Scott Johnson of the Everett Herald checks in with Cortez Kennedy, the Seahawks’ Hall of Fame defensive tackle who was in town on Wednesday: “Kennedy will become the first Hall of Famer, in any of the major team sports, to be drafted by a Seattle team and spend his entire career there. ‘I’m always a Seattle guy,’ he said Wednesday, four days after his name was announced among the members of the Hall of Fame’s Class of 2012. ‘I love Seattle, and I love the fans. And that will never change.’ “

Here at Seahawks.com, we’ve also got a closer look at Kennedy, including his response to the question about whether his Hall of Fame-worthy career would have been complete even without the recognition to match: “You know something? We don’t have to talk about that anymore,” he said, punctuating the statement with one of his rumbling laughs that were as much his trademark as the body-slam tackles he cranked out during his 11 seasons with the Seahawks. “I’m a Hall of Famer now. So we don’t ever have to talk about that again. It’s done. It’s over with. Like the ‘Big Show’ Holmgren says, ‘It’s done. It’s over with. Forget it.’ I don’t want to hear it no more.”

We also check in with leading receiver Doug Baldwin, who has become a fixture at Virginia Mason Athletic Center since his rookie season ended: “The Seahawks’ 2011 season ended the day after their overtime loss to the Cardinals in Arizona on New Year’s Day. The team’s 2012 offseason conditioning program doesn’t start until April 16, almost a month later than in previous years because of the new CBA that came into effect following the 136-day lockout that erased the offseason last year. But you would never know it by watching Baldwin go through his almost-daily routine at Virginia Mason Athletic Center. And everything must be done on his own, another stipulation in the new offseason rules governing teams and their players. ‘I have lots to improve on, lots that I can learn,’ Baldwin said. ‘I know I can do so much more, in terms of my assignments and catching every ball that’s thrown to me. So I have lots to do and I’m anxious to get it done.’ ”

Dave Boling at the News Tribune weighs in on the speculation about Peyton Manning and whether the Seahawks should pursue him if/when the Colts part ways with their iconic QB: “The Seahawks have the need for a quarterback and the available salary-cap room to make a serious run at Manning. But should they? His health is in question, and for a team in the process of rebuilding and apparently on the rise, the ideal situation would be to find a young talent who could grow with the team for the long haul. But this is Peyton Manning, and the chance to get him – if healthy – should trump other options being studied. Risk? Oh, heck yes. He might never get out of training camp. Hey, realistically, everybody who plays in the NFL is one bad hit from retirement. But a soon-to-be 36-year-old quarterback who has had three neck surgeries in 19 months?”

Joe Theismann has a completely opposite view on the situation, and Dan Hanzus at NFL.com passes along the thoughts of the former NFL QB with regards to the Redskins pursuing Manning: “It’s not a good idea, it’s not a bad idea – its’ a horrific idea,” Theismann, now an NFL Network analyst, told a radio station on in Washington last week. “It would be one of the poorest things that we could do as a franchise. Are we gonna go find another guy for just a couple of years again? Haven’t we done this before? Haven’t we seen this act before? And by the way, if you get Peyton Manning, don’t you have a concern about protecting him? Don’t you have a concern about who he throws the football to?”

Chris Burke at SI.com ranks the network broadcast crews, and his top pick might surprise you: “Brad Nessler and Mike Mayock, NFL Network: Because the NFL’s Thursday night slate didn’t start until Week 10, this pairing only worked together a handful of times. But man, were they good. Nessler is energetic without being overly excitable, saving his best calls for the moments that necessitate them. His demeanor turned out to be the perfect match for Mayock, who was so good that SI’s Richard Deitsch named him the “Person of the Year” in his annual Media Awards. Not only does Mayock sound extremely prepared each game, but he takes that knowledge and easily translates it to the viewer. Thanks to the duo’s talents and the relatively weak slate of Thursday games this year, by season’s end people were tuning into the NFL Network’s broadcasts as much for the announcing as the games.”

Mike Sando at ESPN.com takes a look at the Seahawks who are scheduled to become free agents: “The Seahawks’ top priorities in free agency appear clear, at least when it comes to their own players. Re-sign running back Marshawn Lynch and defensive end Red Bryant.”

