The best Seahawk of all time to add to the 2017 team

You think we have a lot of choices at running back now?

Right now the Seahawks coaching staff are looking at Eddie Lacy, Thomas Rawls, C.J. Prosise, Alex Collins, and yes, I’ll include Chris Carson because I like him. I happen to think any of the three leading candidates will be just fine. A committee running attack, even better. You know, it seems I read something about that possibility a while ago.

But as with the cornerback situation, if there isn’t a clear-cut leader for the job, it’s open to competition in our little scenario as well. Happily enough, we just happen to have a terrific article on the subject of the all-time best Seahawks running backs right here.

To cut to the chase, I agree with the author. It’s between Curt Warner, Shaun Alexander and Marshawn Lynch. All three were great. All three had at least four seasons over 1,000 yards rushing for Seattle (Alexander had five). The clincher for me is touchdowns. Lynch and Warner combined for 112. Alexander had 100. Alexander is the man here. I like any of our current big three, and as a group I like them even more. But Shaun Alexander was the man.

Let’s check out those defensive linemen

There are some great names in the Seahawks record books, players like Joe Nash, Jacob Green and Michael Sinclair. Sinclair had over 70 sacks, Green had over 90. And all Nash did was play in a club-record 218 games. He had 47.5 sacks too, not too shabby for a nose tackle. But come on; who am I kidding? Cortez Kennedy is the only possible choice here.

Kennedy made the Pro Bowl eight times, had 58 career sacks, and ate offensive linemen for between meal snacks. As for the 2017 Seahawks squad, I wouldn’t say they’re thin at defensive tackle, but between Cliff Avril and Michael Bennett, they’re definitely more than okay at defensive end. Kennedy is an obvious upgrade over almost any defensive tackle on any team.

The Seahawks are awesome at these positions, mostly

You know you’ve been waiting for this. I know you’ve been waiting for it too. That’s why it’s last. But before we get to the offensive line, I’ll run down a few positions I didn’t consider.

Linebacker: the Seahawks run nickel so much, the strongside backer is an option now. With the great Bobby Wagner and dangerous K.J. Wright behind the line, Seattle just doesn’t need another linebacker.

Tight End: Jimmy Graham is the best tight end in Seahawks history. That was easy.

Kicker: Okay, we could use Norm Johnson. But I’m not using a valuable resource like the wayback machine on a kicker. I’m not the Tampa Bay GM.

Punter: Close call between the late Rick Tuten and Jon Ryan. However, see above. Okay, on to the offensive line we go.

Time to study that offensive line

First, do we have a need at offensive line?  Whatever you do, don’t google “Seattle offensive line”. It will just make you sad or angry. Unless you read one of our articles. Then you’ll be okay. Alright, even from our perspective, we don’t have the best offensive line in the league. I think they’ll be much better than last year. But we’re talking about bringing back the best Seahawk ever for the role. So yes, we have a need.

Second, do we have the talent pool we need? Is there an offensive lineman in Seahawks history good enough to crack the 2017 lineup? Gee, maybe.

Let’s start with this great article on the all-time Seahawks offensive line. The Seahawks had Pro Bowl players like center Max Unger, tackle Russell Okung, and guard Steve Hutchinson. Yes, I’m well aware we traded both Okung and Unger away in the past two years. There’s a salary cap, and no team can keep all the talent they want forever.

It doesn’t matter though, because none of those guys would beat out the Seahawk I’d pick up with the wayback machine. The one player whose talent fills the biggest need for the 2017 Seahawks. You can thank me later, Russell Wilson.