Free safety Earl Thomas drops by the set of “NFL Total Access” to talk about NFC West rivalries and which club has the best secondary in the League

Good morning, and here’s what’s “out there” for today, Wednesday, June 19, about your Seattle Seahawks:

Free safety Earl Thomas joined NFL.com’s Dave Dameshek Football Program. Dameshek’s segment with Thomas begins at the 22-minute mark of the podcast below:

Download: thomaspodcast.mp3

NFC West blogger Mike Sando of ESPN.com looks at the percentages of 2012 game snaps remaining on the Seahawks’ 90-man roster. According to Sando, the team’s current roster logged 87.4 percent of offensive and defensive snaps last season – the highest percentage in the division, reflecting a high player-retention rate year-over-year. The team has come a long way since those 284 roster transactions head coach Pete Carroll and general manager John Schneider made during their first year together in 2010.

Sando also passes along notes from ESPN’s fantasy football comparison of Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas and Seahawks wideout Percy Harvin.

Wide receiver Doug Baldwin joined Sports Radio 950 KJR AM for a conversation with Dave “Softy” Mahler yesterday afternoon, the podcast of which can be found below:

Download: softy_2013-06-18_doug_baldwin_1371601709_1151.mp3

Danny O’Neil of 710Sports.com discusses the 2013 outlook for quarterback Russell Wilson.

Here at Seahawks.com, team president Peter McLoughlin is seeking 12 season ticket holders to join his new Fan Advisory Council to assist the club in the overall 12th Man experience. If you meet the requirements, feel free to apply here. All applications are due by July 12.

Clare Farnsworth’s Tuesday feature reacquainted us with 2012 fifth-round draft pick Korey Toomer, the uber-athletic linebacker out of the University of Idaho who spent his rookie season on the practice squad before moving to injured reserve after having shoulder surgery early in the year. Toomer has worked at strong-side linebacker with the No. 2 and No. 3 defenses during the team’s nine sessions of Organized Team Activties (OTAs) this spring, as well as during last week’s three-day minicamp, and will look to factor in at the position come training camp in late July.

Wide receiver Golden Tate showed up for the fourth time on NFL AM’s countdown of the Top 100 Plays of 2012, when his 32-yard grab from quarterback Russell Wilson in Week 10 against the Miami Dolphins was highlighted at No. 34 on the list. Of the 67 plays unveiled to this point, the Seahawks are featured in eight of them.

And USA Football will host a Heads Up Football Player Safety Coaches clinic this Saturday at Virginia Mason Athletic Center, where master trainer Tom Bainter – head coach at Bothell High School – will educate more than 70 Seattle-area coaches.

In an effort to enhance player safety and establish a better game experience for youth, high school and amateur-level programs, USA Football will host a Heads Up Football Player Safety Coaches clinic on Saturday, June 22, at Virginia Mason Athletic Center.

More than 70 Player Safety Coaches representing leagues throughout the state will converge on the Seahawks’ training facility in Renton, Wash. to receive instruction from Heads Up Football master trainer Tom Bainter – the head football coach at Bothell High School. Bainter will offer tips on Heads Up tackling technique, concussion recognition and response, and proper use and fitting of football equipment.

The Player Safety Coaches in attendance will then pass on what they learn to their respective league coaches, players, and parents, and will monitor practices and games to ensure standards are met throughout the season.

After spending his rookie season watching and waiting following shoulder surgery, linebacker Korey Toomer is back and ready to show the coaches he can contribute by using his speed and athleticism.

A look at some memorable moments in Seahawks history that occurred on June 18:

1985: The Seahawks and Northwest University agree to a long-term lease for the team’s new practice facility and headquarters in Kirkland. The 36,000-square foot complex will be built on 12 acres adjacent to the school.

1986: The Seahawks move into their new headquarters in Kirkland, which was built on land being leased from Northwest University. The team had been headquartered on the shores of Lake Washington in Kirkland since its inaugural season in 1976.

Team plans to elevate role of the 12th MAN® even more

Earl Thomas appeared on the NFL Network’s NFL AM today, and the Seahawks’ All-Pro free safety gave his take on several topics.

On the feeling he has coming out of OTAs and minicamp:

“Confidence. The biggest thing around the locker room (is) we haven’t (forgotten) what happened in Atlanta. Guys are very motivated and this is definitely my best offseason that I’ve had so I’m really excited and looking forward to the season.”

