Leon Washington ranks No. 2

Published on August 22, 2011 by Seahawks.Com News (Feed)     

Let’s call this Rank ’n File, part 2. Pro Football Weekly has come out with its season preview “magazine,” but it’s an on-line version because of the 136-day lockout.

Included are the annual player rankings by position and the Seahawks have nine included – with kick returner Leon Washington the highest at No. 2:

KR Leon Washington, No. 2: “The ‘value to team’ component of these rankings must always be kept in mind. To this end, we refer you to the Seahawks; 27-20 win vs. San Diego in Week Three, when Washington returned a pair of kickoffs for TDs, including what turned out to be the game-winner in the fourth quarter. The victory was one of seven Seattle notched in the regular season, and seven wins was enough for the Seahawks to capture the division, host a playoff game and record a memorable upset of New Orleans. For a Seahawks team without a lot of big-play punch, Washington made a big difference.”

TE Zach Miller, No. 7: “Miller, who made the AFC Pro Bowl squad in 2010, joins WR Sidney Rice as key additions to Seattle’s passing game. Miller, who has field-stretching ability, had a career-high five TD catches last season.”

OG Robert Gallery, No. 7: “Gallery, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2004 draft, signed with Seattle, whose line is coached by Tom Cable, who formerly was Gallery’s position coach and head coach. A left guard in Oakland, Gallery has never lacked for talent, and the Raiders were strong rushing off the left side (though not directly off left guard), according to NFL statistics.”

S Earl Thomas, No. 8: Thomas intercepted five passes last season for Seattle, which had to be thrilled with how he played the challenging free safety position at age 21. Thomas has blue-chip potential and could be a difference maker at his position for many years.”

OLB Aaron Curry, No. 17: no comment offered.

OT Russell Okung, No. 18: no comment offered.

TE John Carlson, No. 20: no comment offered.

DT Brandon Mebane, No. 24: no comment offered.

WR Sidney Rice, No. 25: “Given a lucrative deal by Seattle, Rice could become Seahawks slated starting QB and former Minnesota teammate Tarvaris Jackson’s go-to target. Rice was exceptional in 2009 before missing most of last season with a hip injury.”

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Tags: Earl Thomas, Free Safety, Game Winner, head coach, John Carlson, Kick Returner, Kickoffs, Leon Washington, Nfl Statistics, Passing Game, Player Rankings, playoff game, Position Coach, Preview Magazine, pro bowl, Safety Position, Season Preview, Sidney Rice, Tom Cable, Zach Miller