Good morning, 12s. Here's a look at what's out there today — Wednesday, January 11 — about your Seattle Seahawks
Tariq Woolen & Abraham Lucas Named To PFF All-Rookie Team
With a 19-16 overtime win over the Los Angeles Rams and some help from the Denver Lions, the Seahawks earned a playoff berth in Week 18. Seattle's 2022 rookie class has played a big part in the team's success, and Pro Football Focus acknowledged that by namingtackle Abraham Lucas and cornerback Tariq Woolen to the 2022 PFF All-Rookie team.
Last April, Seattle selected Woolen in the fifth round out of the University of Texas-San Antonio. Just a few years back, Woolen made the switch from wideout in college. Now, he finishes his first season in a tie for the league's interception lead (6) and tied for No. 4 in passes defensed (16). Both local and national media have praised the 6-foot-4 ballhawk who's been taken under the wing by Seahawks Legend Richard Sherman. But he proved to be more than just a "cover corner," notching 46 solo tackles and recovering two fumbles. Along with setting a franchise-record for rookie interceptions, Woolen earned Pro Bowl honors. Michael Renner of PFF breaks down Woolen's nomination on the list.
A fifth-round former receiver-turned-corner playing at a high level as a rookie? Where have we seen that before? Woolen picked off six passes and broke up nine more in quite the playmaking rookie season. While he still needs to clean up some penalties (8) and tackling issues (18.7% missed rate), Woolen looks like a defensive cornerstone.
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Washington State alum Abraham Lucas was selected by Seattle in the third round of last year's draft, and quickly earned his keep.
After being named starter along with fellow rookie tackle Charles Cross following the preseason, Lucas made an immediate impact in protecting quarterback Geno Smith, starting 16 games and playing every offensive snap of the season until injuring his knee in Week 15, an injury that caused him to miss just one game. At the halfway point of the season, PFF nominated Lucas to the Midseason team - now he finishes the job. Renner breaks down another Day 3 gem found by Seattle.
_The Seahawks' 2022 draft class was so loaded that it's easy to forget about the stellar job Lucas did as a Day 1 starter at tackle. The third-rounder finished the regular season with a 68.5 overall grade and allowed only 28 pressures.
There is, however, one glaring omission from PFF's team - Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III. Walker led all rookies in rushing with 1,050 yards (T-12th), and he had had three-more 100-yard games (5 to 2) and six more rushing touchdowns (9 to 3) than PFF's selection, Atlanta's Tyler Allgeier instead. The Michigan State alum will fortunately have the opportunity to propel his team to a playoff win, capping off a spectacular rookie campaign.
Social Post Of The Day
The only quarterback league-wide to take every snap of the season. #StillAintWroteBack
More from Around The Web
Larry Stone of the Seattle Times: Pete Carroll will have to take coaching to new level vs. 49ers in playoffs.
Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times: Seahawks WR Dee Eskridge returns to practice.
Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times: How Cade Johnson went from undrafted free agent to Seahawks’ de facto third receiver.
Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times: Seahawks happy to be in playoffs but had ‘higher expectations’ for regular season.
Joe Fann of Seattle Sports 710AM: Fann: Why Seahawks should go for broke in playoffs vs 49ers.
Corbin Smith of Sports Illustrated: 'He's a Hero Around Here!' Seahawks' Quandre Diggs Wins NFL 'Player of the Week'.
Brent Stecker of Seattle Sports 710AM: Seahawks Football 101: Geno Smith’s season, Boye Mafe’s emergence.
Here at Seahawks.com, more on Seahawks safety Quandre Diggs earning NFC Defensive Player of the Week honors.
The Seahawks practiced on Tuesday, January 10 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in preparation for Saturday's Wild Card game vs. the 49ers in San Francisco. Seahawks practice photos are presented by Gatorade.