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Good morning, 12s. 

Here's a look at what's "out there" for today - Thursday, Jan. 15 - about your Seattle Seahawks:

Aaron Rodgers Reminisces On Time With Marshawn Lynch

Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who the Seahawks will face in Sunday's NFC Championship game at Seattle's CenturyLink Field, played one year at Cal with running back Marshawn Lynch.

On Wednesday, Rodgers reminisced about the time he spent with Seattle's "Beast Mode" back.

"He was a lot of fun to play with," Rodgers said. "He was a great player. I think he averaged nine yards a carry that freshman year. ... Marshawn is an extremely gifted athlete. He used to always challenge me in throwing competitions and I won't say I beat him every time because he's got a heck of an arm ... distance-wise, not accuracy."

Rodgers went on to reveal how the two former Golden Bears almost became teammates at the professional level, right around the time the Seahawks acquired Lynch for draft picks in a 2010 trade with the Buffalo Bills.

"I thought it was a possibility for sure," Rodgers recalled. "He was on the market for what didn't seem like a whole lot getting out of Buffalo. And I think they ended up taking that offer based on where the pick would lie in the draft 'cause of the records.

"So it'd be interesting to see the 'what ifs' if he came here, but [Green Bay Packers running back] Eddie [Lacy] is a very similar back as far as not being taken down with the first defender, running through arm tackles, his ability to catch the ball and make something happen as well. And both Marshawn and Eddie are great blockers in pass protection."

Jim Tomsula Named 49ers Head Coach

The NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers yesterday named existing defensive line coach Jim Tomsula the team's head coach, taking over the title from Jim Harbaugh, who is now the head man at the University of Michigan after mutually agreeing to part ways with club following the 2014 season.

"Our organization is excited to have Jim Tomsula leading this football team," said 49ers general manager Trent Baalke. "We have had the privilege of working alongside Jim for the past eight seasons.  He is a proven leader, teacher and mentor, and we look forward to seeing him apply his craft and vision to our team."

Tweet of the Day

Today's "Tweet of the Day" comes from Seattle Times staffer Ryan Divish, who shares a quote from defensive end Michael Bennett on those critical of Seattle's numbers in the sack department.

More From Around The Web

Here at Seahawks.com, Clare Farnsworth features Sunday's matchup between Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers and Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman and puts the focus on a familiar feeling facing the Seahawks ahead of Sunday's conference title game.

I share 10 takeaways from coach Pete Carroll's Wednesday meeting with the media that included good news on the status of center Max Unger and cornerback Byron Maxwell, share nine things we learned from Russell Wilson, Richard Sherman and Doug Baldwin's Wednesday press conferences, and talk with Kevin Norwood and Ricardo Lockette - the next wide receivers up in place of the injured Paul Richardson.

In anticipation of Sunday's NFC Championship, the Sea Hawkers Booster Club is hosting 12 rallies across North America tomorrow night. Click here to see if there's a location near you.

NFL.com's Marc Sessler previews Sunday's Seahawks-Packers matchup, predicting a 33-20 Seattle win.

ESPN Stats & Information shares the top stats to know ahead of Sunday's Seahawks-Packers game.

ESPN.com NFL Nation bloggers Terry Blount (Seahawks) and Rob Demovsky (Packers) have a back and forth discussion on Sunday's matchup.

Dave Boling at the Tacoma News Tribune comments on the true championship opportunity on deck for the Seahawks this week.

Gregg Bell at the Tacoma News Tribune says Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson credits his championship poise to his parents having him play multiple sports growing up.

Adam Lewis at SportsPressNW.com says the Seahawks expect Rodgers to throw to Sherman's side of the field after the Green Bay quarterback avoided the Seattle corner in Week 1 of the regular season.

Art Thiel at SportsPressNW.com highlights the Seahawks' ability to find quality free agents.

Brady Henderson at 710Sports.com passes along Wednesday's injury report that saw right tackle Justin Britt (knee) and defensive tackle Tony McDaniel (shoulder) sit out of practice.

Michael Grey at 710Sports.com says a stiff challenge awaits the Packers offense at Seattle's CenturyLink Field.

And Seattle's iconic Columbia Center - the tallest building in Washington state - will light up in Seahawks colors this week ahead of Sunday's championship game.

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

@TonyDrovetto*