Good afternoon, 12s.
Here's a look at what's "out there" for today - Thursday, July 7 - about your Seattle Seahawks:
SI's Positional Ranks Include Several Seahawks
Ahead of the 2016 season, SI.com is releasing a series of NFL positional rankings and several Seahawks have been named to the site's lists.
Sports Illustrated has named Earl Thomas the NFL's best free safety, Kam Chancellor the best strong safety, Richard Sherman the best outside cornerback, Bobby Wagner the second-best inside linebacker, defensive end Michael Bennett the third-best hybrid player, and K.J. Wright the seventh-best outside linebacker.
Here's a look at what SI had to say about each Seahawk named so far:
Earl Thomas: Teams that have tried to replicate Seattle's defensive approach repeatedly have run into the same issue: players like Thomas are almost impossible to find. He has the range to disrupt offenses from sideline to sideline, backed with the instincts to step up inside the hash marks. While Richard Sherman long has been the face of Seattle's vaunted defense, Thomas is the straw that stirs the drink.
Kam Chancellor:Earl Thomas handles the deep middle, with Chancellor bringing the hammer on the second level, serving as essentially an extra linebacker on many of Seattle's schematic calls. When both are out there together, it's almost foolish for quarterbacks to test the Seahawks between the hash marks...except for the fact that Richard Sherman is lurking on the outside. Obviously, all of Seattle's players in the secondary benefit from the presence of elite talent around him, but that does not diminish what Chancellor can do on his own.
Richard Sherman:Nobody makes top receivers disappear like Sherman does with his long arms and complete fearlessness at the line of scrimmage, setting him up to put the receiver in tighter quarters before the snap than almost anyone else. QBs have shied away from Sherman for several years, but when the ball comes his way, his hands don't show any signs of rust.
Bobby Wagner:He started the year slow, possibly due to a pectoral injury, but found his form late. In Seattle's playoff loss to Carolina, Wagner was one of the few defenders who had a positive first half as he made eight stops in the first two quarters, including a goal-line tackle on Jonathan Stewart after standing his ground amid a mess of blockers. He finished that game with 13 combined tackles. The Seahawks will seek revenge this year.
Michael Bennett: If Bennett were to stand on his credentials as an end alone, he'd be worthy of Pro Bowl status. But Bennett is special and high on this list because he kicks inside to pass-rushing tackle on 30 to 40% of his plays per season. So, he's leading the league in quarterback sacks, hits, and hurries combined at one of his positions while adding superior value at another. Not only that, but Bennett is a superior run defender who uses his strength and gap understanding to shoot past guards who outweigh him by 30-40 pounds—and he can move inside to nose tackle on a spot basis to disrupt from there. Not bad for a guy who tops out at 270 pounds.
K.J. Wright: There is without question a case to be made that Wright is just as integral to his team's linebacking corps as is the oft-hyped Bobby Wagner. Wright played 97.4% of Seattle's snaps across the entire year, per Football Outsiders, behind only Earl Thomas (98.3%) and Richard Sherman (98.0%). Wagner is a more explosive, athletic defender overall but Wright is equally comfortable vs. the run and pass, and is arguably a step ahead of Wagner defending the latter.
Look for SI's NFL positional ranks to continue over the next couple weeks.
Tweet Of The Day
Today's "Tweet of the Day" comes from Virginia Mason Athletic Center's dog Turf, who became a father of eight on Wednesday.
More From Around The Web
Take a look at the 2016 Sea Gals roster as they pose for their glamour photos.
Offensive Tackle Rob Havenstein
Wide Receiver/ Kick Returner Pharoh Cooper
Defensive tackle Aaron Donald
Linebacker Alec Ogletree
Offensive Tackle Andrew Whitworth
Linebacker Connor Barwin
Defensive End Ethan Westbrooks
Tight End Gerald Everett
Kicker Greg Zuerlein
Long Snapper Jake McQuaide
Guard Jamon Brown
Quarterback Jared Goff
Safety John Johnson
Center John Sullivan
Punter Johnny Hekker
Here at Seahawks.com, digital media reporter John Boyle reviews British Premier League club West Ham United's stay at Seahawks headquarters this week and recaps a Players' Tribune piece former Seahawks wideout Ricardo Lockette penned about his career-ending injury.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson and Ciara announced their marriage Wednesday.
Milwaukee Bucks head coach Jason Kidd shared what he learned from Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll during a recent visit to the Seattle area.
Bob Condotta at the Seattle Times has info on a Seahawks visit to Barrow, Alaska that included offensive linemen Terry Poole and Kristjan Sokoli, as well as coach Tom Cable.
Eric Mandel at 710Sports.com recaps a recent "Brock and Salk" appearance from ESPN NFL Insider Mike Sando, who disucssed where Russell Wilson fits among the game's top quarterbacks.
Brady Henderson at 710Sports.com continues to look at the 25 most intriguing Seahawks heading into training camp, writing about cornerback Jeremy Lane at No. 20.
