Good afternoon, 12s. Here's a look at what's going on out there and any news you might have missed, about your Seattle Seahawks this week.
Each year the Seattle Sports Commission recognizes the Paul G. Allen Humanitarian Award at their annual Sports Star of the Year award show. This year Seahawks Legend Marshawn Lynch has been selected as the recipient of the award. The award is given to "someone who has made an impact on the greater Seattle community through their philanthropic contributions or dedication to community."
The Seattle Sports Commission wrote, "Marshawn Lynch will forever be remembered for the play that shook a city -- Beast Quake. But there is a lot more to the five-time Pro Bowler and former Seahawk running back. He's a non-stop giver to people in need, especially youth growing up with limited resources like he did. He co-founded Fam 1st Family Foundation, initially to help kids in his hometown of Oakland. Its impact has spread to Seattle and beyond. His summer football camps serve thousands. He has partnered with United Way of King County to give mobile phones to the homeless. He has helped build houses in Haiti. And he joined the Kraken ownership group to support its humanitarian and youth-focused initiatives."
Seahawks senior reporter John Boyle gave out his 2024 season honors to recognize players, moments and plays from the season. The honors lists out awards like most improved player, best newcomer and MVP's for both offense, defense and special teams.
Important disclaimer: These are very unofficial honors selected by a writer who might not really know what he's talking about, so please take all of this with a grain of salt.
Most Improved Player: OLB Derick Hall
There are a few good choices for this one, including Coby Bryant, who started the year as a backup safety and special teams player, then took over a starting job and finished the year with 73 tackles, six passes defensed and three interceptions, which were tied for the most on the team, including a 69-yard pick-six in a win over the Cardinals.
A good case could also be made for Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who, as mentioned earlier, finished with 100 catches for 1,130 yards and six touchdowns. But Smith-Njigba's breakout felt more like it was the result of better health and of him getting more opportunities more than anything else. The 2023 first-round pick impressed last year as well when healthy, but he battled multiple injuries and just didn't get the volume of targets that he saw this year.
So as impressive as Smith-Njigba's second season was, the pick here is outside linebacker Derick Hall. Hall, a second-round pick in last year's draft, had a relatively quiet rookie season, starting zero games and playing only 26 percent of Seattle's defensive snaps while recording no sacks, three tackles for loss and five quarterback hits. A strong training camp helped Hall earn a bigger role this season, and he took advantage in a big way, starting 14 games, increasing his playing time to 60 percent of the defensive snaps on his way to 8.0 sacks, the second most on the team, 20 quarterback hits, six tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery that he returned 36 yards for a touchdown.
ESPN, Ben Solak's All-Rookie Team
First-Team Interior Defensive Lineman, Byron Murphy II
2024 stats: 36 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 2 tackles for loss
Although Murphy's stats don't jump of the page, and at the end of the season head coach Mike Macdonald said, "Production-wise, I know the sacks aren't there and the pass rush reps, but like every time this guy's taken a three-technique pass rush rep, that means Leonard Williams isn't on the field. And right now, I think Leonard (Williams) is probably the best interior d-lineman in the game. So, it's like what do you want to do? We have to be more creative to get him on the field, but he'll earn those opportunities and the production will be there in the long run. I'm convinced of that. This guy's a really good player."
Solak said, "I thought Murphy was especially impressive against the run, and with his existing polish as a quick winner in the passing game, it's not hard to see the picture of a quality three-down player."
"Many lists would have Fiske over Murphy for general impact, as Fiske is a splashy player who had seven TFLs and six sacks. But I saw teams go after Fiske in the running game with plenty of success. Murphy battled hamstring and back injuries this season, but when he was healthy, he was tearing up opposing offensive lines. Compare their respective win rates, too. Fiske posted a 9.5% in pass rush and 35.2% against the run; 8.1% pass and 32.4% run for Murphy. The difference between them isn't nearly what the box score stats would imply."
ESPN Fantasy Football Player of the Year
Social Post Of The Week
More From Around The Web
Bob Condotta of The Seattle Times: Seahawks position overview: Will team remake its tight ends room again?
Mike Lefko of Seattle Sports: Lefko: The path for Seahawks to win a Super Bowl within 3 seasons.
Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic: Seahawks offseason to-do list: Six steps to help Seattle get closer to contention.
Corbin K. Smith of Sports Illustrated: Seahawks Grade Card: How Did Julian Love, Safeties Perform?
Corbin K. Smith of Sports Illustrated: How Coordinator Candidates Could Impact Seahawks' Personnel Decisions.
John Boyle of Seahawks.com: 12 Numbers Of Note From Seahawks' 2024 Season.
Ari Horton of Seahawks.com: Coby Bryant 'Stay Down, Stayed Humble And Stayed Hungry' In Successful Year 3.
An active-duty service member celebrated their promotion ceremony at Lumen Field on the Fan Deck with their family and teammates on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
An active-duty service member celebrated their promotion ceremony at Lumen Field on the Fan Deck with their family and teammates on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
An active-duty service member celebrated their promotion ceremony at Lumen Field on the Fan Deck with their family and teammates on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
An active-duty service member celebrated their promotion ceremony at Lumen Field on the Fan Deck with their family and teammates on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
An active-duty service member celebrated their promotion ceremony at Lumen Field on the Fan Deck with their family and teammates on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
An active-duty service member celebrated their promotion ceremony at Lumen Field on the Fan Deck with their family and teammates on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
An active-duty service member celebrated their promotion ceremony at Lumen Field on the Fan Deck with their family and teammates on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
An active-duty service member celebrated their promotion ceremony at Lumen Field on the Fan Deck with their family and teammates on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
An active-duty service member celebrated their promotion ceremony at Lumen Field on the Fan Deck with their family and teammates on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
An active-duty service member celebrated their promotion ceremony at Lumen Field on the Fan Deck with their family and teammates on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
An active-duty service member celebrated their promotion ceremony at Lumen Field on the Fan Deck with their family and teammates on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
An active-duty service member celebrated their promotion ceremony at Lumen Field on the Fan Deck with their family and teammates on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
An active-duty service member celebrated their promotion ceremony at Lumen Field on the Fan Deck with their family and teammates on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
An active-duty service member celebrated their promotion ceremony at Lumen Field on the Fan Deck with their family and teammates on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
An active-duty service member celebrated their promotion ceremony at Lumen Field on the Fan Deck with their family and teammates on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
An active-duty service member celebrated their promotion ceremony at Lumen Field on the Fan Deck with their family and teammates on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
An active-duty service member celebrated their promotion ceremony at Lumen Field on the Fan Deck with their family and teammates on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
An active-duty service member celebrated their promotion ceremony at Lumen Field on the Fan Deck with their family and teammates on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
An active-duty service member celebrated their promotion ceremony at Lumen Field on the Fan Deck with their family and teammates on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
An active-duty service member celebrated their promotion ceremony at Lumen Field on the Fan Deck with their family and teammates on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
An active-duty service member celebrated their promotion ceremony at Lumen Field on the Fan Deck with their family and teammates on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
An active-duty service member celebrated their promotion ceremony at Lumen Field on the Fan Deck with their family and teammates on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
An active-duty service member celebrated their promotion ceremony at Lumen Field on the Fan Deck with their family and teammates on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
An active-duty service member celebrated their promotion ceremony at Lumen Field on the Fan Deck with their family and teammates on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