Sando also has a NFC West “Draft Primer,” and has this to say about the Seahawks: “Finding a long-term quarterback remains the top priority for the Seahawks, but once again the planets appear reluctant to align for them. Parting with Matt Hasselbeck and passing over Andy Dalton have left Seattle with Tarvaris Jackson and developmental quarterback Josh Portis. Chasing after Peyton Manning could make sense for the Seahawks. They have good young players. Adding a front-line quarterback could put them over the top in the division. Linebacker has replaced the offensive line as a primary need for the Seahawks. That should not be the case, in theory, because the team had so much invested in a couple of relatively young linebackers. Aaron Curry and Lofa Tatupu are gone, however, and David Hawthorne is a free agent. The team could move K.J. Wright into the middle.”

Former NFL executive Jeff Diamond at SI.com takes a look at both in this offseason assessment of the Seahawks: “Team Needs: QB, T, DE. The Seahawks want to find a potential elite QB to replace Tarvaris Jackson, but they’re in a tough spot. Picking at 11 or 12 in the first round, it’s too far to trade up for one of the top two. Perhaps they can get a shot at Ryan Tannehill, the third-ranked QB. In free agency, they would have interest in Matt Flynn, but Miami (with Joe Philbin) has a leg up unless the Dolphins can sign Peyton. The Seahawks also must improve their pass protection after giving up 50 sacks, so they will draft offensive linemen in the early rounds. A better possibility in the first round is a pass-rushing DE to play opposite Chris Clemons (such as Melvin Ingram of South Carolina or perhaps a trade up for Quinton Coples). The Seahawks also should seek a vet WR from the strong free agent class. And they may have to franchise Marshawn Lynch after his strong season (1,204 rushing yards, 12 TDs).”

Rob Rang of NFLDraftScout.com has a new mock draft at CBSSports.com, but a familiar pick for the Seahawks: “Devon Still, DT, Penn State. Many expect the Seahawks to consider a quarterback to compete with incumbent starter Tarvaris Jackson with this selection but in beating the New York Giants and Baltimore Ravens last year, and matching up well with division champion San Francisco, the club may not be willing to reach to fill a perceived need. Don’t be surprised if Seattle instead turns its attention to a bounty of talented defensive linemen likely to be selected in the top 15. Still, a 6-4, 310-pound defensive tackle, showed his talent and despite all of the distractions in Happy Valley last year, was the Big Ten’s Defensive Player of the Year. Still could help inside at defensive tackle as well as provide the Seahawks with some flexibility at the five technique defensive end position should incumbent starter Red Bryant be heavily pursued in free agency.”

Whatever happened to Randall Morris? We catch up with the former running back here at Seahawks.com: “Morris, 49, owns Final Clean, a company that prepares just-constructed buildings so the tenants can move in. ‘I never left the Seattle area,’ he said. ‘I’m from Long Beach, Calif., and I didn’t want to raise my family down there. This is a much nicer place.’ ”

We also have a look in photos of the Top 10 moments from the 2011 season, as well as a video report of Walter Thurmond, Kris Durham, John Moffitt, Matt McCoy, Jameson Konz and Brandon Mebane delivering “baskets of hope” at Children’s Hospital.

A look at a memorable moment in Seahawks history that occurred on Feb. 8:

2004: Shaun Alexander runs for 66 yards and two touchdowns and also scores on a 5-yard reception to help the NFC take a wild 55-52 victory in the Pro Bowl. Matt Hasselbeck (4 of 9 for 51 yards), Alex Bannister (one special teams tackle), Steve Hutchinson and Walter Jones also represent the Seahawks in the game.

A look at the memorable moments in Seahawks history that occurred on Feb. 7:

1988: Kenny Easley and Fredd Young provide half the AFC’s four interceptions, as well as eight and seven tackles, in 15-6 victory in the Pro Bowl. Steve Largent (one reception) and Jacob Green (two tackles) also were on the AFC squad.

1993: Cortez Kennedy and Eugene Robinson combine for nine tackles to help the AFC win the Pro Bowl 23-20 in overtime.

1999: Cortez Kennedy and the “strong side, left side” trio of Michael Sinclair, Chad Brown and Shawn Springs combine for five tackles and three passes defensed to help the AFC claim a 23-10 Pro Bowl victory in what is John Elway’s final game.

2003: Teryl Austin is named defensive backs coach on Mike Holmgren’s staff.