And Seahawks Ring of Honor member Curt Warner, a first-round pick of the Seahawks in 1983, is mentioned in NFL.com's list of the Top 5 running back draft classes of all-time.
Join us in wishing Cassius Marsh a happy 24th birthday on Thursday, July 7!
Offensive Guard Rodger Saffold
Wide receiver Robert Woods
Wide Receiver Sammy Watkins
![[October 31, 1976]: Rams 45- Seahawks 6Seattle Seahawks running back Ralph Nelson (44) runs upfield during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams in Los Angeles, Oct. 31, 1976. The Rams defeated the Seahawks 45-6. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/seahawks/gjd60xyl1prew6aqxx28.jpg)
[October 31, 1976]: Rams 45- Seahawks 6Seattle Seahawks running back Ralph Nelson (44) runs upfield during an NFL game against the Los Angeles Rams in Los Angeles, Oct. 31, 1976. The Rams defeated the Seahawks 45-6. (AP Photo/NFL Photos)
![[August 7, 1992]: Rams 21- Seahawks 7Quarterback Dan McGwire (10) of the Seattle Seahawks manages to get the pass off in time to avoid the sack as Jim Skow (68) of the Los Angeles Rams applies the defensive rush during the fourth quarter of their pre-season NFL game, Aug. 7, 1992, in Seattle. Los Angeles beat Seattle, 21-7. (AP Photo/Bill Chan)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/seahawks/hkvtwn5fotnxlikmz2jg.jpg)
[August 7, 1992]: Rams 21- Seahawks 7Quarterback Dan McGwire (10) of the Seattle Seahawks manages to get the pass off in time to avoid the sack as Jim Skow (68) of the Los Angeles Rams applies the defensive rush during the fourth quarter of their pre-season NFL game, Aug. 7, 1992, in Seattle. Los Angeles beat Seattle, 21-7. (AP Photo/Bill Chan)
![[October 10, 2004]: Rams 33- Seahawks 27Seattle Seahawks cornerback Ken Lucas intercepts a pass intended for St. Louis Rams wide receiver Torry Holt (81) in the first quarter Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004 at Qwest Field in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/seahawks/mjt6ygdkezihesko3ubl.jpg)
[October 10, 2004]: Rams 33- Seahawks 27Seattle Seahawks cornerback Ken Lucas intercepts a pass intended for St. Louis Rams wide receiver Torry Holt (81) in the first quarter Sunday, Oct. 10, 2004 at Qwest Field in Seattle. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
![[October 21, 2007]: Seahawks 33- Rams 6Seattle Seahawks' Bobby Engram, left, runs up field as St. Louis Rams' Leonard Little moves in during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007, in Seattle. The Seahawks won 33-6. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/seahawks/dghg2j2bfqbcb51m42fe.jpg)
[October 21, 2007]: Seahawks 33- Rams 6Seattle Seahawks' Bobby Engram, left, runs up field as St. Louis Rams' Leonard Little moves in during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 21, 2007, in Seattle. The Seahawks won 33-6. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
Cornerback Trumaine Johnson
![[November 12, 2006]: Seahawks 24- Rams 22Seattle Seahawks' Jerramy Stevens reaches for the ball as St. Louis Rams' Brandon Chillar defends in the first quarter of their NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 12, 2006, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/seahawks/sv6m5qnijov6hjsm3e0g.jpg)
[November 12, 2006]: Seahawks 24- Rams 22Seattle Seahawks' Jerramy Stevens reaches for the ball as St. Louis Rams' Brandon Chillar defends in the first quarter of their NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 12, 2006, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer)
Cornerback Troy Hill
![[January 8, 2005]: Rams 27- Seahawks 20Seattle Seahawks defenders Kris Richard, left, and Ken Lucas, right, break up a pass intended for St. Louis Rams' Torry Holt in the third quarter of their NFC wild-card playoff game in Seattle, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2005. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/seahawks/tsndbxh20h6rn3rznyvf.jpg)
[January 8, 2005]: Rams 27- Seahawks 20Seattle Seahawks defenders Kris Richard, left, and Ken Lucas, right, break up a pass intended for St. Louis Rams' Torry Holt in the third quarter of their NFC wild-card playoff game in Seattle, Saturday, Jan. 8, 2005. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
![[December 14, 2003]: Rams 27- Seahawks 22St. Louis Rams' Grant Wistrom sacks Seattle Seahawks' Matt Hasselbeck in the second quarter Sunday, Dec. 14, 2003, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/seahawks/oh1dlnz2htn1fbhein5j.jpg)
[December 14, 2003]: Rams 27- Seahawks 22St. Louis Rams' Grant Wistrom sacks Seattle Seahawks' Matt Hasselbeck in the second quarter Sunday, Dec. 14, 2003, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Tom Gannam)
