The Hawkstorian's All-Time Numeric Roster

[Hawkstorian]

#42

First	Last	College	Pos	Years	Games	Starts
Don	Testerman	Clemson	FB	1976-1978	44	26
Keith	Simpson	Memphis State	CB	1978-1985	113	72
Chris	Warren	Ferrum	RB	1990-1997	123	89
Kris	Richard	Southern Cal	CB	2002-2004	39	1
Mike	Green	Northwest St.	S	2006-2007	17	1
T.J.	Duckett	Michigan State	RB	2008	16	0
Chris	Maragos	Wisconsin	S	2011-2013	48	0

Don Testerman was among the throng who came to the Seahawks on the eve on the 1976 season and played 3 years, splitting carries with Sherman Smith. He was among the more consistent players on those early offenses, but he was traded to Washington after the 1979 season.

Keith Simpson was a 1978 first round draft pick and part of the great secondary's that included Dave Brown, Ken Easley and John Harris. He was probably better suited to play safety, and his career suffered as a result, but he's still one of the really good defensive players from those '80s teams.

Kris Richard is probably the best former-Seahawk-turned-Seahawk-coach in team history. At some point I'll go back and list all the former players who also have coached, but has anyone done better than Richard?

The most recent #42 was the recently departed S Chris Maragos, who was a top special teamer, but rarely cracked the DB rotation.

Chris Warren had the best peak of a Seahawks runner up until Shaun Alexander. His 1,545 rushing yards in 1994 set the team season record and he finished his career with 1 more yard than Curt Warner. It is very difficult to put Warren or Warner ahead of each other in ranking their careers. Warner had more TDs and more receiving yards, while Warren had a lot of success as a kick and punt returner early in his career. There's a tendency to discredit Warren's career because of his running style, but I still think he should be considered among the all-time great Seahawks and certainly the best #42 in team history.

 

[Hawkstorian]

#41

First	Last	College	Pos	Years	Games	Starts
Eddie	McMillan	Florida State	CB	1976-1977	28	28
Will	Lewis	Millerville St.	CB	1980-1981	26	0
Eugene	Robinson	Colgate	S	1985-1995	172	154
Dustin	Johnson	Brigham Young	FB	1999	1	0
Byron	Maxwell	Clemson	CB	2011-2013	38	8

Eddie McMillan was one of the better choices in the expansion draft. He was a former starting CB with the Rams and came to Seattle and started every game the first two seasons. He intercepted 4 passes in 1977 and was a co-captain. He was cut in camp the following summer, so not sure what went south there. I can't find any injury history or other reason he'd lose his job during what should have been his peak years, but that's football.

Will Lewis played two years as a backup DB and punt returner, eventually came back and worked in the scouting department for many years before going off to Kansas City.

Concussions have been a big story in recent years, so let's not ever forget Dustin Johnson. He made the team as a backup FB in 1999, and got knocked out on the opening kickoff. He was motionless of the Kingdome turf for what seemed like forever and his career ended that day. I always wondered how his life turned out. It's important to remember that the guys who just get a brief taste of the NFL sometimes pay a price that lasts the rest of their lives.

Our current #41 is Byron Maxwell, who stepped in when Brandon Browner went down. One thing I love about this team is when backups step in the team actually seems to get better.

The all-time #41 in team history is the great Eugene Robinson, one of my all-time favorites. Back in the early '90s the Seahawks were pretty terrible, but the defenses always kept the games at least close. Robinson was the leader, and was voted MVP by his teammates in 1991 and 1993, which were also Cortez Kennedy's peak years. I remember watching those teams, and Robinson was always putting teammates in the right spot, like a coach on the field, and he sustained that greatness over many years.

For you younger fans, watch the way Earl Thomas makes the rest of the defense click. Eugene Robinson brought that to the team, Earl has just taken that to a different level.

