Springfield Mudbones Update #2

Keep going over to Field Gulls to follow the Seahawks All-Time Fantasy Draft, but he're a quick summary of DKSB's latest picks (5-8):

Curt Warner

Yeah, my squad looks like an 80s nostalgia project, but I can't believe Warner has fallen into my lap. The backfield of Warner and John L. Williams produced one of the NFL's best rushing attacks from 1986-1988, and they'll be pounding the rock again in the Mudbones' punishing offense.
Warner burst onto the scene in 1983, helping Seattle reach the playoffs for the first time and scoring the game winning TD in the "Miracle at Miami." His 1449 yards earned him the first of three Pro Bowl selections, but he then suffered a career-altering injury in the 1984 season opener (Damn you, Kingdome astroturf!).

He was never really the same after he returned in 1985, but he had four more productive season after reinventing himself somewhat as more of a power back. He topped 1000 yards in 85, 86 and 88 (and ran for 985 yards in only 12 games in 1987), but the numbers alone miss the excitement he brought to town back in the 80s...

-A 60-yard scamper in his first NFL carry at Arrowhead
-His 207 yards against KC in the dome later in '83
-That winning TD in the '83 divisional playoff at the Orange Bowl
-192 yards and 3 TDs in the 1986 season-ending blowout of the Super
Bowl-bound Broncos
-130 yards in a 1988 MNF win at the dome over the LA Raiders (the first and only MNF game I ever attended in person)

Warner deserves to be mentioned with Dickerson, Riggins, Payton and Allen among the elite running backs of the mid-80s, and is 3rd on the team's all-time rushing leaderboard (one measly yard behind Chris Warren).

After dealing with the Mudbone running game, the opposition will be pissing blood for a week.

Julian Peterson

Finally the Mudbones reach into the 21st century to take one of the greatest linebackers in team history (a reputation established after a mere two seasons wearing the uniform). JP's performance in 2006 and 2007 is comparable to other great linebacking efforts in Seahawks legend: Rufus Porter in 1991 and Fredd Young in 1987. Statistically, even the great Chad Brown never matched Peterson's destructive power over the last two seasons.

A freakish hybrid of speed and power, Peterson is capable of absolutely destroying an opposing offense. I saw this first hand in a preseason game back in 2006... Weirdly wearing number 44 (which gave me Bosworth flashbacks), JP hit Jim Sorgi so hard the poor kid flew backwards a few feet. The ball popped in the air... Interception... Touchdown.

Peterson shows no signs of decline, and can be expected to climb ever higher up this list in coming years.

If the Mudbones can't have Lofa, #59 is the next best thing.

Jeff Bryant

The forgotten link in the "Die Hard" D-line trio with Green and Nash. Bryant never made it to the Pro Bowl, but only Green and Sinclair have more sacks in franchise history. He started 167 games in Seattle Blue & Green, behind only Largent, Green, Nash and Big Walt.

The zenith of his career was 1984, where he notched 14.5 sacks. From 1983-1985, he racked up 31 sacks. Not too shabby, huh? He also was versatile, moving to DT in 1990-91 and maintaining his effectiveness. He might be the best Seahawks player to never be named to a Pro Bowl, and he's a great building block for the Mudbone D-line.

Patrick Kerney

I know this is a very high pick for someone who has only been a Seahawk
for one season, but what a season! Kerney outperformed expectations in
2007, collecting a career high 14.5 sacks and justifying the huge free
agent contract Ruskell awarded him. He's already the ONLY defensive end in
Seahawks history to earn All-Pro honors, and with the upgraded talent
surrounding him he's got a great shot to deliver a similar performance in
2008.

Paired with Jeff Bryant, and backed up by Peterson, Easley and Robinson,
the Mudbones are well on the way to building a dominating defensive unit.