl Turner. With all due respect to guys like Joey Galloway and now Percy Harvin, a strong case can be made that Daryl Turner “the Afterburner” is the best deep threat in Seattle Seahawks history. As his nickname suggests, Turner was incredibly fast -- his career mark of 18.53 Yards/Reception is still a Seahawks record. Turner also holds the Seahawk rookie record for most receiving touchdowns by a rookie (10) as well as the Seahawk record for most receiving touchdowns in a season (13 in 1985). But Daryl Turner also holds the distinction of an eye popping stat that very may never be broken.
36% of the 101 receptions Daryl Turner caught in his meteoric career … went for touchdowns.
That’s an NFL Record (among receivers who have had at least 30 touchdowns in their career) for TD/Reception ratio that still stands to this day. It would have been interesting to see what the Seahawks could have done had his career not been cut short due to his alcohol and drug issues.
Though the achievements of those two are certainly laudable, it was Seahawks defense that truly left an indelible mark on the entire NFL landscape ...
[tdo=8]1984 Seahawks Defensive Playmakers[/tdo]
It’s important to note that a great many individual defensive stats (i.e. Tackles, Forced Fumbles, and such) simply weren’t kept by teams prior to about 1991, so it’s hard to get an accurate handle sometimes on just how dominant a particular player or group was in a given year. Because of that, I think that some Seahawks fans who never saw that 1984 team play don’t grasp just how good that defense truly was. There is a reason that Seahawks broadcaster Paul Moyer hems and haws when he’s asked, “Is this 2013 Seahawks team the best defense in team history?” A lot of former members of that defense and fans who actually saw that team play might dispute that as well. With all due respect to the Legion of Boom, after a week of studying this group intensely, I’m starting to become convinced that THEY had the greatest defensive backfield in the history of Seahawks football. A strong case can be made. Let’s go through some of the accomplishments of the 1984 Seahawks Defense and that phenomenal secondary …
The 1984 Defense…
Forced 63 turnovers -- still the 2nd most turnovers forced in NFL History.
Forced 47 fumbles that year -- still tied for 3rd all time in NFL History
Combined with Special Teams either scored themselves or set up 188 points.
Had 38 Interceptions (#1 in the NFL that year and still the Seahawks record for interceptions in a season)
Returned 8 interceptions for touchdowns -- most in Seahawks History. In Week 10, Seattle’s secondary intercepted 3 different Kansas City Chief quarterbacks 6 times … and returned 4 of those interceptions for touchdowns (All for 50 yards or more. A total of 325 return yards) -- that’s an NFL record.
They held opposing QB’s to a QB Rating of just 54.2 (#1 in the NFL in 1984 and the best mark in Seahawks History)
Had a Give Away/Take Away Ratio of +24 (1st in the league in 1984 … and the best margin in Seahawks History)
The rest of the numbers (posted at the top of this article) don’t really give justice for just how imposing this unit truly was. There’s a reason that Dave Brown, Kenny Easley, and Jacob Green are all in the Seahawks Ring of Honor.
Jacob Green [13.0 Sacks] (current Seahawk Red Byrant’s father in law), Jeff Bryant [14.5 Sacks], Joe Nash [7.0 Sacks], and Mike Fanning [7.0 Sacks] gave Seattle one of the most fearsome pass rushes in the NFL that year. Jacob Green and Joe Nash both made All Pro that year, as did another member of that defense, who to this day is one of the best defensive backs to ever play in the National Football League -- Kenny Easley.
I love Kam Chancellor and everything he brings to this current Seahawks Defense. That said, if I had the ability to some how, some way replace him with the 1984 version of Kenny Easley -- I would do it in a heartbeat. Kenny Easley wasn’t just a great safety -- he had “hide the women and children” ability and was absolutely as good as anyone who has ever played the position. His unique blend of size and speed made him a ferocious hitter. He was not only a sure tackler … he also had fantastic coverage ability and ball skills as well (if you combine Kam Chancellor with Earl Thomas, you would get Easley). Without a doubt, he is the best Strong Safety in the history of Seahawks football. Tragically though, a kidney condition brought upon by excessive Ibuprofen use felled the superstar after only 7 years. For those who never saw him play, here is a brief documentary film on him -- if you’re at all a fan of the NFL, you’ll literally salivate over the sheer talent this guy had ...
Kenny Easley Highlights …
[youtube]quxbCQ4m8Ww[/youtube]
Easley led the NFL in interceptions (10) and was unanimously named NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the AP in 1984. Easley along with FS John Harris (6 INT’s), CB Dave Brown (8 INT’s), and Keith Simpson (4 INT’s), Terry Jackson (4 INT’s), and 1st round draft choice Terry Taylor (3 INT’s) formed a ballhawking secondary that could be argued was the greatest in franchise history and certainly one of the best in NFL History.