On the importance of having chemistry in the secondary:

“We spend a lot of time with each other, we know each other and when you have that off-field relationship, on the field it’s just like we know what each other is going to do. The communication is great and when the communication is great with a secondary, we’re going to be hard to beat.”

On the addition of cornerback Antoine Winfield:

“Very smart, crafty. Been in the league a long time … He’s a great tackler and I’ve learned a lot from him just from the short amount of time I’ve been around him. He’s a great teammate and I’m glad he’s our new addition.”

On when he expects defensive end Chris Clemons to return:

“I really couldn’t tell you the timetable but I definitely want him on the field as soon as possible. Me being back there as a free safety, you want that pass rush. We have a lot of great guys that have been added to the team but we’re definitely going to miss Clem and we definitely want him back as soon as possible.”

On the Seahawks-49ers rivalry:

“When you talk about being a competitor in this league, you always want to play teams that are considered the best. The 49ers are just like us; they run the ball, very physical. When we play those guys, we know it’s going to be a blue collar mentality game and they’re similar to us. I’m looking forward to it and when you compete, we think we’re going to win every game we’re in. We’re definitely looking forward to the matchup.”

On if he believes offenses are going to be as successful running the Pistol and read-option this upcoming season:

Our offense will be successful (laughing). But like you said, defenses do catch up. During the offseason, we’ve been game-planning, putting ourselves in different situations and you learn from those situations. Definitely when you’re talking about the Pistol, I think it’s just assignment football. When you know what you have and there are no grey areas in a defense, I think you’ll be fine.”

On wide receiver Percy Harvin:

“Speed kills. He’s very fast; we can use him in a lot of different ways – slot, outside, running back. When you talk about him, Marshawn (Lynch) and Russell Wilson in the backfield at the same time, that’s scary.”

On who is faster, himself or Percy Harvin:

“I’m going to always go with myself.”

Free safety Earl Thomas stops by the set of NFL Network to discuss how he and the club are gearing up for the new season

Good morning, and here’s what’s “out there” for today, Tuesday, June 18, about your Seattle Seahawks:

Danny O’Neil of 710 Sports.com called free safety Earl Thomas Seattle’s best player in his most recent column, which sparked a spirited roundtable-discussion between O’Neil, Brock Huard and ESPN’s John Clayton and Mike Sando on “Brock and Danny” – the audio of which can be found below:

Download: brockndanny.mp3

Sando has a look around the rest of the NFC West.

ESPN.com’s Jeffri Chadiha says quarterback Russell Wilson faces new pressure in his second season, as he comes to find out what life is like as a “burgeoning superstar.”

Our Clare Farnsworth breaks down ProFootballTalk.com’s exercise in selecting the four heads to represent the club on a Seahawks-themed Mt. Rushmore. Wide receiver Steve Largent, defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy, left tackle Walter Jones, and running back Shaun Alexander are highlighted on their list.

Wide receiver Charly Martin is full-go at the NFL Broadcasting Boot Camp at NFL Films headquarters in Mt. Laurel, N.J.

And fourth-year Sea Gal Laura, a fellow graduate of Washington State University (Go Cougs), takes some time to introduce us to the 2013 Sea Gals squad.

Thanks to the @SFGiants for this sweet jersey!! #GoGiants http://t.co/yOkrpSWIMB—
Pete Carroll (@PeteCarroll) June 10, 2013

Pete Carroll has worked and lived in Southern California and now Seattle, not to mention Arkansas, Iowa, Ohio, North Carolina, Buffalo, Minnesota, New York and New England during a 30-something-year coaching career that has taken him from college to the NFL, back to college and back to the NFL.

But the Seahawks’ fourth-year coach will forever be a Bay Area boy.

Carroll was born in San Francisco. He grew up in Marin County and went to Redwood High School in Larkspur, Calif. He played football at the University of Pacific in Stockton.

The San Francisco Giants have honored Carroll by presenting him with a jersey. It not only has his name across the back, the number is 12 – for the Seahawks’ 12^th Man fans.

Monday metatarsal musings: Finding a fourth Seahawk to join Steve Largent, Cortez Kennedy and Walter Jones on the franchise’s Mt. Rushmore depends on who you ask, but Matt Hasselbeck and Shaun Alexander are good places to start.

The Seahawks may be on a five-week, pre-training camp pseudo-vacation after wrapping up their official Offseason Program last week, but wide receiver Charly Martin isn’t taking a break from the regimented schedules just yet.

