Good morning, 12s.
Here's a look at what's "out there" for today - Thursday, June 25 - about your Seattle Seahawks:
Making The Grade
With the team's offseason program in the books, Terry Blount at ESPN.com has assigned the Seahawks a grade for their work in free agency, the NFL Draft, and for how the club performed through OTAs (Organized Team Activities) and mandatory minicamp.
Blount gives Seattle a solid 'B', primarily because of the addition of three-time Pro Bowl tight end Jimmy Graham.
Best move: Without question, it was the trade for New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham, even though it cost the Seahawks their first-round draft pick this year and starting center Max Unger. Graham will be a true difference-maker for Seattle's offense as one of the most dynamic playmakers in the league, especially in the red zone. Defenses are going to have to account for him over the middle, which will open things up for the wide receivers and make running back Marshawn Lynch even more effective and more dangerous. Quarterback Russell Wilson now has a true go-to guy in the clutch.
Blount also shared thoughts as the Seahawks look ahead to training camp, which gets underway at the end of next month.
Training camp outlook: It's really about polishing what already is a shiny product for the most talented team in the NFL. Only three 2014 starters won't return -- Unger, left guard James Carpenter and cornerback Byron Maxwell. Alvin Bailey, in the best shape of his career, steps in a left guard and could be better than Carpenter. The Seahawks have a drop-off at corner without Maxwell but added veteran Cary Williams, a physical player who fits the Legion of Boom image and playing style. The center spot is up for grabs, with veteran Lemuel Jeanpierre the leading contender for the job. The truth is as good as Unger was, the Seahawks were pretty good last season in the 10 games he missed. If there is one downer it's that the Seahawks and Wilson haven't reached an agreement on a new contract, a storyline that isn't going away.
Earl Thomas & Russell Wilson On Top 100
Quarterback Russell Wilson (No. 22) and free safety Earl Thomas (No. 21) became the fifth and sixth Seahawks to debut on NFL Network's countdown of the Top 100 Players of 2015.
The pair joined tight end Jimmy Graham (No. 31), strong safety Kam Chancellor (No. 41), linebacker Bobby Wagner (No. 69), and defensive end Michael Bennett (No. 90).
With his No. 21 ranking, Thomas becomes the highest-rated player at his position. The second-highest? That'd be his 'Legion of Boom' teammate Chancellor.
Wilson and Thomas' Top 100 videos are embedded for you above.
Training Camp Registration Opens Today
As a quick reminder, registration for Seahawks training camp opens to the general public today on a first-come, first-served basis. Head over to trainingcamp.seahawks.com to sign up.
From The Princess Cruise
The Princess Cruise's "Sail with the 12s" departed this past Sunday from Seattle's Pier 91, embarking on a seven-night Seahawks-themed voyage to Alaska.
Several Seattle players, including defensive end Greg Scruggs, tight end Cooper Helfet, right tackle Justin Britt, as well as former Seahawks quarterback Jim Zorn (pictured with a furry friend above), former safety Jordan Babineaux, and former guard Edwin Bailey, joined roughly 3,000 fans aboard the Crown Princess, which will make stops in Juneau, Skagway, Tracy Arm Fjord, Ketchikan, and Victoria B.C.
Tweet(s) Of The Day
Today's 'Tweet of the Day' comes from us - @Seahawks, as we share a map and details of this weekend's '12 Tour' through Central Washington. The tour departs this morning from team headquarters.
One more "Tweet of Day" comes from Seattle Mariners slugger Nelson Cruz, who's up for All-Star voting this year as the American League's designated hitter.
More From Around The Web
Russell Wilson's Passing Academy recently saw its first stop in Raleigh, N.C.
Seahawks defensive end Cliff Avril became a weatherman for the day, appearing on-air for WJXT in Jacksonville.
Bob Condotta at the Seattle Times has a position-by-position preview of the Seahawks defense as training camp approaches.
Brady Henderson and Danny O'Neil at 710Sports.com review the Seahawks' deepest and shallowest position groups.
The Sea Gals posed for the camera during the 2015 Glamour shoot.
Bucky Brooks at NFL.com ranks the Top 20 coordinators overall in the League. Seattle defensive coordinator Kris Richard, in his first year, comes in at No. 20 on Brooks' list.
Julian Rogers at SeattlePI.com poses six offseason questions for the Seahawks.
Matt Verderame at FanSided.com thinks cornerback Cary Williams will be the Seahawks X-factor this season.
And Rotoworld.com shares notes from each NFC team's recently-wrapped up offseason programs.
D*id I miss anything you think is worthy of inclusion? Let me know on Twitter *