Though Special Teams coverage team stats weren’t really kept in those days, Seattle’s Special Teams was also considered to be the best in the NFL in 1984. Fredd Young was voted for the Pro Bowl (a future starting LB for the Seahawks who would be named to 4 consecutive Pro Bowls) and Special Teams captain Eric Lane selected as an alternate that year.
Post-season
Because of their 2nd place finish in the AFC West (the Broncos went 13-3 in 1984), the Seahawks came in to the playoffs as the Wild Card that year.
In the 1st Round of the playoffs, Seattle beat the Super Bowl Defending Champion Raiders 13-7, knocking them off their pedestal.
Seattle’s magic carpet ride came to an abrupt halt the next week however, as the Seahawks ran into one of the greatest buzz-saws in the history of the NFL -- the 1984 Dolphins. In 1984, Dan Marino passed for 5,084 Yards and 48 Touchdowns (4th Most TD’s in a Season in NFL History) --they proceeded to carve up Seattle to the tune of 31-10 that year and in the process exact a measure of revenge for knocking them out of the playoffs in 1983.
Though it began in tragedy and turmoil, in so many ways the 1984 season became one of triumph. Seattle won more games (12) than any previous team in franchise history and set a standard for excellence that would not be equalled for 2 decades. It was also Coach Chuck Knox’s finest hour as well, as he won NFL Coach of the Year honors hands down.
And the 1984 Season made a lasting mark on the Seahawks and their fans -- the impact of which has been felt at every home game since that time. On December 15, 1984 (before the Seahawks final home game against the Broncos that season), former Seahawks interim coach, Director of Football Operations, and GM Mike McCormack made the announcement that the Seahawks #12 jersey would be forever retired in honor of the fans. So, 12th Man -- it all started here in 1984.
So Seahawk fans, after all of that … which Seahawk team do you believe is the best of all time? Cast your vote and let’s discuss it …
While the Seahawks await the Saints this next Saturday, I thought it would fun to take a look at this year’s team in context of 2 other Seahawks teams of the past. While it’s easy to crown the 2013 Seahawks as being the best team in Seahawks History … I would argue that there are 2 other teams that are worthy of consideration of that honor as well -- the 2005 team (obviously) … and for many a forgotten team of the past -- the 1984 Seahawks. Before we get into the specific stories of those 2 other teams, let’s lay out the numbers side by side and compare these 3 greats, shall we? ...
[Note: as statistics really need to be looked at in the context of a particular year, I’ve also included the league averages by year for each of the categories we’ll be taking a look at below.]
| Off. Category | 2013 Seahawks | 2013 League Avg. | 2005 Seahawks | 2005 League Avg. | 1984 Seahawks | 1984 League Avg. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points Scored | 417 (Tied 8th) | 374.5 | 452 (1st) | 329.9 | 418 (5th) | 339.4 |
| Scoring% | 40.7% (5th) | 33.97% | 38.9% (4th) | 31.08% | NA | NA |
| Total Yards | 5,424 (17th) | 5,575.8 | 5,915 (2nd) | 5,054.7 | 5,068 (18th) | 5,276.5 |
| Points Scored/Game | 26.1 (Tied 8th) | 23.41 | 28.2 (1st) | 20.61 | 26.1 (5th) | 21.2 |
| Yards/Game | 339.0 (17th) | 348.48 | 369.7 (2nd) | 315.92 | 316.8 (18th) | 329.79 |
| Rushing Attempts | 509 (2nd) | 433.5 | 519 (7th) | 449.22 | 495 (12th) | 493.25 |
| Rushing Yards | 2,188 (4th) | 1806.19 | 2,457 (3rd) | 1799.47 | 1,645 (25th) | 1982.25 |
| Avg. Rushing Yards/Game | 136.8 (4th) | 112.89 | 153.6 (3rd) | 112.5 | 102.8 (25th) | 123.9 |
