Put them in Canton!
With the recent election of Cortez Kennedy (greatest ‘Hawks name ever) to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the long neglected Seattle franchise earned some long awaited recognition for the quality of players who have served with the Seahawks franchise.
Kennedy, as part of the class of 2012, follows previous Seahawks inductees RB Franco Harris (1990), WR Steve Largent (1995), DE Carl Eller (2004), QB Warren Moon (2006), DT John Randle (2010), and WR Jerry Rice (2010).
However, Kennedy’s induction was special because only he and Largent were true Seahawks, spending their entire careers with the team.
While the other names played only a season or two with Seattle while they were on the downside of their careers.
The Seahawks have not exactly been blessed with a plethora of talent over the years, but there are a few candidates for consideration in the Hall.
Here we present the most likely prospects from mortal lock to fringe potential.
Walter Jones
He is as sure a thing for the Hall of Fame as there has been in Seahawks history. The 6th overall selection in the 1997 NFL draft has 9 Pro Bowl appearances, but more importantly 7 All-Pro selections between 2001 and 2008, only missing out in 2003.
7 All-Pro selections between 2001 and 2008
He was a technically superb left tackle, pass protecting the QB’s blind side, who also enabled Shaun Alexander to experience his record setting year.
In 2004, John Madden called him not just the league’s best offensive lineman, but the best player in the NFL period.
Steve Hutchinson
Hutch is yet another top class offensive lineman who spent his first five years in the league with Seattle at left guard, before moving on to Minnesota. (Thanks to Tim Ruskell and the transition tag)
He has also been an All-Pro 7 times, 3 of those with the ‘Hawks, and made the NFL’s 2000s All-Decade team alongside ex-teammate Jones.
He was sorely missed after the Vikings moved aggressively to extract him from the North West. Hutchinson is a near lock for the Hall.
Mike Holmgren
He is certainly the best coach in team history, putting them on a period of sustained playoff success that had greatly eluded previous team leaders.
He managed four divisional titles with Seattle, one in the AFC and four in the NFC, along with the team’s first Super Bowl berth where they lost a somewhat controversial decision to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Holmgren also earned two more championship appearances with Green Bay and won the 1996 Super Bowl.
He is certainly the best coach in team history
He was a great man manager, who turned players such as Matt Hasselbeck and Shaun Alexander into All-Pros.
Shaun Alexander
Though his career was relatively short at eight seasons, he managed to put up some impressive credentials. Shaun was the NFC rushing champ in 2004 and 2005 (when he also claimed the NFL overall rushing crown).
That stellar 2005 season also saw him garner the NFL MVP award and the Offensive Player of the Year title.
Alexander gained 9,453 yards for his career, also plunging over the line for an even 100 touchdowns.
He made the second squad for the NFL’s 2000s All-Decade team, and is a very good bet for enshrinement in Canton.
Kenny Easley
Kenny has been much underrated throughout his career as a safety in the secondary. Although his numbers don’t immediately jump out at you, he is a decent bet for a veteran’s qualification for the Hall through the Senior’s Committee.
He played on some poor ‘Hawks teams but managed to make the ‘80s All-Decade team, and was a first team All-Pro four straight years from 1982-85, as well as receiving second team recognition once.
Agree or disagree? Let’s hear your opinions!