Tuesday in Hawkville: It took 12 seasons, but Kevin Williams is finally Super Bowl bound

A recap of the activities at Virginia Mason Athletic Center for Jan. 20, when the players had their "off" day and the coaches were compiling the game plan for the Feb. 1 matchup against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX:

FOCUS ON: KEVIN WILLIAMS

In his first 11 NFL seasons, Williams had pretty much done it all. Six-time Pro Bowl selection. A five-time All-Pro. Four playoff appearances.

But something that's even bigger than the 6-foot-5, 311-pound Williams was missing from his resume: A trip to the Super Bowl.

That's about to change, of course, because in his first season with the Seahawks, Williams will be the starting nose tackle against the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XLIX on Feb. 1.

"It's awesome, man," Williams said on Monday. "I'm still kind of in a little disbelief, how we got it done and how the game unfolded. I was happy last night. Now I'm back to concentrating on let's get this other win now."

The game that unfolded in such a disbelieving manner was the Seahawks' storm-from-behind 28-22 overtime victory against the Green Bay Packers in Sunday's NFC title game. The other win that Williams is now concentrating on is the Super Bowl.

Getting to a Super Bowl is why Williams elected to sign with the Seahawks when he became a free agent last offseason. But he never expected to be filling the role he finds himself in. All Williams' accolades came while playing the three-technique tackle spot, where he worked in the Seahawks' rotation for the first nine games. But when Brandon Mebane was lost for the season with a hamstring injury, Williams became that starting nose tackle for the final nine regular-season games and both playoff games.

"It's kind of unique how things happened," Williams said. "You come in to help contribute wherever you can, you lose one of your starting players to injury and you're moving to the nose. I'm just trying to do whatever I'm called upon to do and make plays."

Regardless of the radical change in roles, Williams is glad to be filling it as the Seahawks prepare for the Super Bowl.

"You play a long time, you get the contracts, you make All-Pros and all that stuff," he said. "But you want to play in a Super Bowl. And to be able to do that with this great group of guys, it's tremendous."   

OPPONENT WATCH: BRANDON BROWNER

You might remember him. Original member of the Legion of Boom. Signed with the Seahawks in 2011 after playing four seasons in the CFL. Stepped into the lineup at right cornerback as a third-option injury replacement in training camp that summer and concluded that first season by playing in the Pro Bowl.

Yeah, that Brandon Browner. He signed with the Patriots during the offseason and will play against the Seahawks in the Super Bowl.

"I'm looking forward to it," wide receiver Jermaine Kearse said matching up against the 6-4, 221-pound Browner in a game after working against him in practice. "I had my share of going against B.B. a lot. I'm definitely looking forward to it. It's going to be a lot of fun."

Browner started nine games during the regular for the Patriots and both playoff games. He had 25 tackles and one interception in the regular season and has added four tackles during the postseason.

OFFICIALLY SPEAKING

The officials for the Super Bowl have been announced: referee Bill Vinovich; umpire Bill Schuster; head linesman Dana McKenzie; line judge Mark Perlman; field judge Bob Waggoner; side judge Tom Hill; and back judge Terrence Miles.

Vinovich, Schuster, McKenzie and Miles will be working their first Super Bowl.

STATS 'N STUFF: MARSHAWN LYNCH LEADER OF THE POSTSEASON PACK

After his franchise playoff-record 157-yard performance in the NFC title game, Marshawn Lynch is the NFL's leading postseason rusher with 216 yards. His 5.5-yard average also is tops among the Top 10 backs, and he's second in total yards (248) and tied for fifth in first downs produced (11).

Richard Sherman is tied for the postseason lead with two interceptions.  

Kearse is fourth among postseason receivers with 164 receiving yards, and his 41.0-yard average obviously leads the NFL in the postseason. Doug Baldwin is sixth in receiving yards (144), tied for fifth in third-down receptions (three) and tied for ninth in receptions (nine). Luke Willson and Ricardo Lockette also have three third-down receptions.

Russell Wilson is No. 6 in passer rating (81.6), No. 5 in third-down passer rating (106.8) and No. 7 in fourth-quarter passer rating (85.4).

Jon Ryan is tied for fifth in punting average (40.7) and sixth in net average (36.2).

After leading the league in average yards allowed during the regular season (267.1), the Seahawks are No. 6 in the postseason (334.0) and 10th among the 12 teams that advanced in average rushing yards allowed (133.5). The offense is No. 5 in average yards (372.5) and No. 2 in average rushing yards (147.0).

Middle linebacker Bobby Wagner leads the team in postseason tackles with 19 and strong safety Kam Chancellor is the leader in solo tackles with 12.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO...

Tuesday is Tony McDaniel's 30th birthday. The 6-7, 305-pound McDaniel is in his second season at the three-technique tackle on the NFL's No. 1-ranked defense. He had 31 tackles during the regular season, second among the D-lineman to Michael Bennett (39). Last season, McDaniel had a career-high 52 tackles, which was fifth on the team and tops among the linemen.

Wednesday is Jacob Green's 58th birthday. The Ring of Honor defensive end is the franchise's all-time sack leader with 116, and he led the Seahawks in sacks nine times during his 12 seasons with the team. He also holds the club records for forced fumbles in his career (28) and in a season (seven in 1985).

So we send happy hunker-down-and-get-to-the-ball-carrier wishes to McDaniel and Green.    

UP NEXT: "COMPETITION WEDNESDAY"

The players return from their "off" day for the first of three practices this week, and they will begin with the apropos "Competition Wednesday" session.