| Avg. Yards/Rush | 4.3 (Tied 12th) | 4.2 | 4.7 (Tied 2nd) | 4.0 | 3.3 (Last) | 4.0 |
| Rushing TD’s | 14 (Tied 13th) | 12.8 | 29 (1st) | 13.5 | 10 (Tied 23rd) | 14.6 |
| 1st Downs | 307 (Tied 20th) | 319.1 | 361 (2nd) | 294.6 | 287 (23rd) | 309.2 |
| Pass Attempts | 420 (31st) | 566.8 | 474 (23rd) | 514.5 | 497 (14th) | 511.6 |
| Passing Yards | 3,236 (26th) | 3,769.7 | 3,458 (13th) | 3,255.3 | 3,423 (10th) | 3,294.2 |
| Avg. Passing Yards/Game | 202.2 (26th) | 235.6 | 216.1 (13th) | 203.5 | 213.9 (10th) | 205.9 |
| Avg. Yards/Pass Attempt | 8.4 (2nd) | 7.1 | 7.7 (Tied 5th) | 6.8 | 7.5 (7th) | 7.1 |
| Avg. Yards/Reception | 13.1 (3rd) | 11.6 | 11.8 (Tied 12th) | 11.4 | 13.3 (Tied 7th) | 12.7 |
| Pass Completion% | 63.6% (9th) | 61.2% | 64.8% (4th) | 59.5% | 56.9% (12th) | 56.4% |
| Passing TD’s | 27 (10th) | 25.1 | 25 (Tied 5th) | 20.1 | 32 (3rd) | 22 |
| QB Rating | 102.4 (5th) | 84.1 | 96.8 (3rd) | 78.2 | 80.6 (7th) | 73.2 |
| Interceptions Thrown | 9 (Tied 30th) | 15.7 | 10 (Tied 30th) | 15.8 | 26 (Tied 5th) | 20.9 |
| Sacks Allowed | 44 (Tied 10th) | 40.5 | 27 (Tied 27th) | 36.9 | 42 (Tied 19th) | 46.9 |
| Def. Category | 2013 Seahawks | 2013 League Avg. | 2005 Seahawks | 2005 League Avg. | 1984 Seahawks | 1984 League Avg. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Points Allowed | 231 (1st) | 374.5 | 271 (7th) | 329.9 | 282 (5th) | 339.4 |
| Total Yards Allowed | 4,378 (1st) | 5,575.8 | 5,069 (Tied 16th) | 5,054.7 | 4,963 (6th) | 5,276.5 |
| Points Allowed/Game | 14.4 (1st) | 23.41 | 16.9 (7th) | 20.61 | 17.6 (5th) | 21.2 |
| Yards Allowed/Game | [td]273.6 (1st) | 348.48 | 316.8 (Tied 16th) | 315.92 | 310.2 (6th) | 329.79 |
| Rushing Attempts Against | 422 (10th Fewest) | 433.5 | 420 (10th Fewest) | 449.22 | 475 (18th) | 493.25 |
| Rushing Yards Allowed | 1,626 (Tied 7th Fewest) | 1806.19 | 1,510 (5th Fewest) | 1799.47 | 1,789 (6th Fewest) | 1982.25 |
| Avg. Rushing Yards Allowed/Game | 101.6 (Tied 7th Fewest) | 112.89 | 94.4 (5th Fewest) | 112.5 | 111.8 (6th Fewest) | 123.9 |
| Avg. Yards/Rush Allowed | 3.9 (Tied 7th Fewest) | 4.2 | 3.6 (Tied 4th Fewest) | 4.0 | 3.8 (Tied 7th Fewest) | 4.0 |
| Rushing TD’s Allowed | 4 (Tied Fewest) | 12.8 | 5 (2nd Fewest) | 13.5 | 11 (Tied 8th Fewest) | 14.6 |
| 1st Downs Allowed | 282 (Tied 3rd Fewest) | 319.1 | 295 (Tied 17th) | 294.6 | 288 (5th Fewest) | 309.2 |
| Pass Attempts Against | 524 (7th Fewest) | 566.8 | 571 (29th) | 514.5 | 521 (18th) | 511.6 |
| Passing Yards Allowed | 2,752 (Fewest) | 3,769.7 | 3,559 (25th) | 3,255.3 | 3,174 (10th Fewest) | 3,294.2 |
| Avg. Passing Yards/Game Allowed | 172.0 (Fewest) | 235.6 | 222.4 (25th) | 203.5 | 198.4 (10th Fewest) | 205.9 |
| Avg. Yards/Pass Attempt Allowed | 5.8 (Fewest) | 7.1 | 6.8 (Tied 17th) | 6.8 | 6.9 (Tied 8th) | 7.1 |
| Avg. Yards/Reception Allowed | 9.9 (Fewest) | 11.6 | 11.7 (Tied 22nd) | 11.4 | 13.5 (Tied 25th) | 12.7 |
| Pass Completion% Allowed | 59.0% (Tied 9th Fewest) | 61.2% | 58.0% (Tied 12th Fewest) | 59.5% | 50.9% (5th Fewest) | 56.4% |
| Passing TD’s Allowed | 16 (2nd Fewest) | 25.1 | 18 (Tied 9th Fewest) | 20.1 | 18 (Tied 7th Fewest) | 22 |
| QB Rating Allowed | 63.4 (Best) | 84.1 | 77.4 (Tied 12th) | 78.2 | 54.2 (Best) | 73.2 |
| Interceptions | 28 (1st) | 15.7 | 16 (Tied 14th) | 15.8 | 38 (1st) | 20.9 |
| Sacks | 44 (Tied 8th) | 40.5 | 50 (1st) | 36.9 | 55 (Tied 7th) | 46.9 |
Give Away/Take Away Margin …
2013 Seahawks … +20 (1st)
2005 Seahawks … +10 (7th)
1984 Seahawks … +24 (1st)
While I could wax poetic about them, the story of the 2013 Seahawks is still being written in many ways and is obviously right in front of us. So, let’s delve in deeper to those other 2 teams of the past and recount some Hawks' history ...