The Walla Walla, Wash. born Martin, who earned a degree in mass communications/broadcasting from West Texas A&M, is one of 24 current and former NFL players taking part in the seventh annual NFL Broadcast Boot Camp, set to run June 17-20 at NFL Films headquarters in Mt. Laurel, N.J.

“The NFL does a good job of putting on different programs where you can start looking to better yourself off the field and preparing yourself for life after football,” Martin said following last week’s minicamp. “I’m looking forward to going out there and gaining knowledge from some of the top professionals in that business, really networking and making connections, and seeing if it’s something I want to do when I’m done playing.”

Martin will get hands-on work in tape study, editing, television and radio production, control room operation, studio preparation, field reporting and game preparation. He’ll work alongside representatives from each of the League’s broadcast partners – CBS, ESPN, FOX, NBC, NFL Network, SiriusXM, and Dial Global Radio – who combined hold more than 400 years of broadcast experience, including CBS’ James Brown, FOX’s Kenny Albert, ESPN’s Ron Jaworski and former NFL coach Dick Vermeil. Martin will serve as a live guest host on NFL Radio and will have an opportunity to tape segments as a studio and game analyst, much like current teammate fullback Michael Robinson did at last year’s camp.

“He gave me some pointers,” Martin said of Robinson. “From what I understand we’re going to put in some work. They’re going to be some long days, but it’ll be beneficial and I’m just excited to delve into that area and see what it’s like.”

While Martin did pen some guest-columns for the Amarillo Globe-News during his playing days at West Texas A&M, he said he’s not yet quite sure which side of the business he wants to jump into after football. He’ll use this week’s camp to test the waters in all areas.

“I’ve always put 110 percent into football and living in this moment and handling my business here,” said Martin. “But obviously, I went to school for it and I enjoyed it. We’ll see where it takes me.”

A look at some memorable moments in Seahawks history that occurred on June 17:

1975: The nickname “Seahawks” is selected for Seattle’s NFL team that will begin playing in the 1976 season. “Seahawks” was selected from 20,365 entries, which included 1,741 different names.

1997: Washington state voters pass Referendum 48 that approves funds for a new stadium for the Seahawks, a move necessary for Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen to complete his purchase of the franchise from Ken Behring. The Referendum got 51.1 percent of the votes (820,354) statewide, including 56.4 percent (275,358) in King County.

Seahawks insider Tony Ventrella talks with two of the newest members of the Seahawks, Luke Willson from Canada and Jesse Williams from Australia.

Good morning, and I hope everyone had a good Father’s Day weekend. Here’s what’s “out there” for today, Monday, June 17, about your Seattle Seahawks:

Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times has a position-by-position breakdown of where the Seahawks stand heading into training camp, offering his own comfort level (on a scale of one to 10) on how comfortable fans should feel with each group.

Dave Boling of the Tacoma News Tribune profiles former Seahawks owner John Nordstrom, which provides some very interesting background on the start of the franchise.

Danny O’Neil of 710Sports.com has a look at three things we learned and three things we’re still trying to figure out now that the Seahawks have wrapped up Organized Team Activities (OTAs) and minicamp workouts. O’Neil also says free safety Earl Thomas might be “the best player” on the team.

Brent Stecker of 710Sports.com recaps cornerback Richard Sherman’s weekend appearance on The John Clayton Show. You can listen to the podcast of Sherman with Clayton here:

Download: shermclayton.mp3

Curtis Crabtree, writing for the Associated Press, details how third-round draft pick Jordan Hill and fifth-round draft pick Jesse Williams are fitting in along Seattle’s defensive line.

NFC West blogger Mike Sando of ESPN.com has a closer look at what might happen if the Seahawks need to make a switch to their backup quarterback – Tarvaris Jackson or Brady Quinn. Sando also has his NFC West-chat transcript from Friday here.

You, the readers of Seahawks.com, voted former quarterback Matt Hasselbeck as the fourth head on a Seahawks-themed Mount Rushmore, as he joined consensus mountain-locks Steve Largent, Cortez Kennedy and Walter Jones. It was an exercise precluding one over at ProFootballTalk.com, where former running back Shaun Alexander recently beat out Hasselbeck, Mike Holmgren and the 12th Man as the mountain’s fourth face in their “Faces of the Franchise” feature.

On Father’s Day, Earl Thomas III, Golden Tate III, Walter Thurmond III and Percy Harvin III are honoring and remembering those who had their names before they did.