At halftime of the Seattle-New York tilt, the defending league champions received their rings and also formally announced their eagerly anticipated position-locked anniversary team.
QB - Mark Rypien brought home the trophy, and Tommy Kramer won more games in pink than any other quarterback. But BERNIE KOSAR (season 1) led the inaugural Seattle squad to a finals appearance and carved up a league filled with elite defensive talent. Kosar had many opportunities with defenses keyed on the run game and made the most of them. He, Gary Clark and Ricky Sanders showed the world the efficacy of Tom Landry's offensive system.
RB - HERSCHEL WALKER (season 4) carried his squad as far as one man possibly could, coming up short in overtime in the finals. Coach Ron Meyer said, "Where would this team be without Herschel Walker? We probably wouldn't have bothered getting out of our cars in the parking lot." The defense got most of the plaudits that season but it was Walker's one-man show hauling the rock that kept Seattle in position to win.
WR1 - Gary Clark deserved strong consideration given his two tours in the PNW and penchant for playmaking. However VANCE JOHNSON (season 5) has a very strong claim to the most dominant offensive player in franchise history. A true lead receiver in every sense, Johnson moved the chains consistently via Joe Gibbs' hated curls attack, while also hauling in back-breaking bombs at key moments.
WR2 - When season 6 WR2 Mark Clayton was asked what he hoped to accomplish in Seattle, he said, "I'm just trying to be like Ricky." RICKY SANDERS (seasons 1 & 3) proved nearly uncoverable in his first tour and a credible deep bomber in his second stint with Seattle. The speedy Sanders will likely always be the standard against which all WR2s are measured by Regal Pink fans.
TE - Each season the personnel in Seattle changes but one guiding philosophy remains: "Tight Ends are extensions of the line, and are there to block." Seattle management doesn't place a high priority on speed at the position and the one time they had it, Mark Bavaro was traded for Carl Banks. Still, a few TEs have managed to make their mark. Cap Boso was a stalwart safety valve for QB Tommy Kramer, and RUSS FRANCIS (season 2) was a reluctant focal point of Marty Schottenheimer's offense. With WR2 Jerry Rice demanding the defenses' attention deep, Francis managed to move the chains whenever the sputtering Seattle offense that season was able to get a pass off.
OL - INDY OL (season 5). Bobby Humphrey grinding down the field and Ken Bell crushing dreams on kick returns was all possible thanks to this front 4.
RDE - Perhaps the most important position in Seattle's defensive scheme, the top DE spot has been manned by talents such as Leonard Marshall and Dexter Manley. But nobody else can reach the heights CHRIS DOLEMAN (season 5) scaled in terms of dominating the run game. Truly. Without Doleman, Seattle likely struggles to beat the mighty Cleveland run game even once. With him, Seattle went 3-0 against them on the way to the title.
DT - KEITH MILLARD (season 5) faced a lot of dedicated blocking schemes but Lord when he got free he was a terror. Interior play is much less of a hallmark than the edges for Seattle but Millard is easily the best.
NT - BILL PICKEL (season 4) was one half of the best pass rushing combo in Seattle history. Charged with clogging up the interior on most plays, when Pickel was able to pin his ears back he brought heat faster on playpicks than anyone ever has in the PNW.
LDE - Charles Mann was as good in season 2 as he's been in season 6, but HOWIE LONG (season 4) was unmatched at his position as both a key defender and a dedicated pass rusher.
ROLB - CARL BANKS (season 4) was the trade that launched 1,000 salty tears in the Tecmo Bowl Draft League. Fair or no (obviously fair) once Banks was in Seattle he delivered a performance for the ages, dominating in both coverage and run defense. Probably the single best defender the Regal Pink has ever had.
MLB - Interior linebackers often occupy the role of furniture in the Seattle defensive game. EUGENE LOCKHART (season 5) was the rare exception, providing a strong pass rush on blitzes and very capable coverage against shotgun formations that allowed the killer defensive line to concentrate on getting to the quarterback.
LOLB - DUANE BICKETT (season 1) was drafted to anchor the bottom half of the defense and to threaten opposing field goal kickers to stay off the field. In both endeavors he was largely successful, overshadowed only by Ronnie Lott on a dangerous inaugural defensive unit.
FS - RONNIE LOTT (seasons 1 & 2) is the most versatile defender in team history. An epic special teams gunner, the key defender in season 1, and a mega-drone in season 2, Lott did it all.
SS - Traditionally not a position emphasized by the Seattle front office, season 3's DENNIS SMITH was pressed into service often to try to relieve the pressure on star linebacker Wilber Marshall. Handicapped by a critical lack of defensive speed and an offense that couldn't stop turning the ball over, season 3's 9 is the worst the PNW has seen. Yet, Smith did manage to give a decent accounting of himself as a playmaker.
P - SEAN LANDETA (season 1) not much to say here. In a super-talented league, Landeta's leg played a huge role in giving Seattle's defense strong field position.
K - JESS ATKINSON (season 4) is one of the few kickers ever expected to go out and win a game, which he did in a critical come from behind win over hated Miami.
KR - KEN BELL (season 5) is unquestionably the greatest return man in team history, taking 5 kicks to the house. This included 2 in a win against Cleveland, which coach Joe Gibbs later said saved the season, and 1 with no time on the clock at the half in the championship game.
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