The 2005 Seahawks … Record: 13-3 ...
[youtube]q6lpwg6-kiE[/youtube]
Fresh off a less than stellar 9-7 season the year prior, the story of the 2005 Seahawks began in an unlikely fashion with an extreme amount of change and turnover. Team owner Paul Allen set the tone for the year, firing GM Bob Whitsitt on January 14th (the same day Ted Thompson left to become the GM of the Packers) and bringing back Mike Reinfeldt on February 3rd as a consultant to help sort out the huge mess the Seahawks had. At the time of Whitsitt’s firing, the Hawks had 16 Free Agents, including Matt Hasselbeck, Shawn Alexander, and Walter Jones. Reinfeldt pulled off an absolute miracle in short order, inking Hasselbeck and Jones to long term deals … and franchising Alexander to stem the tide of what could have been a tsunami of a disaster for the team. Tim Ruskell was hired on February 23, 2005 as GM and in his 1 stellar season really reshaped the identity of the team, letting go of high profile free agents like DE Chike Okeafor, LB Chad Brown, and LB Anthony Simmons … and bringing in a lot of no name free agents (who became key contributors) like WR Joe Jurevicius, DE Joe Tafoya, LB Jamie Sharper, and CB Kelly Herndon. The Seahawks also nabbed ⅔ of their starting LB corps for the next few years in April’s NFL Draft, selecting Pro Bowl MLB Lofa Tatupu in the 2nd Round … and Leroy Hill in the 3rd Round.
Seattle stumbled right out of the gate, losing at Jacksonville 26-14 in the Season Opener as Seattle turned the ball over 5 times that day. From there though, the team went on a roll, winning 13 of its final 15 games including 11 in a row at one point. Powered by an offensive line that featured 2 of the greatest lineman to ever play the game in LT Walter Jones and LG Steve Hutchinson, Seattle finished with league-leading 452 Points Scored. Let’s take a look at a brief breakdown of the offense that year ...
| Rush Attempts | Rushing Yards | Yards/Carry | Runs of 20 Yards+ | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 370 | 1,880 | 5.1 | 14 | 27 Rushing (1 Receiving) |
Shaun Alexander’s 2005 Season was one for the ages, as he set the team record for most rushing yards in a season. Not only that, but Alexander would break Priest Holmes’s record for the most Rushing TD’s in a season in NFL History.
Shaun Alexander 2005 Highlights ...
[youtube]BXttr6qph80[/youtube]
Shaun Alexander not only made the Pro Bowl -- he was named MVP of the League. He was absolute money to get in to the end zone within the 20 yard line, but it should be noted that FB Mack Strong’s lead blocking was instrumental to Alexander’s success that year as well -- a fact that didn’t go unnoticed, as Strong made the Pro Bowl as well.
Alexander’s mercurial season also allowed QB Matt Hasselbeck to have one of his finest seasons as well …
| Pass Comp. | Pass Att. | Comp% | Yards | TD’s | INT’s | QB Rating | Times Sacked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 294 | 449 | 65.5% | 3,459 | 24 | 9 | 98.2 (Best in NFC) | 24 |
That rhythm passing attack of Mike Holmgren’s West Coast Offense was humming along, as Hasselbeck spread the ball around well that year ...
| Receiver | Size | Catches | Yards | Yards/Catch | TD’s | #Catches of 20 Yds+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WR Bobby Engram | 5’10” 188 Lbs | 67 | 778 | 11.6 | 3 | 7 |
| WR Joe Jurevicius | 6’5” 230 Lbs | 55 | 694 | 12.6 | 10 | 9 |
| TE Jerramy Stevens | 6’7” 260 Lbs | 45 | 554 | 12.3 | 5 | 7 |
| WR Darrell Jackson | 6’0” 201 Lbs | 38 | 482 | 12.7 | 3 | 4 |
| WR D.J. Hackett | 6’2” 199 Lbs | 28 | 400 | 14.3 | 2 | 5 |
| FB Mack Strong | 6’0” 245 Lbs | 22 | 166 | 7.5 | 0 | 2 |
Together, that group dominated the NFL, as they were near the top in several statistical categories that year.
The 2005 Defense…
On the Defensive side of the ball, the Seahawks that year had their share of playmakers as well ...
