SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Sherman touts Thomas as defensive player of the year

Dec 19, 2013, 3:30 PM | Updated: 4:43 pm

By Danny O’Neil

RENTON – Cornerback Richard Sherman believes the NFL Defensive Player of the Year should come from Seattle. He doesn’t necessarily think it should be him, though, instead pointing to Earl Thomas.

Titans Seahawks Football 22
Seahawks defensive backs Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman are both candidates for the defensive player of the year award. (AP)

“I would have to give it to Earl,” Sherman said. “I think if there is anywhere the defensive player of the year should be, it should be in Seattle. Whether it’s myself or Earl, but I think Earl is having a fantastic year.”

No doubt about that. Thomas has 72 solo tackles, which is the most on the team. He has intercepted five passes, which is second-most on the Seahawks.

But more than anything, Thomas’ range is the key to Seattle’s defense, allowing the Seahawks to keep just Thomas back, confident his speed allows him to provide help from sideline to sideline.

“I don’t think there’s anybody out there playing better defense,” Sherman said. “I think our defense is No. 1 in the league. Usually, the quarterback with the best record and the best receivers isn’t punished for that, so don’t punish one of the best players on the best defense.

“I think he should get it.”

Only two Seahawks have ever been named the league’s top defensive player: safety Kenny Easley in 1984 and defensive lineman Cortez Kennedy in 1992.

The award is determined by a postseason ballot of 50 voters selected by the Associated Press.

Feeling a draft

The depth of Seattle’s secondary is amazing not just because Seattle’s pass defense has continued to improve in spite of the losses of Brandon Browner and Walter Thurmond, but because of where the Seahawks have found that depth.

In general manager John Schneider’s four years in Seattle, the Seahawks have never selected a cornerback any higher than the fourth round.

Sherman was asked Thursday what the key to that success has been.

“It helps when you don’t listen to the idiots in the draft room,” he said.

Hmmm. Interesting.

“When you don’t listen to the idiots, you find players like Jeremy Lane and Byron Maxwell and myself … The list goes on,” he said. “But if you sit there and you listen to the idiots like Mel Kiper and Todd McShay and things like that, you miss a lot of good players.”

OK then.

Notes

• WR Bryan Walters has been promoted from Seattle’s practice squad to the active roster, taking the place of suspended CB Brandon Browner. Walters, a graduate of Juanita High School in Kirkland, spent time on Seattle’s roster earlier this season, appearing in three games.

• The Seahawks who did not practice Thursday were LB K.J. Wright (foot), WR Percy Harvin (hip), RG J.R. Sweezy (concussion), and CB Jeremy Lane (ankle). TE Zach Miller and RB Robert Turbin were limited participants.

Seattle Seahawks

Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft Jackson Powers-Johnson...

Brandon Gustafson

Brock’s Seahawks Draft Profiles: ‘The best center’ in the 2024 class

If the Seattle Seahawks want to boost their offensive line, Brock Huard wouldn't mind if they draft Oregon center Jackson Powers-Johnson.

9 hours ago

Seattle Seahawks NFL Draft Payton Wilson...

Brandon Gustafson

Brock’s Seahawks Draft Profile: ‘Twitched up’ LB fills a need

Next up in Brock Huard's Seattle Seahawks draft profiles is a very intriguing defender in North Carolina State linebacker Payton Wilson.

1 day ago

Seattle Seahawks Sam Howell...

Brandon Gustafson

New Seahawks QB Sam Howell describes trade, his role and more

The Seattle Seahawks have a new QB in Sam Howell, and he joined Brock & Salk on Wednesday to describe the trade that sent him to the Hawks.

1 day ago

Seattle Seahawks QB Geno Smith quarterback...

Stacy Rost

Are Seahawks really not Super Bowl contenders because of QB?

FOX Sports' Joel Klatt said the Seattle Seahawks "don't have the requisite quarterback play" to be a Super Bowl contender. Is he right?

2 days ago

Seattle Seahawks draft profile Bralen Trice UW Huskies...

Brent Stecker

Brock’s Seahawks Draft Profile: Pros, cons of UW DE Bralen Trice

For Day 2 of Brock Huard's Seattle Seahawks draft profiles, the former UW Huskies quarterback when with a name from his alma mater: defensive end Bralen Trice.

2 days ago

Seattle Seahawks Geno Smith...

Brandon Gustafson

FOX Sports’ Klatt: Seahawks’ quarterbacks ‘are not the answer’

"They don't have the requisite quarterback play to do that," FOX's Joel Klatt said of the Seattle Seahawks being a Super Bowl contender.

3 days ago

Sherman touts Thomas as defensive player of the year