While answering questions from his ESPN.com mailbag, NFC West blogger Mike Sando shares his thoughts on Cortez Kennedy’s selection to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday: “The Mount Rushmore of Seahawks history would include Steve Largent, Kenny Easley, Kennedy and Walter Jones, in my view. Shaun Alexander deserves consideration as well, but I think those other guys were the elite of the elite in the pure ability to dominate their opponents. Easley, Kennedy and Jones played extremely physical positions, too, so their dominance was a cut above simply by the nature of their jobs. I tend to favor candidates who flat-out dominated even when two or three opponents at a time matched up against them. Kennedy fit that criteria. Kennedy’s candidacy suffered some from the Seahawks’ struggles during the 1990s. The team kept hiring offensive-minded head coaches in an effort to fix that side of the ball, going from Chuck Knox to Tom Flores to Dennis Erickson to Mike Holmgren during Kennedy’s tenure. Holmgren’s arrival in 1999 led to an 8-2 start and playoff appearance that season. Kennedy had 6.5 sacks and two interceptions that year, with three of those sacks during Holmgren’s return to Green Bay on the Monday night stage. Overall, Kennedy appeared in prime time only five times during his career. For that reason, many of the selectors rarely saw him play. One key to Kennedy’s enshrinement was making sure the selectors had the relevant facts and testimonials before them. Presenting Kennedy was straightforward. His credentials made it so.”

Here at Seahawks.com, we check in with Steve Largent, the Seahawks’ original Hall of Famer, for his thoughts on Cortez Kennedy joining him in the Pro Football Hall of Fame: “I think entering the Hall of Fame does change your life,” Largent said, before quickly adding, “Not in respect to priorities or anything like that. But just in terms of externally, you’re on a higher profile as a player. And also, you realize you’re joining a very limited and unique club of people and that there is a camaraderie you have with those men that really goes beyond anything I’ve ever been involved in before.”

We also take another look at the Seahawks’ Week 5 victory over the Giants in our “Monday metatarsal musings” after they won the Super Bowl on Sunday. Says veteran cornerback Marcus Trufant: “It was just one of those things that shows during the season it’s not about one game, you’ve got to put a whole season together. Sure, we beat them earlier in the season. But they put together a run and they just kept making it happen. So it’s not about one game during the season. It’s about putting all the games together and coming away with a good season.”

Had enough Super Bowl coverage? Hope not, because here’s Peter King’s “Monday Morning Quarterback” (Yes, it’s Tuesday, but this wasn’t posted when we went surfing Monday morning).

Marshawn Lynch Flips into the End Zone (Seahawks vs. Atlanta, October 2, 2011).

Marshawn Lynch decided to "flip" himself into the end zone at the end of an 11-yard touchdown run against the Atlanta Falcons at CenturyLink Field.

Seahawks defense forces Eli Manning to fumble (Seahawks at NY Giants, October 9, 2011)

Seattle's visit to New York resulted in one of their best victories of the season which featured Chris Clemons forcing Giants quarterback Eli Manning to fumble.

Doug Baldwin’s Crowd Silencing Touchdown (Seahawks at NY Giants, October 9, 2011)

Undrafted rookie Doug Baldwin played fearlessly against New York, and his 27-yard touchdown reception from Charlie Whitehurst with 2:37 left in the game silenced the pro-Giants crowd at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

Brandon Browner’s Pick-Six Seals the Win (Seahawks at NY Giants, October 9, 2011)

With the Seahawks trying to protect a fragile lead late in the game at the New York Giants, the defensive backfield came up big in the final minutes. An Eli Manning pass intended for Victor Cruz was tipped by Kam Chancellor and intercepted by Brandon Browner, who raced 94-yards for a game-sealing touchdown.

Chris Clemons Smiling and Sacking (Seahawks at Chicago, December 18, 2012)

Chris Clemons smiles as he sacks Chicago quarterback Caleb Haney during Seattle's victory at Chicago. Clemons equaled his 2010 output with 11 sacks again in 2011.

Big Red Heads to the House (Seahawks at Chicago, December 18, 2011)

Big Red Bryant does his best high step as he returns an interception to the end zone for a touchdown in the Seahawks 38-14 victory at Soldier Field.

“Feetball” (Seahawks vs. San Francisco, December 24, 2011)

Seattle's Marshawn Lynch reaches the ball into the end zone amid a sea of feet for a touchdown during the divisional battle with the San Francisco 49ers on Christmas Eve at CenturyLink Field.