| Player | Size | Tackles | Tackles for Loss | Sacks | Forced Fumbles | INT’s | Passes Defensed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB Lofa Tatupu | 6’0” 238 Lbs | 104 | 5 | 4.0 | 0 | 3 | 10 |
| LB LeRoy Hill | 6’1” 224 Lbs | 72 | 5 | 7.5 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| S Jordan Babineaux | 6’0” 200 Lbs | 74 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 8 |
| SS Michael Boulware | 6’3” 220 Lbs | 73 | 2 | 2.0 | 1 | 4 | 9 |
| FS Marquand Manuel | 6’0” 209 Lbs | 71 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| CB Marcus Trufant | 5’11” 199 Lbs | 64 | 3 | 1.0 | 1 | 1 | 14 |
| LB D.D. Lewis | 6’1” 241 Lbs | 62 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| CB Kelly Herndon | 6’0” 200 Lbs | 54 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 8 |
| DE Grant Wistrom | 6’4” 272 Lbs | 52 | 3 | 4.0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| DT Rocky Bernard | 6’3” 293 Lbs | 52 | 6 | 8.5 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| DE Bryce Fisher | 6’3” 272 Lbs | 47 | 4 | 9.0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| DT Marcus Tubbs | 6’4” 324 Lbs | 40 | 2 | 5.5 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| LB Jamie Sharper | 6’3” 240 Lbs | 37 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| CB Jimmy Williams | 5’11” 190 Lbs | 33 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
| LB Kevin Bentley | 6’1” 245 Lbs | 31 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| DT Chartric Darby | 6’0” 200 Lbs | 30 | 2 | 2.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DE Joe Tafoya | 6’4” 278 Lbs | 29 | 1 | 1.0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| FS Ken Hamlin | 6’2” 209 Lbs | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| CB Andre Dyson | 5’10” 183 Lbs | 20 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 10 |
| DT Craig Terrill | 6’2” 294 Lbs | 18 | 3 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
2005’s Defensive Unit was a fairly stout group that was fairly stingy in terms of Points Allowed (they ranked 7th Best that year with 16.9 Points/Game Allowed) thanks in large part to a strong pass rush (their 50 Sacks was #1 in the NFL that year) and a crew that didn’t give up a lot of yards on the ground (only 94.4 Yards/Game -- 5th Fewest that year).
Seattle owed a lot of its success that year to a pair of rookie LB’s who would help transform that defense in to one of the better units in football. Lofa Tatupu with his incredible ability to read and react seemingly faster than anyone in the NFL … and LeRoy Hill with his great sideline to sideline speed made Seattle’s run defense one of the best in football in 2005. Tatupu would make the Pro Bowl his rookie season and cement himself as the captain of that defense.
Though Seattle’s defense was very good that year, they weren’t without their problems. The Seahawks secondary suffered its first real loss when FS Ken Hamlin was placed on Injured Reserve after he was severely injured in a fight at a Seattle night club on October 17, 2005. That forced Marquand Manuel in to the starting lineup … and Manuel responded well at the free safety position, giving up far fewer big plays than Hamlin, who always seemed to favor going for the knockout blow and compromising coverage in the process. However, depth in the defensive backfield would become an issue that would eventually rear its ugly head in the Super Bowl. If there was a weakness on this team, it would be Seattle’s secondary, as they were more of a bend but don’t break kind of unit that surrendered a lot of yards, though not a lot of points …
3,559 Passing Yards Allowed (25th)
222.4 Passing Yards/Game Allowed (25th)
6.8 Yards/Pass Allowed (Tied 17th)
11.7 Yards/Reception Allowed (Tied 22nd)
18 Passing TD’s Allowed (9th Fewest)
Post-season
The #1 Seed and Home Field Advantage worked well for Seattle the first time around (let’s hope it does again), as the Hawks beat …
The Redskins at Century Link Field 20-10 on January 10th, 2005 despite losing Shaun Alexander to a concussion in that game.
The Panthers in convincing fashion in the NFC Championship Game at Century Link Field 34-14 on January 22, 2005.
The magic carpet ride would come to an end in Detroit though, as the Steelers walked away as the champs of Super Bowl XL 21-10. That game was fraught with controversy however, as there were several questionable calls made at key moments. In an ESPN Poll done on February 7th after the game, 61.7% of the 103,167 respondents felt that officiating mistakes affected the game. Coach Holmgren agreed and at a rally at Cenutry Link Field afterwards said, "We knew it was going to be tough going against the Pittsburgh Steelers. I didn't know we were going to have to play the guys in the striped shirts as well." The fact that Holmgren was never fined speaks volumes as does the fact that in 2010 official Bill Leavy showed up to Seahawks training camp and admitted that he blew 2 calls in that game. Let’s hope that doesn’t happen this time around.
Most of us know a lot about the 2005 Seahawks though. Let’s move on and talk about a club that many around here might not be as familiar with ...
The 1984 Seahawks … Record: 12-4 ...
For those of you who have the time, I highly recommend Clare Farnsworth’s article on the 1984 season and the 23 minute NFL films documentary video he has attached to it …
NFL Films Video: From the Heart -- The Story of the 1984 Seattle Seahawks
I promise it will be well worth your time to honor the memory of a season that should never be forgotten by Seattle sports fans. 21 Years before the Seahawks miracle ride of 2005 … Seattle fans were treated to another season of Hawks football that was no less miraculous. Like in 2005, the Seahawks had just come off a 9-7 season -- but unlike 2004, the 1983 season was one of hope. Like the Mariners of 1995, no one envisioned great things from a club that struggled to maintain .500 during the regular season. But the 1983 Seahawks (like the 1995 Mariners) are a real testament to that fact that’s it’s all about GETTING INTO playoffs and that once you’re there -- anything can happen. And it most certainly did happen for the 1983 Hawks. Fueled by rookie RB Curt Warner (who won AFC Rookie of the Year), Steve Largent, and a tough but at times suspect defense, Seattle went from a team that sneaked into the playoffs as a Wild Card … all the way to the AFC Championship Game. Though the Seahawks lost to the eventual Super Bowl Champion Oakland Raiders in the AFC Championship 30-14, hopes were high that the next season Seattle would find themselves hoisting the Lombardi Trophy.