 

[volsunghawk]

Concussions have been a big story in recent years, so let's not ever forget Dustin Johnson. He made the team as a backup FB in 1999, and got knocked out on the opening kickoff. He was motionless of the Kingdome turf for what seemed like forever and his career ended that day. I always wondered how his life turned out. It's important to remember that the guys who just get a brief taste of the NFL sometimes pay a price that lasts the rest of their lives.

I did a brief search and found this article from 2012 in the Salt Lake Tribune:

http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/sports/542 ... l.html.csp

The 6-foot-2, 230-pound running back already had undergone six surgeries for various injuries in college. He had another while in New York. Before the 1999 season, Johnson was signed by Seattle.

Playing special teams in a subsequent preseason game, he took a knee to the nose and was knocked unconscious. In another, he was cold-cocked a second time. Johnson told me in an interview after he was forced to retire that he was knocked out in three straight games, that doctors ran their tests, but never revealed the results.

In the regular-season opener that year against Detroit, Johnson played on, despite the fact that his head, as he said it, "felt like it was going to explode." He had told doctors about the pain and they performed CT scans, but allowed him to keep playing. Near the end of that opening game, covering on a kickoff, Johnson absorbed another brutal hit to the head, and was knocked unconscious, again.

When he walked in on a film session the next day at the Seahawks headquarters, teammates were repeatedly reviewing film of the vicious hit, letting out ooohs and aaahs, and yelling, "Rewind! Rewind!"

Johnson watched for a second, then vomited. He was immediately taken to a Seattle hospital, where more tests were performed. An MRI showed that Johnson had a cyst on his brain and that it had ruptured. His brain was hemorrhaging.

"It was like a balloon being filled with too much water," he said. "Sooner or later, it was going to pop."

Surgeons drilled six holes in his skull to relieve the pressure by draining out excess fluid. He was hospitalized for three weeks. Later, he underwent other surgeries to help relieve the swelling.

At the time I interviewed Johnson, he was receiving disability payments from the NFL, but struggling to hold down a job because of short-term memory loss. He suffered through bouts of forgetfulness, once slamming the back of his car into the front end of another car parked in his driveway, just minutes after he had admired the second car as he walked by. He once brushed his teeth with hand soap, put a box of cereal in the refrigerator, entirely forgot books he just read and movies he just saw, and struggled to follow directions.

"I get overwhelmed," he said. "My mind gets flustered. I get confused. I also get migraines where I can’t eat or sleep. Eighty percent of the time, I’m OK. But the other 20 percent, the pain in my head really zaps me."

That was nine years ago.

So as of 2003, it's clear that he was struggling with the side-effects of his football career. Seeing stories like that (and others like Earl Campbell) is a sobering reminder of what these guys go through and why I will never complain about a single penny they make.

 

[Hawkstorian]

#40

First	Last	College	Pos	Years	Games	Starts
Walter	Packer	Mississippi St.	CB	1977	10	0
John	Williams	Wisconsin	FB	1985	2	0
Oliver	Celestine	Texas Southern	S	2006	15	0
Louis	Rankin	Washington	RB	2009	7	0
Chris	Henry	Arizona	RB	2010	1	0
Philip	Adams	South Carolina St.	CB	2011	1	0
Eddie	Williams	Idaho	FB	2011	3	1
John	Howell	Colorado St.	S	2005-2006	11	0
Derrick	Coleman	UCLA	FB	2012-2013	15	3

Quite a list, eh? 2 guys in 30 years and 7 in 10 years.

Walter Packer was signed on the eve of the 1977 and was primarily a kick and punt returner but he was cut abruptly after 10 weeks, probably a result of 'fumblitis'.

Not much to say about the rest of the list. Philip Adams is back on the team, currently #28.

Derrick Coleman has done enough in his short time to surpass all #40s in team history. He leads in games, starts and has even scored a touchdown. He also played great special teams, especially in SBXLVIII. An easy choice for MVP.

 

[oldhawkfan]

40 has not been a great number in Seahawk history...including XL.