Heath Farwell’s Blocked Punt (Seahawks vs. San Francisco, December 24, 2011).

Heath Farwell joined the Seahawks during the 2011 season and made a huge impact on special teams. His blocked punt against San Francisco set up a touchdown by Marshawn Lynch, the first rushing touchdown the 49ers had given up all season.

D-Backs Double-Team (Seahawks at Arizona, January 1, 2012)

Cornerback Brandon Browner and safety Earl Thomas both earned Pro Bowl honors for the 2011 season, and plays like this double-team against Arizona's Larry Fitzgerald in Week 17 were part of the reason why.

Rocket Launches (Seahawks at Arizona, January 1, 2012)

Rookie Ricardo Lockette earned his way into the active roster in Week 16 and wasted no time making his mark. This juggling catch on a deep route resulted in a 61-yard touchdown against the Cardinals. His season totals? Two catches for 105 yards (52.5 ypc) and a touchdown. Expect big things from Lockette in 2012.

1983: In his first Pro Bowl, Kenny Easley has nine tackles as the Seahawks’ lone representative in a game won by the NFC 20-19 as Danny White throws a TD pass to John Jefferson with 35 seconds remaining.

1994: Eugene Robinson intercepts a pass and Chris Warren leads the AFC with 64 rushing yards, but the NFC wins the Pro Bowl 17-3. Cortez Kennedy also represents the Seahawks in the game and contributes two tackles.

1998: Pete Rodriguez agrees to become special teams coach on Dennis Erickson’s staff.

2000: Walter Jones, Cortez Kennedy (three tackles) and Chad Brown (two special teams tackles) represent the Seahawks in the Pro Bowl, but the NFC wins 51-31.

2008: It is announced that assistant head coach/defensive backs Jim Mora will become head coach after the season, which is the last of Mike Holmgren’s 10 seasons as head coach.

Scott Johnson at the Everett Herald takes a walk down memory lane in the wake of Cortez Kennedy being voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday: “And so when I first heard the news Saturday that Kennedy had finally been granted entrance to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, I put aside my journalist suit and broke into a short celebration. Anyone who got to know Kennedy over the years, even a little bit, had to be ecstatic when the Seahawks great was honored as one of the greatest to ever play the game.”

Here at Seahawks.com, we check in with Dave Wyman and Paul Moyer for their thoughts on Cortez Kennedy being voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday: “But while watching all of this unfold – and all the blocking schemes he collapsed – did those around him realize they were watching a player who would end up in the Pro Football Hall of Fame? ‘That’s a great question, because while you’re there you really don’t get that feeling much,’ Dave Wyman, who played middle linebacker during Kennedy’s first three seasons, said Saturday shortly after hearing that Kennedy had been elected to the Hall. ‘But I would say with Tez, he was one of the rare guys where you did know that he was something special. It’s the cream of the cream of the crop. I always tell the story that you’re the state shot put champion and player of the year and all these things in high school. Then you’re an All-American in college. Then when you get to the pros, you’re just kind of one of the guys because everybody is so good. But then every once in awhile there’s one guy that even in the pros is just special and ahead of everybody else. That was Tez. He was that kind of player.’ ”

Brady Henderson at mynorthwest.com passes along the audio from an interview Wyman did on 710 ESPN with John Clayton of ESPN.com and also a member of the Hall of Fame selection committee on Friday: “He wasn’t lining up in gaps. He wasn’t hiding. They were triple-teaming him,” Wyman said. “It was just amazing to watch.”

As for coverage of that game that was played on Sunday, there’s Clayton’s “Last Call” at ESPN.com; Clark Judge’s “Judgements” at CBSSports.com; and Art Thiel at sportspress northwest reminds us that the Seahawks beat the Super Bowl champion Giants in Week 5, offering: “Since the Giants are the best team in football today, and three months earlier were punched out at home by the Seahawks, it means either the Giants became really good really fast, or the difference between 6-10 and 10-6 in the NFL is the breaks on a handful of plays.”

Good morning. Here’s a special Super Bowl Sunday edition for Feb. 5 to cover everything that was written about Cortez Kennedy after he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Saturday:

Dave Boling at the News Tribune looks at the man behind the player who was the best defensive tackle of his generation, and among the best to ever play the game: “Those of us who have followed Kennedy since he arrived in 1990 have heard endlessly that ‘Tez,’ as they all called him, was a Hall of Fame teammate, a Hall of Fame guy, a Hall of Fame father, a Hall of Fame friend. He was considered larger than life as a player (which is saying a great deal given his ample girth), but at the same time may have been the most humble man on the team.”