All of those hopes and dreams for the 1984 Season appeared to go up in flames like the Hindenburg right from the get go in the opener however. Although Seattle pounded the Browns 33-0 in front of a raucous 12th Man at the Kingdome on Monday Night Football, one play would change the course of the entire season. On a toss sweep to the the right in the 2nd Quarter, RB Curt Warner tore the ACL in his right knee and was lost for the season. For Head Coach Chuck Knox, Warner’s injury was a devastating blow. Above all things, Knox believed in 2 things -- hard nosed tough defense … and ball control offense by running the ball, running the ball, and then running it some more. Somewhere, Pete Carroll is smiling in admiration.
After Warner’s injury, Seahawks GM Mike McCormack went into scramble mode, inking former Steeler legend Franco Harris the next week. But the days of the Immaculate Reception were as long past as Go Go Clubs for the then 34 year old future Hall of Famer. Though Harris and the rest of Seattle’s running back by committee put forth a noble effort, their numbers speak for themselves …
| Player | Size | Rush Attempts | Rushing Yards | Yards/Carry | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FB David Hughes | 6’0” 220 Lbs | 94 | 327 | 3.5 | 1 |
| RB Eric Lane | 6’0” 195 Lbs | 80 | 299 | 3.7 | 4 |
| RB Dan Doornink | 6’3” 210 Lbs | 57 | 215 | 3.8 | 0 |
| RB Randall Morris | 6’0” 190 Lbs | 58 | 189 | 3.3 | 0 |
| QB Dave Krieg | 6’1” 185 Lbs | 46 | 186 | 4.0 | 3 |
| FB Franco Harris | 6’2” 225 Lbs | 68 | 170 | 2.5 | 0 |
| RB/KR Zachary Dixon | 6’1” 204 Lbs | 52 | 149 | 2.9 | 2 |
| Team Totals | NA | 495 | 1,645 | 3.3 | 10 |
The 1984 Seahawks Running game ended the season ranked …
23rd out of 28 Teams in Rushing Touchdowns (10)
25th in Rushing Yards Gained (1,645 Yards) despite having the 12th Most Rushing Attempts (495)
Dead Last in Rushing Yards/Attempt (Only 3.3 Yards/Carry)
For all intents and purposes, many of the offensive schemes that Seattle had been developing and working on throughout the entire offseason and training camp went right out the window after Warner went down. Knox could either allow the Seahawks season to be derailed … or he could innovate. A stunningly improbable transformation occurred in short order, as the leopard really did change his spots -- Ground Chuck (as he was affectionately known) suddenly morphed into Air Knox. Seattle chose to play to their strengths, passing 69.5% of the time that season. In the process, the Seahawks not only saved their season … they would post a team record for wins in a season that would not be broken for 21 years.
QB Dave Krieg (AKA Mudbone) responded with the best season of his career …
| Pass Comp. | Pass Att. | Comp% | Yards | TD’s | INT’s | QB Rating | Times Sacked |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 276 | 480 | 57.5% | 3,671 | 32 | 24 | 83.3 | 40 |
In 1984, 6.7% of all Krieg’s passes went for touchdowns (a rate that was 2nd that year only to Dan Marino). Dave Krieg’s 32 Passing TD’s and 3,671 Passing Yards in a season are Seahawk franchise records that still stand to this day.
Krieg connected with a number of targets that year ...
| Receiver | Size | Catches | Yards | Yards/Catch | TD’s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WR Steve Largent | 5’11” 184 Lbs | 74 | 1,164 | 15.7 | 12 |
| WR Daryl Turner | 6’3” 198 Lbs | 35 | 715 | 20.4 | 10 |
| TE Charlie Young | 6’4” 234Lbs | 33 | 337 | 10.2 | 1 |
| RB Dan Doornink | 6’3” 210 Lbs | 31 | 365 | 11.8 | 2 |
| FB David Hughes | 6’0” 220 Lbs | 22 | 121 | 5.5 | 1 |
| WR Paul Johns | 5’11” 170 Lbs | 17 | 207 | 12.2 | 1 |
| WR Byron Walker | 6’4” 190 Lbs | 13 | 236 | 18.2 | 1 |
| RB Eric Lane | 6’0” 195 Lbs | 11 | 101 | 9.2 | 1 |
| RB Randall Morris | 6’0” 190 Lbs | 9 | 61 | 6.8 | 0 |
| TE Mike Tice | 6’7” 250 Lbs | 8 | 90 | 11.3 | 3 |
| WR Chris Castor | 6’0” 170 Lbs | 8 | 89 | 11.1 | 0 |
| WR Paul Skansi | 5’11” 190 Lbs | 7 | 85 | 12.1 | 0 |
Seattle averaged 26.1 Points/Game and finished 5th in the NFL in Points Scored (418) thanks in large part to the efforts of 2 very special and dominant receivers that year -- Steve Largent and Daryl Turner.