![[October 15, 2006]: Seahawks 30- Rams 28Seattle Seahawks' Delon Branch, right, catches a touchdown pass in front of St. Louis Rams' Travis Fisher in the forth quarter in an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 15, 2006, in St. Louis. The Seahawks won 30-28. (AP Photo/Bill Boyce)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/seahawks/sow2rmxvdomoo5tv2xlr.jpg)
[October 15, 2006]: Seahawks 30- Rams 28Seattle Seahawks' Delon Branch, right, catches a touchdown pass in front of St. Louis Rams' Travis Fisher in the forth quarter in an NFL football game Sunday, Oct. 15, 2006, in St. Louis. The Seahawks won 30-28. (AP Photo/Bill Boyce)
![[November 13, 2005]: Seahawks 31- Rams 16St. Louis Rams quarterback Marc Bulger, right, is sacked by Seattle Seahawks' Lofa Tatupu in the third quarter, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2005, in Seattle. The Seahawks won, 31-16. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/seahawks/hnhtqqnxbsmvvsbcec9j.jpg)
[November 13, 2005]: Seahawks 31- Rams 16St. Louis Rams quarterback Marc Bulger, right, is sacked by Seattle Seahawks' Lofa Tatupu in the third quarter, Sunday, Nov. 13, 2005, in Seattle. The Seahawks won, 31-16. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
![[October 9, 2005]: Seahawks 37- Rams 31Seattle Seahawks' Joe Jurevicius (87) looks for room to run against the St. Louis Rams defensive backs Corey Ivy (35) and Chris Johnson (37) following a pass reception during the second half Sunday, Oct. 9, 2005, in St. Louis. Jurevicius had nine catches for 137 yards in the Seahawks' 37-31 win. (AP Photo/James A. Finley)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/seahawks/srub6ahyqhv6r1pip6js.jpg)
[October 9, 2005]: Seahawks 37- Rams 31Seattle Seahawks' Joe Jurevicius (87) looks for room to run against the St. Louis Rams defensive backs Corey Ivy (35) and Chris Johnson (37) following a pass reception during the second half Sunday, Oct. 9, 2005, in St. Louis. Jurevicius had nine catches for 137 yards in the Seahawks' 37-31 win. (AP Photo/James A. Finley)
![[September 10,2000]: Rams 37- Seahawks 34Saint Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk plays in an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks at Husky Stadium in Seattle Washington on September 10, 2000 (AP Photo/Tom DiPace)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/seahawks/c5xqjzdjbcylaczd1dfa.jpg)
[September 10,2000]: Rams 37- Seahawks 34Saint Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk plays in an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks at Husky Stadium in Seattle Washington on September 10, 2000 (AP Photo/Tom DiPace)
[September 10,2000]: Rams 37- Seahawks 34Saint Louis Rams running back Marshall Faulk plays in an NFL game against the Seattle Seahawks at Husky Stadium in Seattle Washington on September 10, 2000 (AP Photo/Tom DiPace)
Running Back Todd Gurley II
Running Back Todd Gurley II
Linebacker Robert Quinn
![[September 21, 2003]: Seahawks 24- Rams 23Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander carries the ball as he plows through St. Louis Rams' Aeneas Williams in second-half action Sunday, Sept. 21, 2003 in Seahawks Stadium in Seattle. Alexander entered the game in the middle of the second quarter after being with his wife Valerie for the birth of their daughter, Heaven Nashay Alexander earlier in the day. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/seahawks/q6lqq1cqocaqqxdqdkcy.jpg)
[September 21, 2003]: Seahawks 24- Rams 23Seattle Seahawks' Shaun Alexander carries the ball as he plows through St. Louis Rams' Aeneas Williams in second-half action Sunday, Sept. 21, 2003 in Seahawks Stadium in Seattle. Alexander entered the game in the middle of the second quarter after being with his wife Valerie for the birth of their daughter, Heaven Nashay Alexander earlier in the day. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Tight End Tyler Higbee
![[December 22, 2002]: Seahawks 30- Rams 10Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck makes a pass against the St. Louis Rams during the first half in Seattle, Sunday Dec. 22, 2002. Hasselbeck passed for 303 yards completing 20 in 32 attempts as the Seahawks win 30-10. Behind is Rams' Troyka Jackson and Seahawks' Walter Jones. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)](https://static.clubs.nfl.com/image/private/t_new_photo_album_2x/t_lazy/f_auto/seahawks/nbafrrcwqbtpfyvsrknx.jpg)
[December 22, 2002]: Seahawks 30- Rams 10Seattle Seahawks quarterback Matt Hasselbeck makes a pass against the St. Louis Rams during the first half in Seattle, Sunday Dec. 22, 2002. Hasselbeck passed for 303 yards completing 20 in 32 attempts as the Seahawks win 30-10. Behind is Rams' Troyka Jackson and Seahawks' Walter Jones. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Wide receiver Tavon Austin
