Good afternoon, 12s. Here's a look at what's out there today — Thursday, July 27 — about your Seattle Seahawks.
It’s been four years since the Seahawks acquired safety Quandre Diggs via midseason trade with the Detroit Lions. In that span, the Texas alum has overcome a broken fibula, made three-consecutive Pro Bowl teams and become Seattle’s social media spokesperson and insider. Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic visited Austin this offseason to do a deep dive into Diggs' rise to becoming the "backbone" of the Seahawks.
In 2022, Diggs combined for 71 tackles, 4 interceptions, 7 pass deflections and a forced fumble across 17 games. Diggs is just the second defensive back to record at-least three interceptions over six-consecutive seasons in the last decade. A leader on the field, Diggs was named a 2022 team captain last September. But off-the-field and on social media, he's better known as "Nino." Dugar delves deeper into the man under the helmet, and how he's grown into the team's insider and the voice of reason for fans on Twitter.
Dugar goes back in Diggs' journey to his early days following his brother NFL veteran cornerback Quentin Jammer's footsteps to the pros. The 12-year pro discussed training Diggs to be a high-level player as a child while growing up in Angleton, Texas.
"We were grooming him to be an athlete," said Jammer. "It wasn't just me. It was an entire group of people in Angleton."
Diggs would follow his brother's footsteps to the University of Texas, before being selected by the Detroit Lions in the sixth round of the 2015 draft. In a candid interview, Diggs gets transparent about the internal struggle of the Lions' struggles to win games. The 30-year-old talks about hitting low points in inspiration, while being a vocal leader for a struggling team.
"God, why can't I just go somewhere I can win," Diggs said aloud, "and enjoy football again?'
The piece includes the thoughts of teammates Diggs has impacted on both stops of his pro journey, including former Lions defensive tackle Damon "Snacks" Harrison.
"If you ever saw anybody from Detroit celebrating after something," said Harrison. "They knew what was coming after they got to the sideline. Quandre and the DBs, they did not care in any way."
Coach Carroll discusses Diggs' lore in the locker room, comparing him to a Seahawks legend.
"He has a power in his language," said Carroll. "He has a power in his perspective. Very similar to Marshawn (Lynch). The guys love him. They just love him. He says something, they do what he says."
Whether it's breaking the news of his own contract restructure to beat the national press, or announcing the Seahawks throwback jersey reveal in-coordination with the team - Diggs is a voice for the 12s. But he also doesn't mind speaking up for himself. Whether being snubbed from the NFL Top-100 list, or his desire for a First Team All-Pro nomination, Diggs has no problem making his own case. But the statistics show, he's walked-the-walk since arriving in the Pacific Northwest in more ways than one. Dugar dives into why the 5-9 safety keeps the chip on his shoulder.
"I take everything as a grudge. All that stuff always sticks with me," Diggs says. "I always think about that. That's one of the reasons I go so hard, even in the offseason."
No matter the circumstances, Nino continues to beat the odds. As Seattle strives for a second championship, Diggs continues his quest for the respect he deserves. Read more from Dugar on Diggs journey into becoming the backbone of the Seahawks and finding his own identity.
Mike Holmgren Named to Pro Football Hall of Fame Semifinalist Group of 12
Earlier this month, Seahawks Legend and former Coach Mike Holmgren was named as one-of-29 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame Coaches/Contributor Semifinalists. On Thursday, the semifinalist group was reduced to 12, with the former Green Bay Packers and Seahawks leader making the cut.
In 2022, Holmgren was named a finalist, falling just short of receiving his enshrinement into Canton. This marks the third nomination for the 75-year-old since 2020.
Across nearly two decades as a head coach, Holmgren won 161 regular season games and 13 playoff contests. In 12 out of 16 seasons, Holmgren's teams made the playoffs, and three appeared in the super bowl. Both Packers and Seahawks fans hope the third time in-fact will be the charm for Holmgren to receive his rightful spot in Canton.
Social Post Of The Day
Seahawks Vice President of Player Affairs Maurice Kelly shares a funny Marshawn Lynch story on the K.J. All Day Show
More From Around The Web
Gregg Bell of The News Tribune: Jarran Reed now at nose tackle, plus 4 other things we learned from Seahawks camp day 1.
Gregg Bell of The News Tribune: Quandre Diggs, roaring fans honor Bobby Wagner on his return day to Seahawks training camp
Brandon Gustafson of Seattle Sports 710AM: DK Metcalf: Jaxon Smith-Njigba ‘going to be special’ for Seahawks.
Here at Seahawks.com, five observations from Day 1 of training camp.
Also at Seahawks.com, Uchenna Nwosu discusses his recently-signed contract extension.