 

[Hawkstorian]

#39

First	Last	College	Pos	Years	Games	Starts
Bill	Olds	Nebraska	FB	1976	1	1
Brian	Allred	Sacramento State	CB	1993-1994	4	0
Jeramy	Lincoln	Tennessee	CB	1997	12	3
C.J.	Wallace	Washington	S	2007-2009	26	0
Kennard	Cox	Pittsburgh	CB	2010-2011	25	0
Brandon	Browner	Oregon State	CB	2011-2013	38	38

The starting backfield on opening day 1976 was rookie Andrew Bolton and expansion pick Bill Olds. Neither player would be on the roster 6 weeks later. Olds had 2 carries for 9 yards and was cut before week 3. Such was life on an expansion roster.

#39 was little used until recent years. Brandon Browner came out of the CFL and re-defined our idea of what a CB looks like. It's a shame he couldn't finish the year, but he definitely earned his Super Bowl ring.

 

[ChiefHawk]

No-brainer coming up next....

 

[oldhawkfan]

No brainier on the next two!

 

[Hawkstorian]

#38

First	Last	College	Pos	Years	Games	Starts
Ed	Bradley	Wake Forest	LB	1976	14	14
Cornell	Webster	Tulsa	S	1977-1980	52	33
Ray	Wilmer	Louisiana Tech	S	1984	3	0
Lou	Brock	Southern Cal	CB	1988	1	0
Mack	Strong	Georgia	FB	1993-2007	209	111

Ed Bradley started every game at MLB in 1976, but was traded in the off-season to San Francisco for DT Bill Sandifer. I show 55 players on the roster in 1976. Of those 30 were not around at all in 1977. However, 13 players were still there in 1979 and 6 were still there in 1982, 7 years later. By comparison, the current Seahawks have 1 player who's been around 7 years. Only 16 players on the roster in 2010 were also there in 2013. Draw your own conclusions.

Cornell Webster is an interesting story. He was an undrafted free agent in 1977 and the starting CB by 1978 and one of the best players on the team at that point. However, things got strange in 1980. He disappeared during training camp for few days, and then showed up again. After week 6 in 1980 he decided to retire, but 6 weeks later came back, played 2 games, and then was suspended for not showing up for medical appointments. Sounds like he was fighting knee problems.

Lou Brock is the son of the former Mariner's manager and baseball Hall of Famer.

I don't think we'll ever see a career like Mack Strong again. He started on the practice squad and started at fullback in 1996 only to lose the job in 1998. He was cut in 1999 but re-signed. Meanwhile, the list of fullbacks brought in to replace him his laughably large. After all that, he became the dominant blocker and leader after about 9 years on the team. His career best rushing came in 2003, his 10th year in the league. In 2006 he had 308 yards from scrimage, the 2nd highest in his 14 year career. He was a far better player at 35 than he was 25! He'd still be going if a neck injury hadn't stopped him at age 36.

In 14 seasons he managed a meager 909 career rushing yards, but his lead blocking for Shaun Alexander is what we remember best. A true class guy and fan favorite.

 

[ChiefHawk]

Mack Strong's career yardage should not be measured by his own yardage, but by that of Chris Warren, Ricky Watters, and Shaun Alexander.

 

[Hawkstorian]

#37

First	Last	College	Pos	Years	Games	Starts
Hugh	McKinnis	Arizona State	RB	1976	11	5
Eric	Lane	Brigham Young	RB	1981-1987	103	12
Nate	Odomes	Wisconsin	CB	1994-1995	0	0
Eric	Stokes	Nebraska	S	1997-1998	11	0
Shaun	Alexander	Alabama	RB	2000-2007	128	106

The turnover on the 1976 roster was pretty heavy, and no more than in the backfield. Hugh McKinnis lasted all the way through the 1976 season, even rushing for 4 TDs, but the former expansion draft pick didn'tsurvive final cuts in 1977.

Eric Lane was sort of like the Mack Strong of the '80s, doing everything to stick around -- mostly blocking and special teams. He was part of the crowd that filled the void in '84 when Curt Warner went down. He's one of the great 'unsung' Seahawks in history.