Those who never got a chance to see Steve Largent play are truly deprived. The knock on him coming in to the league was that he was simply too small and too slow (he only ran a 4.7 40 yard dash) to play receiver in this league. He was traded to the Seahawks by the Oilers in 1976 for an 8th round draft choice (as he was slated to be cut in Houston’s training camp) and the rest is history. Largent absolutely tortured opposing defensive backs with his ability to juke, weave, and cut on a dime at full speed. As a receiver, his hands were phenomenal, as he was human flypaper, catching nearly every pass that came his way. Largent had one of his better years in 1984, leading the team in catches (74), receiving yards (1,164), and touchdowns (12). For those of you out there who never got to see this Hall of Fame legend play, here is a short documentary film on him -- Enjoy!
Steve Largent video …
[youtube]xngEhkD9uuA[/youtube]
The other guy who especially struck terror in the hearts of opposing DB’s in 1984 was Seattle’s 2nd Round Pick that year out of Michigan State -- Daryl Turner. With all due respect to guys like Joey Galloway and now Percy Harvin, a strong case can be made that Daryl Turner “the Afterburner” is the best deep threat in Seattle Seahawks history. As his nickname suggests, Turner was incredibly fast -- his career mark of 18.53 Yards/Reception is still a Seahawks record. Turner also holds the Seahawk rookie record for most receiving touchdowns by a rookie (10) as well as the Seahawk record for most receiving touchdowns in a season (13 in 1985). But Daryl Turner also holds the distinction of an eye popping stat that very may never be broken.
36% of the 101 receptions Daryl Turner caught in his meteoric career … went for touchdowns.
That’s an NFL Record (among receivers who have had at least 30 touchdowns in their career) for TD/Reception ratio that still stands to this day. It would have been interesting to see what the Seahawks could have done had his career not been cut short due to his alcohol and drug issues.
Though the achievements of those two are certainly laudable, it was Seahawks defense that truly left an indelible mark on the entire NFL landscape ...
| Player | Size | Sacks | Fumble Recoveries | INT’s | Defensive TD’s |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NT Joe Nash | 6’3” 250 Lbs | 7.0 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| DE Jeff Bryant | 6’5” 270 Lbs | 14.5 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| DE Jacob Green | 6’3” 255 Lbs | 13.0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| DT/DE Mike Fanning | 6’6” 256 Lbs | 7.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SS Kenny Easley | 6’3” 206 Lbs | 0 | 1 | 10 | 2 |
| CB Dave Brown | 6’2” 190 Lbs | 0 | 1 | 8 | 2 |
| FS John Harris | 6’3” 206 Lbs | 1.0 | 1 | 6 | 0 |
| LB Greg Gaines | 6’3” 220 Lbs | 3.5 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| CB Keith Simpson | 6’1” 195 Lbs | 2.0 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| CB Terry Taylor | 5’10” 175 Lbs | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| LB Shelton Robinson | 6’3” 233 Lbs | 0.5 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| CB Terry Jackson | 5’11” 197 Lbs | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 |
| LB Bruce Scholtz | 6’6” 240 Lbs | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| LB Keith Butler | 6’4” 238 Lbs | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| LB Fredd Young | 6’1” 220 Lbs | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DE Randy Edwards | 6’4” 255 Lbs | 1.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| S Paul Moyer | 6’1” 201 Lbs | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DT Dino Mangiero | 6’2” 270 Lbs | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| LB Michael Jackson | 6’1” 220 Lbs | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| S Don Dufek | 6’0” 195 Lbs | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
It’s important to note that a great many individual defensive stats (i.e. Tackles, Forced Fumbles, and such) simply weren’t kept by teams prior to about 1991, so it’s hard to get an accurate handle sometimes on just how dominant a particular player or group was in a given year. Because of that, I think that some Seahawks fans who never saw that 1984 team play don’t grasp just how good that defense truly was. There is a reason that Seahawks broadcaster Paul Moyer hems and haws when he’s asked, “Is this 2013 Seahawks team the best defense in team history?” A lot of former members of that defense and fans who actually saw that team play might dispute that as well. With all due respect to the Legion of Boom, after a week of studying this group intensely, I’m starting to become convinced that THEY had the greatest defensive backfield in the history of Seahawks football. A strong case can be made. Let’s go through some of the accomplishments of the 1984 Seahawks Defense and that phenomenal secondary …
The 1984 Defense…
Forced 63 turnovers -- still the 2nd most turnovers forced in NFL History.
