Pro Bowling
2012 has been a memorable season for the Seattle Seahawks. An 8-5 record with three games remaining with big wins against Dallas, Green Bay, New England, and Chicago has Hawk fans thinking playoffs. Now the question that remains is not how we will remember the regular season but rather what Seahawks will make us remember the regular season?
Specifically, what Seahawks will be heading to the Pro Bowl this January?
This season,it is only appropriate to start talking about the Seahawks’ success with the defense, so let’s begin there.
Defensive Stars
Earl Thomas is a shoe-in for the Pro Bowl and likely for all-pro honors. Last season every member of the secondary was a pro-bowler with the exception of Richard Sherman. This season, Sherman has become the league’s premier shutdown corner, drawing the assignment of the opposition’s top receiver week-in and week-out.
Likely the only thing that will stand in the way of Sherman and Brandon Browner is the negative press caused by the PED suspensions. If either are left off the teams, you can bet that will be the reason.
Richard Sherman and Brandon Browner have been quite the duo in the secondary.
Thomas’ numbers are down from last year but a lot of what Thomas does will not be seen on a stat sheet and is only evident from watching him on a weekly basis. His partner, Kam Chancellor, also has a very good chance of making another trip to the Pro Bowl.
He has built a reputation for some of the most thunderous hits around the NFL.
Chancellor is also on pace to set career highs in several defensive categories.
We will see at least two members of the secondary at the pro bowl and as many as all four. However, don’t be surprised if that’s all we see on the defensive side of the ball.
Seattle has a strong set of young linebackers who I believe have some Pro Bowls in their future, but I don’t think this will be the year. Same story with the defensive line. But if one or multiple of these players do get in they will be fully deserving.
Offensive Stars
As far as the pro bowlers on the offensive side of the ball, look to the running backs once again to represent the Seahawks in January.
Marshawn Lynch will be there as he trails only Adrian Peterson in total rushing yards and is already having a career season. Michael Robinson has a very good chance of being there as well, being Lynch’s lead blocker while also having some success as a receiver out of the backfield.
The popular vote in the Seattle area will be for Russell Wilson to make it onto the Pro Bowl roster, but don’t hold your breath.
He has been one of the most exciting players to watch in recent history for the Seahawks but it would be a long shot for him to get on this roster with players like Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Eli Manning and not to mention RGIII out there.
The only other player I can see getting on the NFC roster is Jon Ryan as the punter as well as a possibility of Leon Washington at the kick return spot, which is also a long shot with some younger return men in the league today.
When the results come out at the end of the season I would expect any where from 4- 8 Seahawk representatives. Anything less would be an insult to how the Seahawks have performed this year and, with so many rising stars on this roster, I look forward to being well represented for years to come.
There are two more things I hope for when it comes to this Pro Bowl. The first is that I would love if the game itself didn’t make me fall asleep like it has in the last few years; and the other is that I hope the Seahawks are en route to New Orleans for the Super Bowl instead of preparing for the Pro Bowl.
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