The Hawkstorian's All-Time Numeric Roster

[BASF]

Terreal Bierria has the most starts, but my memories of him have been repressed.

As well it should be. I guarantee I would pitch a fit of epic proportions if Terreal Bierria was named MVP, like warner28 level ranting.

I have loved this post, as I did something similar a year ago on my own. It's interesting getting background on people who were always just a stat sheet for me before the internet.

 

[Hawkstorian]

is the Doctor next?

It's a tough call next. 3 really good candidates.

 

[Hawkstorian]

#33

First	Last	College	Pos	Years	Games	Starts
Andrew	Bolton	Fisk	RB	1976	5	2
Dan	Doornink	Washington State	FB	1979-1985	98	45
Tommie	Agee	Auburn	FB	1987-1988	17	0
Elroy	Harris	Eastern Kentucky	RB	1989	14	0
Dedrick	Dodge	Florida State	S	1991-1992	25	0
Darryl	Williams	Miami	S	1996-1999	63	62
Maurice	Kelly	E. Tennessee State	S	2000-2001	24	3
Doug	Evans	Lousiana Tech	CB	2002-2003	18	0
Marquand	Manuel	Florida	S	2004-2005	35	14
Josh	Scobey	Kansas State	RB	2005-2007	37	0
Justin	Griffith	Mississippi State	FB	2009	13	11
Leon	Washington	Florida State	RB	2010-2012	52	2
Christine	Michael	Texas A&M	RB	2013	4	0

Andrew Bolton was a 4th round pick in 1976 and the starting RB in the team's inaugural game. He had 12 carries for 37 -- nothing all that great but hey we've seen worse. He had exactly one more carry in 4 weeks and was cut so the team could sign an extra DT. Not sure why they gave up on him so quickly. If we had 53 man rosters back then I'm sure he would had the benefit of a red-shirt year like our current #33 Christine Michael.

Elroy Harris did a backflip in the endzone after scoring in the pre-season. I'm pretty sure that's why it's a penalty now, but it was kind of cool to see a guy do that with full football gear on!

Three really good players here, and tough to pick the MVP.

Dan Doornink was called "Dr. Dan" because he went to medical school in the off-season, and eventually settled into his medical practice in Yakima after his career ended. He was the third down master back then, always seeming to move the chains by catching that simple swing pass out of the backfield. Doornink also was part of the cadre of backs who filled in for Curt Warner in 1983. He came out of nowhere to rush for 126 yards in the 1984 playoff game vs. the Raiders, one of the best post-season performances in team history. One of the most popular players in team history.

Darryl Williams was a free agent acquistion from Cincinatti, and was the complete package at safety. He was a big hitter but also 20 picks in 4 years. He went to the pro bowl in 1997 after leading the league, with 8 interceptions.

Before there was such thing as a "defenseless receiver":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zBeqQu3QQ8Q

Leon Washington is the best kick/punt returner in team history. The man returned TWO KICKOFFS FOR TOUCHDOWN IN THE SAME FREAKING GAME. It's a shame the NFL has tried to legislate away the kickoff return, it's always been a very exciting play when a guy like Washington breaks one.

I'm going to go with the every down player, although Doornink is a very close second, and sentimental favorite.

 

[SeatownJay]

If any number deserved "co-winners", it's this one with Doornink & Williams.

 

[hawksfansinceday1]

Dr. Dan for me just cuz he's a native of Wapato. Always root for the Eastern Washington guys.

 

[Hawkstorian]

#32

First	Last	College	Pos	Years	Games	Starts
Mike	Curtis	Duke	LB	1976	14	14
Jeff	Moore	Jackson State	RB	1979-1981	32	3
Horace	Ivory	Oklahoma	RB	1981-1982	12	0
Cullen	Bryant	Colorado	FB	1983-1984	23	8
John L.	Williams	Florida	FB	1986-1993	125	116
Oscar	Gray	Arkansas	FB	1996-1997	9	0
Rickey	Watters	Notre Dame	RB	1998-2001	54	53
Kerry	Carter	Stanford	RB	2003-2004	34	0
Kevin	Hobbs	Auburn	CB	2007-2008	21	0
Edgerrin	James	Miami	RB	2009	7	0
Marcus	Brown	Arkansas State	CB	2010	1	0
Quinton	Ganther	Utah	RB	2010	3	1
Jeron	Johnson	Boise State	S	2011-2013	32	0

Mike Curtis was an 11 year veteran from Baltimore when he came to Seattle in the expansion draft. He was also a Super Bowl champion and 4 time pro bowler and along with Norm Evans, probably the more well-known early Seahawk. It still seems a little strange to bring in veterans at the end of their career to an expansion team, but he did play another two season in Washington after being cut by the Seahawks in 1977.

I have to admit I didn't really appreciate Rickey Watters enough while he was here. Watching Marshawn Lynch now makes me realize what a tough runner can do for a team. He is currently 6th on the Seahawk's all-time rushing list.

