Seahawks: Getting to Know the Legion of Boom
By Colin Floyd
Dec 22, 2013; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) and free safety Earl Thomas (29) celebrate after Sherman intercepted the ball thrown by Arizona Cardinals quarterback Carson Palmer (not pictured) during the game at CenturyLink Field. Arizona defeated Seattle 17-10. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-USA TODAY Sports
For the next two weeks, analysts, writers and radio talk show hosts will be dissecting every minute storyline leading up to Super Bowl XLVIII. And one of the more prominent stories is that of Peyton Manning’s passing offense matching up against the Legion of Boom. So I thought it appropriate to provide a detailed look at the Seahawk’s formidable secondary and give an in-depth view of it’s players and their upcoming meeting.
Kam Chancellor
#31 Strong Safety
Height- 6-3
Weight-232
Age-25
Born- 04/03/1988 in Norfolk, VA
College- Virginia Tech
Experience- 4th season
HS- Maury
Achievements
- 2x Pro Bowl selection (2011, 2013)
- 2nd Team All-Pro (2013)
- Second Team All-ACC (2009)
2013 Stats
Tackles-99
Forced Fumbles-1
Interceptions-3
Kam Chancellor vs. Knowshon Moreno and Montee Ball
Because of Kam’s size, he often lines up in the box to help defend the run. Denver possesses a nice combination of backs and it looks to be Chancellor’s job to contain them both in runs up the middle and HB passes. This shouldn’t scare Seattle fans due to the way the secondary shut down Darren Sproles and Frank Gore.
Earl Thomas
#29 Free Safety
Height- 5-10
Weight-202
Age-24
Born- 05/07/1989 in Orange, TX
College- Texas
Experience- 4th season
HS- West Orange-Stark
Achievements
- 3x Pro Bowl selection (2011, 2012, 2013)
- 3x All-Pro (2011, 2012, 2013)
- First Team All-Big 12 (2009)
- NCAA All-American (2009)
- 2x NFL Top 100 Ranking (66th in 2011 & 2012)
2013 Stats
Tackles-105
Forced Fumbles-2
Interceptions-5
Earl Thomas vs. Wes Welker and Julius Thomas
With help from Chancellor and Walter Thurmond, Earl Thomas will be roaming the middle of the field picking up any open receivers, namely, Wes Welker and Julius Thomas. Welker is no stranger to the LOB’s big hits (look up the last time the Hawks played the Patriots), and will be up to his sneaky ways. Earl will have to keep an eye on Julius Thomas, with 12 touchdowns and 788 receiving yards in the regular season, he could be a red zone threat to watch for.
Richard Sherman
#25 Cornerback
Height- 6-3
Weight-195
Age-25
Born- 03/30/1988 in Compton, CA
College-Stanford
Experience- 3rd season
HS- Dominguez
Achievements
- Pro Bowl Selection (2013)
- 2x First Team All-Pro (2012, 2013)
- PFWA All-Rookie Team (2011)
- NFL Interceptions Leader (2013)
- NFL Top 100 Ranking (50th in 2012)
- 3x NFC Defensive Player of the Week
- NFL Defensive Player of the Month (Sept 2013)
2013 Stats
Tackles-48
Forced Fumbles-0
Interceptions-8
Richard Sherman vs. Demaryius Thomas
The top CB on the No. 1 defense looks to go against the top WR on the No. 1 offense. This matchup looks to be one of the more evaluated clashes of the Super Bowl. While Thomas has not faced many top CBs this season, Sherman is no stranger to taking the star player completely out of the game. According to Pro Football Focus, while facing Calvin Johnson, Brandon Marshall, Larry Fitzgerald, Victor Cruz, Michael Crabtree, and Roddy White, Sherman has allowed two total touchdowns. If #25 can take out Peyton Manning’s most targeted receiver that could both energize the rest of the LOB and force him into much tighter situations.
Byron Maxwell
#41 Cornerback
Height- 6-1
Weight-207
Age-25
Born- 2/23/1988 in North Charleston, SC
College- Clemson
Experience- 3rd season
HS- Fort Dorchester HS
2013 Stats
Tackles-28
Forced Fumbles-1
Interceptions-4
Byron Maxwell vs. Eric Decker
On the other side of the field, Denver’s second receiver will match up with the LOB’s newest member. Although Decker has a slight height advantage, Maxwell uses his sheer physicality to his advantage which could altogether make Decker ineffective in the big game.