Good morning, 12s. Here's a look at what's out there today — Wednesday, January 18 — about your Seattle Seahawks.
More Honors For Tariq Woolen & Kenneth Walker III
Both Walker and Woolen played key roles in Seattle's 9-8 season that culminated in a playoff berth. In just 15 games, Walker joined Seahawks Legend Curt Warner as the only backs in team history to reach 1,000 yards as a rookie. The Michigan State alum's nine touchdowns on the ground tied for No.10 league-wide, along with finishing the regular season with three-consecutive 100-yard games. NFL Analyst and former quarterback David Carr breaks down Walker's inclusion on the all-rookie team.
Seattle Seahawks · Michigan State
DRAFTED: Round 2, No. 41 overall
Walker solidified his place on this list long before Week 18, when he racked up 114 yards -- 20 of which came on one play -- on the game-winning drive in overtime, or Week 17, when he dashed off a 60-yard scamper on the first play from scrimmage. He made plays like that all season to help the Seahawks ultimately reach the playoffs. Walker missed two games -- he was inactive in Week 1 due to a hernia procedure and in Week 14 with an ankle injury -- and still led all rookies in rushing yards (1,050) and rushing touchdowns (nine). In a wide-open Offensive Rookie of the Year race, Walker has a real chance to be the first running back since Saquon Barkley (2018) to win the award. The Seahawks couldn't get past the Niners on Saturday, but they have a key piece for the future in Walker.
Texas-San Antonio alum Tariq Woolen was a weekly sensation throughout 2022, as he tied for the league-lead in interceptions (6) and tied for fourth in passes defensed (16). Kevin Patra of Around the NFL breaks down Woolen's inclusion and his phenomenal rookie campaign.
Seattle Seahawks · Texas-San Antonio
DRAFTED: Round 5, No. 153 overall
To call Woolen a steal would be an understatement. The fifth-round pick is a ballhawk, netting six interceptions, tied for the NFL lead, with 16 passes defended. The 6-4 corner possesses the size and length to lock up wideouts. Perhaps more impressive is his closing speed with the ball in the air. Quarterbacks think they have a window, and Woolen slams it shut. A perfect fit in Seattle's defense, the rookie allowed just a 49.8 passer rating against, the lowest among all corners with least 200 coverage snaps, per Next Gen Stats.
While Seattle's season may have ended before they'd liked, building a championship contender around the pieces they have in place are a lot easier when you find gems like this pair.
Re-live Each Game With The Seahawks Rewind Podcast
Re-live every Seahawks game this season with game highlights, player and coach postgame interviews, and a whole lot more. Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts.
Social Post Of The Day
Cast your vote for the Seahawks duo of running back Kenneth Walker III and cornerback Tariq Woolen for Pepsi's Rookie of the Year Award
More from Around The Web
Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times: Seahawks sign 10 practice squad players to future deals.
Joe Fann of Seattle Sports 710AM: Fann: The top 4 Seahawks storylines for this offseason.
Brandon Gustafson of Seattle Sports 710AM: Seahawks Draft: 2 position groups deep with unique high-end talent.
Daniel Flick of Sports Illustrated: Seahawks Free Agency Priority: Sign Geno Smith or Fix Defense?
Corbin Smith of Sports Illustrated: Seahawks vs. 49ers: 5 Ways to Close the Playoff Gap.
Go behind the scenes with team photographer Rod Mar as he shares moments from the Seahawks' Wild Card game vs. the San Francisco 49ers on January 14, 2023 at Levi's Stadium. Eye On The Hawks is presented by Western Washington Toyota Dealers.
12s line Seahawks Way as the team buses head to the airport for the trip to Santa Clara to face the 49ers.
12s cheer as the Seahawks team buses head to the airport for the trip to Santa Clara to face the 49ers.
Seahawks defensive lineman Myles Adams boards the Delta charter with teammates.
On the flight to the Bay Area, DK Metcalf chats with Noah Fant, Drew Lock and Cade Johnson (back to camera).
Heavy rains have battered Northern California, and the Seahawks arrived at the San Jose Airport to the results of the weather.
On game day, Boye Mafe on the team bus before his teammates board.
Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, head coach Pete Carroll and team Vice-President of Coaching Operations Matt Capurro tour the field before the game.
The Seahawks gather in the visitors locker room for their "team up".
Running back Kenneth Walker III stretches on the field before the game.
Head coach Pete Carroll greets starting linebacker Tanner Muse during the team stretch period.
Linebacker A.J. Johnson gets hyped during pregame warmups.
Seahawks safety Jamal Adams, who was injured earlier in the year, was with the team for the Wild-Card playoff game.
Seahawks captain Tyler Lockett speaks to the team before they leave the locker room for kickoff.
Seahawks captains Nick Bellore, Al Woods and Quandre Diggs make their way to midfield for the coin toss.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith fires a pass from the pocket in the first quarter.
Running back Kenneth Walker III returns to the sidlines after scoring Seattle's first touchdown.
Seahawks defensive lineman Poona Ford pursues 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy.
Seahawks tight end Noah Fant leaps for more yardage on a catch in the second quarter.
Kenneth Walker III runs away from the 49ers defense.
Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf hauls in a 50-yard touchdown completion from Geno Smith in the second quarter.
Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith celebrates after his 50-yard touchdown strike to DK Metcalf.
Seahawks receiver DK Metcalf escapes a tackle attempt and finds running room.
Seahawks kicker Jason Myers reacts after hammering home a 56-yard field goal at the end of the first half.
Seahawks head coach Pete Carolll celebrates with his kicker Jason Myers after a last-second field goal to take the lead into halftime.
At halftime, the offense meets in the locker room.
Head coach Pete Carroll fires up the team at halftime.
Safety Ryan Neal makes a tackle in the third quarter.
DK Metcalf makes juggling catch in the third quarter.
Tight ends coach Pat McPherson meets with Noah Fant and Colby Parkinson during a break in the action.
Seahawks safety Ryan Neal and linebacker Boye Mafe combine on a tackle in the third quarter.
Near the end of the game, offensive guard Gabe Jackson hugs quarterback Geno Smith as the season winds to an end.
In the postgame locker room, quarterback Geno Smith talks to his teammates and coaches.
Head coach Pete Carroll hugs linebacker Uchenna Nwosu.
Long after the rest of the team had headed for the buses, receivers DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Penny Hart talked among themselves in the empty locker room.
Quarterback Geno Smith was the last player off the Delta charter after it arrived in Seattle on Saturday night.