Our current #32 is Jeron Johnson, who has played mostly on special teams, and was hurt as the team made its championship run.

John L. Williams is not only the best #32 in team history, but unquestionably the best FB in team history. Mack Strong has had the sentimental attraction of many fans, but Williams was the most complete package of blocker, runner and receiver in team history. Also consider that there were a few years there where he was basically our entire offense. He is currently 3rd all-time in total yards from scrimmage behind a couple of guys named Largent and Alexander. Great, great player, and another terrible omission to the ring of honor.

 

[Seahawk Sailor]

If not for John L., Ricky "Running" Watters would easily take top spot at #32. Sad thing is, he's far better than a whole bunch of the #1's who wore a whole bunch of the numbers listed so far.

 

[ChiefHawk]

Personally, I think 32 may be one of the worst decisions to have to make.

In 1995, I was rooting for the Steelers just so John L and Norm could get a SB ring.

Ricky Watters had a fantastic career, but because his time was almost evenly split between three teams, he may not ever have the following in one city that he may have otherwise gained.

 

[3Girls'HawkDad]

John L in a landslide.

Watters was good, but IMO in par with Fenner, and Warren. Below Warner, Lynch and Alexander.

Williams could knock a linebacker on his ass opening a hole for Warner, play tailback for consecutive games and if I recall correctly, when Krieg became a check down artist, Williams led us in receiving for the entire year. Dude could take a swing pass and go 80 yards.

Second the ROH nomination

 

[hawksfansinceday1]

John L in a landslide.

Watters was good, but IMO in par with Fenner, and Warren. Below Warner, Lynch and Alexander.

Williams could knock a linebacker on his ass opening a hole for Warner, play tailback for consecutive games and if I recall correctly, when Krieg became a check down artist, Williams led us in receiving for the entire year. Dude could take a swing pass and go 80 yards.

Second the ROH nomination

Agree with all of this except ROH.

 

[Hawkstorian]

#31

First	Last	College	Pos	Years	Games	Starts
Tony	Benjamin	Duke	RB	1977-1979	28	1
Zach	Dixon	Temple	RB	1983-1984	29	2
Vernon	Dean	San Diego State	S	1988	17	0
Vann	McElroy	Baylor	S	1990-1991	10	0
Malcolm	Frank	Baylor	S	1992	15	0
Orlando	Watters	Arkansas	CB	1994	16	8
Steve	Broussard	Washington State	RB	1995-1998	58	2
Charlie	Rogers	Georgia Tech	KR	1999-2001	41	0
Marcus	Robertson	Iowa	S	2001-2002	27	27
Kelly	Herndon	Toledo	CB	2005-2006	31	22
Kam	Chancellor	Virginia Tech	S	2010-2013	70	52

Tony Benjamin was a 6th round pick in 1977. A knee injury in week 6 kept him out all the way until week 9 of 1978. He's the first PUP player in team history! He came back healthy in 1979 but only had 5 carries for 13 yards.

When Curt Warner hurt his knee in 1984, Zach Dixon came in the game and had 15 carries for 36 yards but then also twisted his knee. Fortunately he was only out 3 weeks, but by then Franco Harris was the starter. Check out page 120 of the 1985 media guide here: http://seahawksmedia.com/MediaGuideArchives/1985MG2.pdf and look at the group of running backs that filled in that year. It's quite an interesting picture.

Steve Broussard and Charlie Rogers: A couple of electric kick returners. Broussard also was a decent 3rd RB.

The best #31 in Seahawk history and my SB48 Co-MVP:

 

[Hawkstorian]

#30

First	Last	College	Pos	Years	Games	Starts
Oliver	Ross	Alabama A&M	RB	1976	10	0
Lawrence	McCutcheon	Colorado State	RB	1980	8	1
Theotis	Brown	UCLA	RB	1981-1983	22	7
Bobby Joe	Edmonds	Arkansas	RB	1986-1988	44	0
James	Jones	Florida	FB	1989-1992	49	7
Corey	Harris	Florida	CB	1995-1996	32	32
Ahman	Green	Nebraska	RB	1998-1999	31	0
Walter	Bernard	New Mexico	CB	2002	1	0
Marquis	Weeks	Virginia	RB	2006	12	0
Nate	Ness	Arizona	CB	2010	1	1
Perrish	Cox	Oklahoma State	CB	2013	2	0

Oliver Ross was part of the legion that was claimed off waivers prior to the 1976 season. He had 13 carries, the same as Andrew Bolton who was a 4th round pick and was cut after 6 games. Hard to understand why they give up on a draft pick to keep a mediocre veteran.

Lawrence McCutcheon and Theotis Brown were both veteran running backs who had had success elsewhere, and provided some spark in Seattle, although neither sparks resulted in actual fire.

Ahman Green had a very nice career in Green Bay. In 2 seasons here behind Rickey Watters he had 61 carries.

The most recent #30 was Perrish Cox, who provided some depth while both Brandon Browner and Walter Thurmond were suspended.