Ken Behring deserves all the malice he earned -- but he did at least make attempts to spend money in the early days of NFL free agency. In 1994 Nate Odomes was probably the top player at a position the Seahawks were sorely at need. Odomes will never show up in a Seahawk 'official' roster, but the Seahawks did step up and try to bring on a top-flight player. Unfortunately, knee injuries kept him from ever seeing the field.

Shaun Alexander was flat-out the best RB in team history. I have no patience for people who try to diminish his accomplishments by saying he had a great offensive line, or that he couldn't play hurt. The bottom line was he had a period of years where he lit up the stat-lines like no other runner we could ever imagine. Sometimes it's just hard to appreciate what we have until it's gone. Shaun ran like nobody else in team history and made most defenses look stupid. I'll always appreciate the player he was, and I hope you will also.

One of the great all-time Seahawks:

 

[Happy]

Yeah man, People underrate shaun. He had his moment in the sun when he was like a man among boys. His workload in 2005 shortened his career, I'm convinced of it. Curse of 370.

Good guy too.

Love shaun, great player with a gentle heart.

 

[oldhawkfan]

Shaun is one of my all time favorites.

 

[ChiefHawk]

Alexander was outstanding, he had an outstanding run especially from 2001-2005, for 5 years he had 300 carries (ok, 2002 was 295...) or more, and every one of those years was over 1600 yards and 16 TDs or more.

I'm not sure any other RB anywhere can argue with 1653 carries for 7504 yards with 87 TDs with 183 receptions for 1346 yards and 11 TDs added across five years. That is a dominant stretch, no matter who you are.

Average 330 carries, 1500 yards rushing, 17 TDs, 36 receptions, 269 receiving yards with 2 receiving TDs for five years.

The list of players who have ever done that for that long is incredibly small.

 

[Hawkstorian]

#36

First	Last	College	Pos	Years	Games	Starts
Ken	Geddes	Nebraska	LB	1976-1978	37	25
Larry	Brinson	Florida	RB	1980-1981	7	0
Reuben	Mayes	Washington State	RB	1992-1993	17	0
Lamar	Smith	Houston	RB	1994-1997	43	4
Bennie	Blades	Miami	S	1997	10	9
Terry	McDaniel	Tennessee	CB	1998	9	0
Merton	Hanks	Iowa	CB	1999	11	1
Alvin	Pearman	Virginia	RB	2007	3	0
Lawyer	Milloy	Washington	S	2009-2010	34	20
Danny	Gorrer	Texas A&M	CB	2012	0	0
Ron	Parker	Newberry	CB	2011-2012	4	0

Ken Geddes was one of the better expansion picks. He had started the previous 3 years for the Rams and started two years in Seattle before losing his starting job to Keith Butler in 1978.

Two guys could be picked as the MVP at #36. Lamar Smith was primarily a backup to Chris Warren, but averaged over 4.5 yards a carry. His average would have been higher but the end zone kept getting in his way.

Lawyer Milloy backed up Jordan Babineaux in 2009 and started all of 2010. He deserves some credit for mentoring a couple of young safeties named Earl Thomas and Kam Chancellor.

All respect to Milloy -- but Lamar deserves the MVP:

 

[Seahawkfan80]

Hawkstorian, is your listing on a spreadsheet? I would wonder if you could put that on a state or university attended by listing or such if you
understand what I am thinking. It would be interesting what the draft pics realm of influence came from. Of course that is what my cat said.
I have no control.

