Tag Archives: Seattle Seahawks

NFL

Stanback, Isaiah

Card: Topps 2007 Exclusive
Acquired: 2012, Canton Acquisition

Isiah Stanback was a multidimensional athlete for the Washington Huskies during his time there from 2002-2006. He’d play at wide receiver and then primarily at quarterback for the team, racking up 3,868 yards and 22 touchdowns in 22 starts. He’d also rush for 794 yards and 11 touchdowns while pulling in 12 receptions for 146 yards. In the off-season Isiah made an impact as a track man, and while he’d find his name etched into the top 5 of the school’s recordbooks for many categories, it’d be Stanback’s speed that intrigued scouts the most.

Scouts pegged Isaiah as a wide receiver, and the Cowboys pulled the trigger on him with their 4th round selection of the 2007 draft and spent nearly his entire rookie season on the practice squad. After recording 2 receptions for 24 yards the next year, he’d be placed on injured reserve with a bum shoulder. Cut in 2009, Isaiah has been on the practice squads of New England (2009), Seattle (2010-2011), and the Giants (2011-2012).

NFL

Williams, John L.

sky93-94 jl williamsCards: 1993-1994 Skybox Colors, Skybox 1992, ProSet 1989, Fleer 1990
Acquired: 2014 TTM, C/o Home
Sent:  3/9     Received: 4/11    (31 days)
Failure: 2013, C/o Home

Recruited by future NFL head coach Mike Shannahan to play tailback at Florida in 1981- Shanahan was enamored with John L. Williams talent remarking at one point, “He can do it all.” The Gators were stacked at runningback though, with future NFLers Lorenzo Hampton and Neal Anderson already seeing touches in the backfield, so Williams, who wanted to start in some capacity, demonstrated soft hands and solid blocking and moved to fullback. After splitting time with future NFLer James Jones, Williams became the fulltime starter at fullback in his Sophomore year. Over his career at Florida, John L. piled up over 2,400 yards rushing and at the time a school record 92 receptions out of the backfield.

Because of the lack of respect given to the fullback position and not sky92 jl williamspiling up eye-popping numbers for the Gators, Williams was not considered first round talent. John L. though wowed scouts as a combine wonder and shot up draft boards as a highly sought after once in a lifetime fullback, beating out names in individual drills such as Bo Jackson and finishing second to only Neal Anderson in the 40 yard dash. With teams aggressively positioning to grab Williams, the Seahawks approached the podium and took John L. with the 15th pick of the first round in the 1985 draft.

Stepping into the Seahawks backfield, Williams helped alleviate the pressure off of tailback Curt Warner and provided a nice safety valve for quarterback Dave Kreig in the ‘Ground Chuck’ offense. Seattle was finally able to turn the corner and make the playoffs.  Williams rushed for a career high 877 yards and 4 TDs in 1988 as part of the Seahawks’ diversified rushing attack. An intergral part of the Seahawks offense, John L. led the NFL in receptions from the backfield with 76 in 1989, and his 58 catches in 1988 were the first time anybody ever led the team in receptions other than Steve Largent since the franchise had been founded.

With Warner departing to the LA Rams in 1990, and both Krieg andflr90 jl williams future HoF receiver Largent both in the twilight of their Seattle careers, Williams was leaned on heavily by the team. He’d finish with a career high 699 yards receiving in 1990, and back to back 700+ yards rushing season in 1990 and 1991. The Seahawks went through a coaching change in 1992 bringing in Head Coach Tom Flores and Offensive Coordinator Larry Kennan. Out was the ‘Ground Chuck’ style offense, and in was a more West Coast oriented approach. While Williams saw less time rushing the ball, he still was an important part of the passing game, especially as the team was crumbling offensively due to lack of star power beyond Williams and Brian Blades. At quarterback the team struggled mightily with Dan McGwire, Rick Mirer, and Stan Gelbaugh all taking snaps.

John L. was mercifully allowed to depart via free agency in 1994 to the Pittsbugh Steelers and replaced the venerable Meril Hoge at fullback.  There he enjoyed his final two seasons playing for the black and gold, culminating in his first and only SuperBowl appearance (SuperBowl XXX) at the conclusion of the 1995 season. pset89 jl williamsHe’d retire after the season citing the wear and tear on his body. His 546 receptions, was the second highest total recorded at the time, by a runnningback/ fullback, behind only Roger Craig.  Over his career he earned two Pro Bowl nods for the 1990 and 1991 seasons.

Afterwards John L. returned back to his homestate of Florida. He owned a nightclub for a while then dabbled in coaching briefly with former teammate Kerwin Bell at the High School level. He’s also been named one of the Gator Greats and inducted into his Alma Mater’s HoF.  He’s remembered well by the Seahawk faithful, and Williams in turn returned in 2008 to raise the 12th Man Flag in Seattle.  Like many great players before him, I can only envision John L. in his Seahawk threads, and typically eschew his final days in Pittsburgh. Williams is featured in all 3 Tecmo Bowl games, oddly appearing as a tight end in the original release. In the future installments, he’s a popcorn back along the lines of Leroy Hoard.

 

G/Gs  149/133   Rush 1245   Yds 5006   Avg 4.0   Td 18   Lg 48   |
Rec 546   Yds 4656   Avg 8.5   Td 19  Lg 75t

NFL

Alexander, Shaun “The Great”

tnt13g salexanderCards: Top Notch Signature Select 2013
Acquired: TTM 2014, C/o CAA
Sent: 12/19    Received: 4/24   (120 days)

Shaun finished as the Alabama’s greatest runningback, smashing the career yardage (3,726 yards) record for the Tide, and single game mark with 295 yards, but his 26 touchdowns also set an SEC single season mark in 1999. In all he held 15 school rushing related records.  An all-around well rounded back, Alexander could do it all, and is as comfortable running between the tackles as he was pp00 salexandercutting back to the outside.

Drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the 2000 draft, Alexander sat behind Ricky Watters his rookie year. In 2001 after becoming a fulltime starter, Alexander set the franchise’s single game mark with 266 yards rushing against the Oakland Raiders. He’d go on to be the NFL’s leading rusher in 2005 with 1,880 yards, and break the NFL record (previously held by Priest Holmes) garnering 27 rushing touchdowns, earning Shaun the NFL’s MVP award. A two time All Pro and a member of the NFL’s All 2000’s team, Alexander also holds the pp00 salexander bcareer rushing mark for the Seahawks.  By 2007 injuries had begun to catch up to Shaun, and he was cut in April of 2008. Alexander set to rejuvenate his career with the Washington Redskins, but lasted only 4 games with the franchise. While teams had expressed some interest in him, and he remains in peak physical conditioning, for all points and purposes in 2014, Shaun is retired. He finished only 600 yards short of 10,000 and with an impressive 112 TDs in 123 games.

Shaun has written an autobiographical book about his life and is very involved with CAA. He wrote me a fun note on the back of my envelope encouraging me to taunt some of my friends with his autographed card. He also included a bible verse on the card from Psalms 37:7

“Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.”

Of note, Shaun has appeared on the cover of both NCAA 2001, and Madden 2008. By the time that Alexander had taken the cover of the game, the Madden Curse was already front page news. -He broke his foot promptly in Week 3 of the 2008 season.

G/Gs 123/96    Rush 2187    Yds 9453     Avg 4.3        Td  100      Lg 88  |
Rec 215     Yds  1520     Avg 7.1       Td 12       Lg 80