I'm happy to award the MVP here to Bobby Joe Edmonds. He probably isn't the greatest kick returner in history, but he represents the many guys who have been electric at the job. Edmonds, Broussard, Rogers, Washington... we've had some good ones, but only Bobby Joe is the best at his number.

 

[Hawkstorian]

#29

First	Last	College	Pos	Years	Games	Starts
Al	Matthews	Texas A&I	S	1976	14	14
Harold	Jackson	Jackson State	WR	1983	18	6
Rick	Parros	Utah State	RB	1985	4	0
Dwayne	Harper	South Carolina State	CB	1988-1993	95	76
Tony	Brown	Fresno State	CB	1994-1995	29	5
C.J.	Richardson	Miami	S	1997	14	0
Curtis	Fuller	Texas Christian	S	2001-2002	26	2
Pete	Hunter	Virginia Union	CB	2006	2	0
Earl	Thomas	Texas	S	2010-2013	71	71

Al Matthews was a 4 year starter in Green Bay before coming to Seattle in the expansion draft. He started every game at strong safety in '76 but was cut the following year as Steve Preece earned the starting job.

Dwayne Harper went from an 11th round pick in 1988 to starter in 1989. He an Patrick Hunter formed the best CB tandem the team had even seen to date. He started 5 years in Seattle and went on to play another 6 seasons with San Diego and Detroit. He was the kind of guy you'd never hear from all game, which for a CB is how it's supposed to be. He was easily the best #29 in team history...

Until now.

Of the current group of stars on this Seattle roster, Earl Thomas is the first (in my opinion) to enter the discussion of top 5 or top 10 all-time Seahawks. Others will soon follow, but Earl body of work already put him in the top 10 Seahawk careers of all-time and soon he'll be in the top 5. Russell Wilson and Richard Sherman aren't far behind.

 

[McGruff]

Let just ask one thing about Etric Pruitt. When Marquand Manuel went down in Super Bowl XL, why did Pruitt go in and not Jordan Babineaux?

IIRC Babs was still playing a lot of nickle CB at that time, wasn't he?

 

[McGruff]

Lovely picture of Earl. That little dude just brings so much joy and fire to the field.

 

[Hawkstorian]

#28

First	Last	College	Pos	Years	Games	Starts
Lyle	Blackwood	Texas Christian	S	1976	11	0
Curt	Warner	Penn State	WR	1983-1989	97	96
Del	Speer	Florida	S	1994	1	0
Dou	Innocent	Mississippi	RB	1996	4	0
Kerry	Joseph	McNeese State	S	1998-2001	57	14
Harold	Blackmon	Northwestern	S	2001-2002	9	0
Michael	Boulware	Florida State	S	2004-2006	54	34
Travis	Fisher	Central Florida	CB	2009	4	0
Walter	Thurmond	Oregon	CB	2010-2013	38	9

Lyle Blackwood is probably one the Seahawks shouldn't have given up on so quickly. He was a backup safety and punt returner in 1976, then cut by Seattle early in camp in 1977. He then signed with Baltimore where he promptly went on to LEAD THE NFL IN INTERCEPTION. He ended up in Miami later in his career, and was on the field for the Miami/Seattle playoff matchups in '83 and '84. One of the best post-Seahawk careers on this list, and we just cut him.

In 2011 Marcus Trufant was the starter at CB and was hurt, opening the door for Walter Thurmond who started 2 games before he got hurt, opening the door for Richard Sherman, the third string CB. If Thurmond hadn't gone down, I wonder how long it would have taken for Sherman to start?

Our MVP is , of course, the great Curt Warner. You had to live those years to appreciate what it meant to have a stud tailback. Back then people actually drafted running backs in the first round! I know! Strange, huh? After 7 seasons of just not having a consistently good RB, Warner took Seattle by storm, and the team was suddenly good again. You also had to live those years to know the widepsread despair when he Kingdome turf destroyed his sophomore year. Warner came back, of course, but he was never quite what we saw his rookie year. Still, he was tough and charasmatic and he sold my dad a Buick. What more could you ask from an all-time Seahawk!

 

[IndyHawk]

Warner was great and might have been even better if his knee hadn't gone out..No complaints this guy is one of the greatest Hawks..I thought he was from Penn State However..

 

[Hawkstorian]

I thought he was from Penn State

Fixed.

 

[hawksfansinceday1]

Might have won the the Owl in '84 if he didn't get hurt. Great, great RB.

 

[Seahawk772002]

hawksfansinceday1 said

Might have won the the Owl in '84 if he didn't get hurt. Great, great RB.

Also thought of Paul Johns getting hurt that year

1984 was special, were not quite ready, losing AFC West late in the year HFA to Denver showed how they were not quite there.

2005 had two variables:

1. Holmgren not paying enough attention D
2. Fix was in for Jerome Bettis to win one at home for the Stealers

2013 YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Either way great post on Warner; glad to see hims all time #28.