The Seahawks are keeping one of their top special teams players from 2016, having re-signed cornerback Neiko Thorpe Tuesday.
Thorpe first signed with the Seahawks last September, and quickly established himself as a key special teams player. Thorpe led the team with nine special teams tackles, particularly standing out as a gunner on punt coverage.
Thorpe also saw playing time on defense, serving as Seattle's third cornerback when starter DeShawn Shead missed a game with a hamstring injury, and Seahawks coach Pete Carroll has said on multiple occasions that they like Thorpe's upside at that position in addition to what he brings on special teams.
"Neiko looked good at Oakland, technique-wise," Carroll said during the season. "He had been coached—not quite the same as us—but well enough that we could see that he was a press corner. He could do it. He had good size and all that. He's strong, he's comfortable with it. It's not too big for him to be up on the line of scrimmage, challenging good players and fast guys, big guys, doesn't matter. Very versatile and a really good all-round football player, which has been demonstrated by his special teams work. He's been a fantastic special teams contributor for us. That is kind of the way Shead came along too. It shows you that savvy and instincts and stuff. Good tackler too, so he fits in with our guys. (Richard) Sherman and Shead have always been good tacklers and fit guys on the edge. Neiko is like that too and he demonstrated that right off the bat."
Re-signing Thorpe doesn't just allow the Seahawks to keep a top special teams contributor, it also gives them depth at a position facing some uncertainty heading into 2017. With Shead, who is currently a free agent, recovering from a serious knee injury sustained in Seattle's playoff loss, the Seahawks need depth at cornerback to compete for the starting job at right cornerback if Shead isn't an option when the season begins.
"We have to think like we have to pull from the ranks of the guys and see how they do," Carroll said at the end of the season following Shead's injury. "I thought DeAndre Elliott did a nice job in the bits that he played, Neiko [Thorpe] did some nice stuff for us, too, there were a couple other guys there on the roster that have looked good and looked competitive. We're going to have to do a really nice job of coaching in the case that DeShawn doesn't make it back able to go… If he's not available we're going to really miss him, but we have to go for it with the other guys."
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The best photos from team photographer Rod Mar's behind-the-scenes 'Eye on the Hawks' photo blog from the Seattle Seahawks' 2016 NFL season.
At 12:15, the defensive backs, led by Kam Chancellor and Richard Sherman, left the locker room an headed to the field, passing a large 12 flag signed by fans.
The Seahawks players and coaches linked arms in a pregame display of unity during the playing of the national anthem. From left are defensive coordinator Kris Richard, cornerback Richard Sherman, head coach Pete Carroll and defensive backs coach Andre Curtis.
Now in uniform, quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Trevone Boykin prepare to take the field for pregame warmups.
Quarterback Russell Wilson surveys the field looking for an open receiver.
Head coach Pete Carroll walks on the grass of the Coliseum, site of many of his memorable victories as coach of the U.S.C. Trojans. In the background (from left) are assistant line coach Pat Ruel, receivers coach Dave Canales, special teams assistant Chad Morton and assistant strength coach Jamie Yanchar. All were with Carroll at U.S.C. as coaches, except for Morton who played for Carroll from 1996-1999.
It's less than ten minutes from kickoff and the Seahawks fill the hallway of the locker room, ready to take on the Rams.
Quarterback Russell Wilson emerges from smoke and fog as he prepares to be introduced during pregame.
Wide receiver Tyler Lockett stops to sign a young fan's jersey after walk-thru on Saturday.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll smiles after a Christine Michael touchdown in the fourth quarter extended Seattle's lead to 24-10.
Frank Clark sweats during a pregame workout as he and trainers assessed his fitness to play after suffering a hamstring injury earlier in the week.
Quarterback Russell Wilson throws a pass during the offensive unit's brief walk thru in a hotel ballroom.
Offensive tackle Garry Gilliam methodically tapes his fingers before taking the field.
An hour before kickoff, the Seahawks defensive backs including DeAndre Elliott, Jeremy Lane and Kam Chancellor and receivers coach Dave Canales prepared to take the field for pregame warmups.
After the game, quarterbacks Russell Wilson and Carson Went greeted each other at midfield.
Once on the plane for the trip to Seattle, linemen Mark Glowinski and Germain Ifedi were already reviewing game video with line coach Tom Cable.
Seahawks including Kelcie McCray (left), Russell Wilson and others salute receiver Tyler Lockett who finished off his 75-yard touchdown with a basketball celebration in the end zone.
Just before 10am, safety Earl Thomas arrives for work in a pink overcoat as the Seahawks honored Breast Cancer Awareness month during the game by wearing pink accessories with their uniforms.
Seahawks head coach speaks with Atlanta head coach and former Seahawks defensive coordinator Dan Quinn after the hard-fought contest.
Kevin Pierre-Louis sports a holiday sweater featuring the "Crying Jordan" meme as he heads to the bus for the trip to Green Bay in Week 14.
Seahawks players cast long shadows in the late October sun as they walk to the airplane for the flight back to Seattle.
Head coach Pete Carroll address the team in the quiet locker room after the game.
Bobby Wagner gets ready to run out of the tunnel during introductions.
Michael Bennett leads a cheer as the team celebrates in the locker room after the game.
The defensive backs get pumped in their pregame circle.
A member of the military helps hold the American flag aloft during the playing of the national anthem prior to kickoff.
Seattle receiver Tyler Lockett signals to the crowd as he is helped to a cart to be taken off the field after injuring his leg in the second quarter.
Receiver Doug Baldwin kneels and prays in the end zone after his touchdown in the fourth quarter.
Waiting at midfield was a table with memorabilia from their relationship and a marriage proposal from Brock. She said yes, as friends and family watched from afar.
As light snow falls, Jeron Johnson uses his camera phone to record himself, Kam Chancellor and Mike Morgan as they prepare to board the Delta charter.
The weather was much milder upon landing in San Jose as Michael Bennett descends the stairs from the aircraft.
Back in the locker room Jarran Reed gets ready in the final moments before the team left the locker room for kickoff.
Defensive end Frank Clark corrals the loose ball.
At game's end head coaches Chip Kelly and Pete Carroll met at midfield.
Free safety Earl Thomas returned to CenturyLink Field for the first time since injuring his leg, and he joined his Legion of Boom teammates outside the locker room for their pregame huddle.
Cornerback DeShawn Shead walks through fog and lasers as he waits for his name to be called during pregame introductions.
Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman offers a wave and a smile to the media during his postgame press conference.
Between quarters, former Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch was spotted talking to teammates on the sidelines including Michael Bennett.
Safety Kam Chancellor fires up the team as they circle around him moments before taking the field for kickoff.
Michael Bennett lets out a yell with teammates at the end of their postgame gathering in the locker room after the win.
Seahawks players board the Delta charter on a sunny autumn Friday for the cross-country trip to New Jersey for the game against the New York Jets.