LOL

 

[Hawkstorian]

#35

First	Last	College	Pos	Years	Games	Starts
David	Sims	Georgia Tech	FB	1977-1999	29	12
Mark	Moore	Oklahoma St.	S	1987	6	0
Steve	Smith	Penn State	FB	1994-1995	25	7
Jay	Graham	Tennessee	RB	2001	11	0
Chris	Davis	Syracuse	FB	2003-2004	1	0
Etric	Pruitt	Southern Mississippi	S	2005	9	0
Gerard	Ross	Florida State	CB	2006	1	0
Owen	Schmitt	West Virginia	FB	2008-2009	30	2
DeShawn	Shead	Portland State	S	2012-2013	8	0

Offenses (and defenses for that matter) have change dramatically during the history of the Seahawks. Back in the '70s and into the '80s, two back offenses were still in vogue, often in a "split back" formation. In a split back offense, either back could take the handoff. The Seahawks staple running play for years was the "sprint draw", in which the quarterback would sprint out before handing off or engaging play action. With defenses so damn fast these days I don't think you could do it anymore, but when it worked it was pretty effective. In 1977 and 1978 the split backs were usually Sherman Smith and David Sims.

Sims was a 7th round pick in 1977 but became the starting fullback in 1978. He led the NFL in touchdowns that year, quite a feat for a low round draft pick on a third expansion team. He was one his way to holding the starting job for years to come, but he went down with a neck injury in week 2 of the 1979 season and his career was over. Two weeks after the injury, he suited up one last time, rushing 4 times, and even throwing an 18 yard pass to Brian Peets. In today's NFL, doctors would never have let him back on the field. When I think of great Seahawk careers cut short, Sims tops the list.

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?

There was a moment in Super Bowl XLVIII where Kam Chancellor limped off the field and DeShawn Shead came in for a few plays. I have to admit I was slightly petrified at that moment. Fortunately Kam came back in and all the demons from 8 years earlier were exorcised.

David Sims: (not the Mariners broadcaster)

 

[Zebulon Dak]

DeShawn went to Portland State. We have mutual friends though I've never met him. I'm rooting for him now though to take a more permanent place in the LOB, would love it if he became a reliable backup to KC and effective situational player. If he's got it in him. He's been immortalized telling Malcolm Smith "you're my favorite player!" coming off the field after the pick 6 in XLVIII. I was glad to see him get some playing time in the Bowl, though like you 'Storian I was definitely relieved to see Kam get back out there.

 

[Hawkstorian]

#34

First	Last	College	Pos	Years	Games	Starts
Rufus	Crawford	Virginia State	RB	1978	16	0
Tony	Green	Florida	RB	1979	11	0
Jim	Walsh	San Jose State	FB	1980	4	0
Terry	Miller	Oklahoma State	RB	1981	1	0
Franco	Harris	Penn State	RB	1984	8	6
Tony	Burse	Middle Tennessee St.	RB	1987	13	1
Kevin	Harmon	Iowa	RB	1988	10	0
Brian	Davis	Nebraska	CB	1990-1992	29	2
Dion	Lambert	UCLA	CB	1994-1995	1	1
Reggie	Brown	Fresno State	FB	1996-2000	62	11
Terreal	Bierria	Georgia	S	2002-2004	30	12
David	Kirtman	Southern Cal	FB	2006-2007	6	0
Roy	Lewis	Washington	CB	2009-2011	32	0

13 names and no one to really get excited about. Rufus Crawford was a punt and kick return in 1978. The Seahawks's 1979 media guide proudly declares that he was 8th in the AFC in punt returns and 9th in kickoff returns. So basically he was below average. He was cut the following summer.

A few years ago I saw something about Franco Harris doing an autograph signing event, but one of the stipulations was he would not sign anything Seahawks related. Yeah, thanks for taking our money and sucking and then trying to pretend it never happened, ASSHOLE.

Our most recent #34 was former Husky Roy Lewis, who had a nice role as nickle back and special teamer. He was kind of an earlier version of the bigger corner that we've had great success with.

So really, I have to pick an MVP from this list? Who's idea what that? Brian Davis is probably the best (maybe only) caucasian CB we've ever had, and the dude was lighting quick. Terreal Bierria has the most starts, but my memories of him have been repressed. Reggie Brown managed to score 1 TD in 61 career games as a Seahawk.

I'll pick Reggie Brown, but I'm hopeful this upcoming draft will produce a replacement.

 

[ChiefHawk]

is the Doctor next?