https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16X09qJ5LeE

Good afternoon, 12s.

Here's a look at what's "out there" for today - Friday, May 22 - about your Seattle Seahawks:

#GingaNinja

Seahawks punter Jon Ryan is a contestant on the new season of 

Ryan said he's grown accustomed to "full body" workouts on the football field, but noted he's been training for the television competition with more "ninja-specific" activities. 

"People keep asking me if this is the same as football," Ryan said in a promotional video for the show. "In football I get pretty nervous - I've played in two Super Bowls, so I get nervous. But in football, I know what I'm doing. Out here, I don't know what I'm doing."

Ryan is up against a wide array of athletes for a chance to win $500,000, money that would go to Ryan's charity - the Bob Ryan Scholarship Fund and Charity, named after Ryan's late father. The charity raises funds for cancer research and college scholarships.

https://twitter.com/JonRyanCGC/status/601767290523099136 

If you're not familiar with *American Ninja Warrior, *the show puts athletes through an extreme obstacle course with winners advancing to more difficult rounds. Finalists eventually square off in Las Vegas, where they'll face a four-stage course modeled after the famed Mt. Midoriyama course in Japan. The grand prize is set at $1 million, but to date no competitor has ever conquered the final course.

To learn more, check out the show's YouTube channel.

Kris Richard Talks 2015

Seahawks defensive coordinator Kris Richard joined the team's flagship radio station 710 ESPN Seattle yesterday for a conversation with "Brock and Salk."

Richard discussed how he'll approach his new role as defensive coordinator, shared his take on the team's new-look coaching staff, detailed what he sees in newly-signed cornerback Cary Williams, and outlined what to expect from Tharold Simon moving forward.

The full audio is embedded for you in this article, but here's a few highlights from Richard:

(On how he plans to lead the Seahawks defense...) "The old adage, if it's not broke, don't fix it. It's one of those deals right there. My whole idea is just to maintain the standard and raise that bar, essentially is what it is. The sole focus is absolutely not to have any letdowns or anything of that nature because that's not who we are. We're going to remain true to who we are. The standard is set, and essentially, our sole focus is to raise the bar."

(On changes to Pete Carroll's coaching staff this offseason...) "It is kind of a refreshing thing when you get new coaches in because it challenges the ideology of your philosophy. You have to make it real again, just like we do each and every single year. But here it is, we have guys who have not been around us, except for [assistant linebackers coach] Lofa [Tatupu], but he understands completely. He was on the other side of the spectrum here. So here he is now on this side of the fence and it's just an eye-opening experience for him in general. And to coach with [linebackers coach] Michael Barrow, he's a guy who's been coaching in college for the past few years and then for him to be able to come up here to this level where he's had so much success as a player, and now to be able to coach under coach Pete Carroll's philosophy and just kind of that energy and that type of stuff that he's not used to. We've had conversations in the past where he's just kind of ecstatic, man, to be here and feel the energy and the way that we do things, and really, the overall aura is awesome."

(On what he's seen so far from cornerback Cary Williams...) "He's an intense, focused competitor. He's going to help this football team. Right now, he's a veteran. He's been successful in this League. We just expect him to come in here and fit right in, which he has. He has an awesome personality, too. When it's time to work, he locks in, he's intense, he wants to work, he wants to do our technique, and I really believe his best football is still ahead of him, too. And I believe he would say the same thing. He has a point to prove, which obviously we like on this defense - guys with chips on their shoulders and points to prove. He wasn't happy with where he was, he's happy with where he is now, and we're looking to push him on through the future."

(On what to expect from cornerback Tharold Simon...) "Obviously, when you're opposite of Richard [Sherman], you're going to see the football. There's no doubt about that. His development will continue. You're going to see this guy stand up. He's an awesome competitor. His legs are going to be stronger. He's going to be a year better, more experienced, and you can see him take off here coming up soon."

Tweet Of The Day

https://twitter.com/Bwagz54/status/601537863885266946

Today's 'Tweet of the Day' comes from Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner, who candidly lets NFL Network know which team he thinks should be dubbed 'America's Team.'

More From Around The Web

Here at Seahawks.com, we take a look back at the Seahawks to appear on David Letterman, the late-night host who retired this week after 33 years in television.

Seahawks wide receiver/return specialist Tyler Lockett makes SI.com's list of rookies who could stand out during the team's upcoming Organized Team Activities (OTAs).

Doug Farrar at SI.com leads his list of the NFL's best pass rushers from multiple gaps with Seattle defensive end Michael Bennett. 

Staffers at NFL.com defend their picks for the Top 10 quarterbacks in the League, a list Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson appeared on earlier this week.

D*id I miss anything you think is worthy of inclusion? Let me know on Twitter *

@TonyDrovetto*