A recap of the activities at Virginia Mason Athletic Center for Jan. 5, when the Seahawks returned from their playoff bye weekend to begin prepare for Saturday night's divisional round game against the Carolina Panthers at CenturyLink Field:

FOCUS ON: FINISHING, AND STARTING, STRONG

When Bobby Wagner was sidelined for five weeks at midseason because of a torn ligament in his foot, the Seahawks' middle linebacker figured he was not going to realize some personal goals for his third NFL season.

"I'd be lying if I said there wasn't a point where I thought the Pro Bowl and All-Pro recognition wasn't going to happen this season," Wagner said Monday. "But at the same time, I got my thoughts together and said, 'OK, if I'm still going to make this possible I have to come back and I have to make some noise. A lot of noise. And it has to be very loud.'

"And I think I did that."

So did those who vote on the Pro Bowl (players, coaches and fans) and All-Pro (a media panel). Because last week, it was announced that Wagner had earned a Pro Bowl berth (on Tuesday), been selected NFC Defensive Player of the Month for December (on Wednesday) and also been named All-Pro (on Friday).

One of coach Pete Carroll's mantras is, "It's not how you start, it's how you finish." But this season, it was a case of both for Wagner. He had 50 tackles in the first five games and 54 in the final six, when his return coincided with the Seahawks' six-game winning streak.

"I thought it was nice that I kind of closed the year off with a bang and then started the year off with a bang," Wagner said.

Joining Wagner on the All-Pro first team were cornerback Richard Sherman and free safety Earl Thomas. They might be three-peat selections, but being named All-Pro never gets old.

"It's really cool," Sherman said. "It's an honor every time you get voted to that because it just shows people's respect and appreciation for your game. And it's another one of those things you couldn't get without your teammates playing at a high level and without your unit playing at a high level collectively."

But Sherman also thought there should have been a fourth member of the NFL's No. 1-ranked defense on the first team: Kam Chancellor, the strong safety on the second team for the second consecutive season. Chancellor got 14 votes, two behind Eric Weddle of the San Diego Chargers. Thomas led all safeties with 39 votes (of a possible 50).

"It should have been three (on the) first team," Sherman said. "You would hope that this year they would have figured it out, but unfortunately they did not. It's frustrating for Kam. Obviously it's still an honor, but he played well enough to get first team."  

Despite his week of overdue recognition, Wagner realizes the real goal still is out there – starting with Saturday night's game against the Panthers.

"I think at the end of the day, it's still about Super Bowls," Wagner said with a smile.

ROSTER MOVE: DEFENSIVE TACKLE LANDON COHEN SIGNED

The spot on the 53-man roster that has been open since defensive tackle Travian Robertson was released on Dec. 26 has been filled by Cohen.

The 6-foot-1, 290-pound Cohen entered the league in 2008 as a seventh-round draft choice by the Detroit Lions. After playing in 20 games, with four starts, for the Lions he was released during training camp in 2010. He then spent time with the Jacksonville Jaguars (2010), New England Patriots (2011), Dallas Cowboys (2013) and Chicago Bears (2013), and was out of the league during 2012 season. Cohen also was on the practice squad or offseason rosters of the Seahawks (for six days 2012), Arizona Cardinals (2012) and Buffalo Bills (2014). 

UP NEXT: "COMPETITION WEDNESDAY"

Because the divisional-round playoff game is on Saturday, the Seahawks have altered their weekly schedule. The players will hold their "Competition Wednesday" practice and meetings on Tuesday, with Wednesday being "Turnover Thursday" and Thursday being "No Repeat Friday."

Also Tuesday – the real Tuesday – Ring of Honor quarterback Jim Zorn will sign autographs from 6-7 p.m. at Southcenter as part of a Washington Lottery event where fans can win two tickets to Saturday's game by purchasing scratch tickets. There are 12 Game Day Playoff Prize packages available and they include the tickets, a parking pass and a $100 Visa gift card. The event runs from 4-7 p.m., but fans can begin lining up at 2 o'clock.