Richard Sherman says Seahawks’ Legion of Boom ‘hitting our prime’

The Seahawks’ secondary may be as complete as it has been since the Legion of Boom nickname was born in 2011.

The group that steadied the defense that has led NFL in fewest points allowed for four consecutive years saw the return of cornerback/safety Brandon Browner this offseason, and it’s deeper than it has been in recent seasons.

In the debut edition of his new weekday show on 710 ESPN Seattle, John Clayton asked cornerback Richard Sherman to describe Seattle’s secondary in its current form.

“We’re hitting our prime, that’s what I’d say,” Sherman said in an interview that aired Monday. “I think at the beginning with our infancy, when we started this thing, it was our second, third years in the league. Now we’re (in our) sixth, seventh years in the league. We’re much more veteran. We have a great understanding of what’s being asked of us and how to approach the game.”

Seahawks’ Richard Sherman gives his presidential pitch

With the exception of Browner, 31, the primary members of the current group are in their mid- to late-20s. Sherman and strong safety Kam Chancellor are 28, free safety Earl Thomas is 27, cornerback/safety DeShawn Shead is 26 and cornerback Jeremy Lane is 25. Despite being one of the more elder statesmen on the crew, Sherman said he still spends “a ton” of time studying tendencies of teams and specific players on film.

“You can never watch too much (film),” he said. “Sometimes I just watch individual receivers, sometimes I watch DBs. You just find stuff. In the offseason I’m not really studying anything particular. I’m just watching film, watching different playing styles. Guys who had success, how they had it. The defenses, the way they move, the way they blitz, the way they pressure the quarterback. D-line and O-line play is some of the most intriguing to me sometimes.”

Below are some other highlights from the conversation.

On WR Doug Baldwin’s contract situation: “I think Doug Baldwin wants to be here and they want him to be here, so they will find the money to keep him.”

On a team full of alpha males:  “We’re like a pack of wolves with a bunch of alphas. Usually you would think that wouldn’t work, but there is such a respect level and appreciation for the hard work and contributions that everybody puts in. And also a respect, appreciation and admiration for people’s families. That’s what makes it different here … When you’re playing the game on that level, then it really feels like you’re playing for your brother, you’re playing for your family. And that’s what it means to us. You hold it to a higher standard.”

On fatherhood not taking away from his job: “It doesn’t take any time away from this. Obviously, this is my job. We come in here and this is how we butter our bread and feed our families. But it definitely takes away time. You spend a lot more personal time with your kids and your family, and it brings you closer together. It’s different. You get a nice perspective chilling with your kids and hanging out and trying to figure out what your mom had to deal with all those years with you. You have a lot more respect for your parents after you’re done raising kids.”

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