Also at the News Tribune, Eric Williams looks at Kennedy the player – now a Hall of Fame player: “(Former center Robbie) Tobeck got a steady diet of Kennedy’s impressive athletic ability at practice during the week. ‘Even in practice, when the offensive line goes down and does one-on-one pass drills, you had to be quick to get to your set because he was so quick and explosive off the ball,’ Tobeck said. ‘He had great hands, too. I think that sometimes doesn’t get talked about a lot in line play – playing off blocks with your hands – but he certainly was good with his hands.’ ”

Danny O’Neil at the Seattle Times says the long-awaited honor left Kennedy almost speechless: “Kennedy was at his home in Orlando, Fla., when he learned of the news. He was elated. He was grateful. Mostly, he was overwhelmed. ‘I don’t know what to say,’ he said. That’s OK. His career spoke for itself. He was a defensive tackle, as thankless a job as there is in football, and he played that underappreciated position for a team that can often be overlooked in the NFL.”

Mike Sando at ESPN.com, who made Kennedy’s presentation to the selection committee, offers his thoughts on Tez and the rest of the Class of 2012: “Thirteen modern-era NFL players were finalists for enshrinement Saturday in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Only one was named offensive or defensive player of the year during his career. That was the Seattle Seahawks’ Cortez Kennedy. His eight Pro Bowls, all-1990s selection and overall dominance made my job as his presenter quite simple. State the facts and let Kennedy’s career do the talking. Picking the final five out of 15 modern-era finalists is always tough, however, because it usually requires leaving off worthy candidates.”

Here at Seahawks.com, we caught with Kennedy moments after the announcement was made and he was one happy Hall of Famer: “ ‘I thought I’d get a call,’ Kennedy said moments after taking his rightful place among the best to ever play in the National Football League. ‘I was just watching TV, like everyone else, and then they called my name. They called my name. Can you believe it? It’s unbelievable. Unbelievable. Can you believe it?’ Believe it, Tez. You are a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Kennedy was a finalist for the fourth consecutive season, and also advanced from that field of 15 to the group of 10 last year. But Saturday, when the 44-person selection committee gathered in Indianapolis, Kennedy took the final two steps. First, he emerged from the group of 10 to the final five, as did Pittsburgh Steelers center Dermontti Dawson; defensive end/linebacker Chris Doleman, who played for the Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons and San Francisco 49ers; New York Jets running back Curtis Martin; and offensive tackle Willie Roaf, who played for the New Orleans Saints and Kansas City Chiefs. But even that does not insure a berth in the Hall, because the final five also must get 80 percent approval on the final ballot. Each did, and will be joined in the six-man class by Jack Butler, a senior committee nominee who played cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1951-59.”

We’ve also got a video tribute to Tez that will help those who never saw him play understand just how good he was, and those who did see him play remember just how much fun he was to watch.

Jim Trotter at SI.com writes that for most fans the Hall of Fame attention is usually on those who didn’t make it, but he also looks ahead to the Classes of 2014 and 2015, when the next former Seahawks will be eligible: “2014 – linebacker Derrick Brooks, wideout Marvin Harrison, coaches Tony Dungy and Mike Holmgren, running back Shaun Alexander, and safety Rodney Harrison. 2015 – left tackles Walter Jones and Orlando Pace, linebacker Junior Seau, quarterback Kurt Warner, cornerback Ty Law, , and running back Edgerrin James.”

1995: Chris Warren runs for 127 yards and a touchdown as the AFC rushes for 400 yards – and averages 10 yards per carry – to win the Pro Bowl 41-13. Rick Tuten averages 40.3 yards on four punts. Cortez Kennedy (one tackle) also starts for the AFC.

2003: Ray Rhodes is named defensive coordinator on Mike Holmgren’s staff.

2006: Matt Hasselbeck passes for 273 yards and Shaun Alexander runs for 95 yards, but the Seahawks can’t overcome their own mistakes and some dubious calls by the officials in dropping a 21-10 decision to the Steelers in Super Bowl XL – the franchise’s first appearance in the NFL title game.