12th Man Rising
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Kam Chancellor’s unselfishness deserves a pay raise

By C.J. Tumbarello

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We’ve talked a lot about contracts regarding Russell Wilson, Bruce Irvin, and Michael Bennett. Hell, I’ll throw in Dez Bryant and Demaryius Thomas too. What do they all have in common? Well, they’ve all pretty much outplayed their current deals and looking to get a hefty raise.

Also they have made it clear that they should be paid and when I say clear, I mean using social media to make a statement so others can receive that information through it because that’s the world we live in now, right? We are living in a fantasy world filled with hopes of going viral. (Sorry, got a little off topic.)

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Those same players and players from the past also have in common of holding out to make a statement of trying to reach a new deal, but I would like to talk about someone who is out playing his current deal and isn’t complaining one bit. You guys know of him as, “The Enforcer,” “Bam Bam” in reference to his hard hits, the Seattle Seahawks strong safety, Kam Chancellor.

Kam Chancellor is part of Pete Carroll’s great finds. Chancellor was drafted by the Seahawks early in the 5th round with the 133rd overall pick in the 2010 NFL Draft. Chancellor did not start a game in his rookie season, though he got playing time in all 16 games. In 2011, he took over the starting role at strong safety becoming second in tackles and interceptions on the team. 2012 he had career high numbers in tackling and made it to his first Pro Bowl.

In 2013, Chancellor agreed to a four-year extension worth up to $28 million with the Seahawks, placing him under contract through 2017. From there, people would start to know who “The Enforcer” is. The Seahawks have been the NFL’s best defense for a couple of years now and for the second straight season, Kam Chancellor was perhaps the third-best player in the team’s vaunted secondary. Why do I say third? Well Richard Sherman and Earl Thomas. Both were first-team All-Pro selections the past two years.

However, Chancellor is as versatile as they come and his is all-around display game in and game out have generated comparisons with Troy Polamalu, Ronnie Lott and other great safeties. But Chancellor, who is going into his sixth season, is carving out his own reputation. He’s probably most known for his ferocity and referees are familiar as well. Chancellor was penalized 20 times during his first four seasons, including seven times for unnecessary roughness. In 2014, he was penalized only twice, with no unnecessary-roughness infractions. He gave Green Bay Packers running back Eddie Lacy a concussion in the 2014 season-opening game, that’s a grown man right there.

Feb 1, 2015; Glendale, AZ, USA; New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman (11) is tackled by Seattle Seahawks defensive back Kam Chancellor (31) in Super Bowl XLIX at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

From 2011 to 2013, Chancellor’s numbers compared favorably with Polamalu’s from 2004 to 2006, three of Polamalu’s most productive years. When talking about traditional statistics, Chancellor’s numbers look ordinary. He has had only two interceptions in 2014 (including the one against the Carolina Panthers in the 2014 Divisional Round of the Playoffs). But that may be because Chancellor has often been positioned close to the line, like a linebacker, rather than asked to guard wide receivers farther down the field. Why though? Well, once again, Sherman and Thomas.

Tackles, too, do not tell the full story either. Chancellor had 69 tackles and 20 assists during the 2014 regular season, which was not even in the top 10 among safeties, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. But tackles by safeties are as much a reflection of the defenders in front of them, and because the Seahawks have top-ranked linebackers like Bobby Wagner, Chancellor has fewer chances than other safeties.

However, according to FootballOutsiders.com, Chancellor ranked an impressive sixth among safeties ranked by total number of tackles, assists, tackles for losses, forced fumbles, sacks, interceptions and other plays.

8x First-Team All Pro Ronnie Lott had this to say about Kam Chancellor.

“Kam Chancellor right now is as good as any safety that’s played in the game of football,” Lott said. He also went on to say,“If Kam can do it for 10-plus years? And which it looks like he can, he will go down as a great, great football player. He clearly has shown up not only with his striking ability, not only his ability to dissect plays, and he’s playing a very instrumental role in being able to understand the pass and the running game.”

He also has a foundation called, “Kam Cares Foundation.” A non-profit organization established by Kam Chancellor. Kam Cares seeks to equip children from underserved communities in Hampton Roads and Seattle areas with educational, health, and wellness tools and resources to position students for greater academic success.

Kam Chancellor is heading into his sixth season, with the title 2x second-team All Pro, 3x Pro Bowler and Super Bowl Champion on his resume. He’s going to continue to improve. He’s going to continue to lead. He’s going to continue to have the passion for the game all while playing on a 4-year, $28 million contract and not complaining at all.

His unselfishness alone deserves a pay raise.

Next: Russell Wilson now expecting to play out rookie deal

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