Forced 47 fumbles that year -- still tied for 3rd all time in NFL History
Combined with Special Teams either scored themselves or set up 188 points.
Had 38 Interceptions (#1 in the NFL that year and still the Seahawks record for interceptions in a season)
Returned 8 interceptions for touchdowns -- most in Seahawks History. In Week 10, Seattle’s secondary intercepted 3 different Kansas City Chief quarterbacks 6 times … and returned 4 of those interceptions for touchdowns (All for 50 yards or more. A total of 325 return yards) -- that’s an NFL record.
They held opposing QB’s to a QB Rating of just 54.2 (#1 in the NFL in 1984 and the best mark in Seahawks History)
Had a Give Away/Take Away Ratio of +24 (1st in the league in 1984 … and the best margin in Seahawks History)
The rest of the numbers (posted at the top of this article) don’t really give justice for just how imposing this unit truly was. There’s a reason that Dave Brown, Kenny Easley, and Jacob Green are all in the Seahawks Ring of Honor.
Jacob Green [13.0 Sacks] (current Seahawk Red Byrant’s father in law), Jeff Bryant [14.5 Sacks], Joe Nash [7.0 Sacks], and Mike Fanning [7.0 Sacks] gave Seattle one of the most fearsome pass rushes in the NFL that year. Jacob Green and Joe Nash both made All Pro that year, as did another member of that defense, who to this day is one of the best defensive backs to ever play in the National Football League -- Kenny Easley.
I love Kam Chancellor and everything he brings to this current Seahawks Defense. That said, if I had the ability to some how, some way replace him with the 1984 version of Kenny Easley -- I would do it in a heartbeat. Kenny Easley wasn’t just a great safety -- he had “hide the women and children” ability and was absolutely as good as anyone who has ever played the position. His unique blend of size and speed made him a ferocious hitter. He was not only a sure tackler … he also had fantastic coverage ability and ball skills as well (if you combine Kam Chancellor with Earl Thomas, you would get Easley). Without a doubt, he is the best Strong Safety in the history of Seahawks football. Tragically though, a kidney condition brought upon by excessive Ibuprofen use felled the superstar after only 7 years. For those who never saw him play, here is a brief documentary film on him -- if you’re at all a fan of the NFL, you’ll literally salivate over the sheer talent this guy had ...
Kenny Easley Highlights …
[youtube]quxbCQ4m8Ww[/youtube]
Easley led the NFL in interceptions (10) and was unanimously named NFL Defensive Player of the Year by the AP in 1984. Easley along with FS John Harris (6 INT’s), CB Dave Brown (8 INT’s), and Keith Simpson (4 INT’s), Terry Jackson (4 INT’s), and 1st round draft choice Terry Taylor (3 INT’s) formed a ballhawking secondary that could be argued was the greatest in franchise history and certainly one of the best in NFL History.
Though Special Teams coverage team stats weren’t really kept in those days, Seattle’s Special Teams was also considered to be the best in the NFL in 1984. Fredd Young was voted for the Pro Bowl (a future starting LB for the Seahawks who would be named to 4 consecutive Pro Bowls) and Special Teams captain Eric Lane selected as an alternate that year.
Post-season
Because of their 2nd place finish in the AFC West (the Broncos went 13-3 in 1984), the Seahawks came in to the playoffs as the Wild Card that year.
In the 1st Round of the playoffs, Seattle beat the Super Bowl Defending Champion Raiders 13-7, knocking them off their pedestal.
Seattle’s magic carpet ride came to an abrupt halt the next week however, as the Seahawks ran into one of the greatest buzz-saws in the history of the NFL -- the 1984 Dolphins. In 1984, Dan Marino passed for 5,084 Yards and 48 Touchdowns (4th Most TD’s in a Season in NFL History) --they proceeded to carve up Seattle to the tune of 31-10 that year and in the process exact a measure of revenge for knocking them out of the playoffs in 1983.
Though it began in tragedy and turmoil, in so many ways the 1984 season became one of triumph. Seattle won more games (12) than any previous team in franchise history and set a standard for excellence that would not be equalled for 2 decades. It was also Coach Chuck Knox’s finest hour as well, as he won NFL Coach of the Year honors hands down.
And the 1984 Season made a lasting mark on the Seahawks and their fans -- the impact of which has been felt at every home game since that time. On December 15, 1984 (before the Seahawks final home game against the Broncos that season), former Seahawks interim coach, Director of Football Operations, and GM Mike McCormack made the announcement that the Seahawks #12 jersey would be forever retired in honor of the fans. So, 12th Man -- it all started here in 1984.
So Seahawk fans, after all of that … which Seahawk team do you believe is the best of all time? Cast your vote and let’s discuss it …
Bumping this for fun as we start to get ready for the "real" NFL season begins for the Seahawks
