July 10, 2008

Springfield Mudbones Update #1

Keep going over to Field Gulls to follow the Seahawks All-Time Fantasy Draft, but he're a quick summary of DKSB's first four picks:

Steve Largent

While his career records have been bested thanks to the evolution of the NFL into a pass-first league, compared against his peers #80 was a dominant force at wide receiver in the 1970s-80s.
Largent finishes in NFL top 10 (1976-1989):

Receptions: 10 times
Receiving Yards: 8 Times
Receiving TDs: 8 Times

Largent also was named to 7 Pro Bowls, and was the first career Seahawk in the Hall of Fame.

His combination of deceptive speed, quickness, sure hands and precise route-running would make him an explosive offensive weapon in any era, so he is the cornerstone the Mudbones will build around.

Kenny Easley

No other player has ever given more of himself in service of the Seattle Seahawks than Kenny Easley. #45 literally sacrificed his kidneys to the game of professional football after volunteering to return punts. That team-first move added to a mounting litany of injuries, which led to his disastrous dependency on ibuprofen as a pain-killer.

Until the ugly, sad end of his career (and an aftermath made exponentially worse by Ken Behring) Easley was the most intimidating and talented defender in Seahawks history. Whenever he patrolled the secondary, opposing receivers were bringing knives to a gunfight.

In Seahawks history, only Walter Jones has been named All-Pro more times than Easley. His 1984 season was so exceptional that he was named NFL Defensive Player of the Year, and I can't think of a better leader for the Mudbones' defenders.

John L. Williams

Williams had perhaps the most unique skill set in team history. Playing in the fullback position, J.L. was certainly a devastating blocker. However, he was even better with the ball in his hands. In Seahawks history, only Steve Largent and Shaun Alexander have racked up more yards from scrimmage than John L., and he is still the 3rd leading receiver and the 4th leading rusher in team history.

The stats are very impressive, and the memories JLW conjures up are still as vivid as they were 20 years ago. In Chicago near the end of the '87 season, JLW scored on a 75-yard "middle screen" to silence a crowd who had expected only a celebration of Walter Payton's career, not a Bears defeat. Without JLW's efforts that day, the Seahawks would have missed the playoffs.

A year later in LA, JLW scored on the SAME EXACT PLAY... A 75-yard middle screen for a touchdown that effectively sealed Seattle's first ever AFC West title.

Even when teams should have seen him coming, John L. Williams had a knack for making big plays, and he'll be a fine addition to the Mudbones' offense.

Eugene Robinson

Yeah, a few years after leaving Seattle Eugene got in a bit of trouble
with the law down in Miami before XXXIII (which also made this devout
Christian look a tad hypocritical), but with the Seahawks #41 was nothing
but class.

When I was 15, I actually met Robinson when he visited a church youth
group I was only going to so I could meet girls (yeah, I know.. I'm
hellbound). The dude talked football with us for hours, including dropping
this tidbit: The QB he hated facing the most? Not Elway, Marino or
Montana, but Jim Kelly. Even then, that surprised the hell out of me.

Robinson made it to two Pro Bowls wearing Blue & Green, and is the
Seahawks all-time leader in tackles and takeaways (interceptions + fumbles
recovered). Paired with Easley as he was in 1986, the Mudbones have the
beginnings of an elite secondary.

No comments: