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Countdown to Kickoff: Profile on Seattle Seahawks No. 29 Earl Thomas

By Russell S. Baxter

Jan 3, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas (29) reacts alongside head coach Pete Carroll against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 3, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks safety Earl Thomas (29) reacts alongside head coach Pete Carroll against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Countdown to Kickoff series continues on with a profile on Seattle Seahawks superstar free safety Earl Thomas.

There are exactly 29 days until the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers open up the 2016 NFL regular season with a Super Bowl rematch. In the meantime, we at NFL Spin Zone are going to profile a player each day as we countdown the days to kickoff.

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We began by previewing the rookie defensive end of the San Diego Chargers in Joey Boss (No. 99) almost two months ago. On Tuesday, it was Los Angeles Rams second-year running back Todd Gurley.

Jun 15, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas (29) moves between drills during minicamp at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 15, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas (29) moves between drills during minicamp at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports /

Be it the past or present, No. 29 has its share of prominent names. That includes Pro Football Hall of Famers in running back Eric Dickerson and safety Ken Houston.

These days, there’s Kansas City Chiefs star safety Eric Berry, Baltimore Ravens running back Justin Forsett, Denver Broncos cornerback Bradley Roby, Houston Texans free safety Andre Hal and Indianapolis Colts strong safety Mike Adams.

There’s also running backs such as DeMarco Murray (Tennessee Titans), LeGarrette Blount (New England Patriots) and Bilal Powell (New York Jets), as well as Oakland Raiders cornerback David Amerson.

Here we will take a look at Seattle Seahawks free safety Earl Thomas. The 14th overall pick in the 2010 NFL draft from the University of Texas has started every game in his six seasons and has been named to the last five Pro Bowls. He’s totaled 21 interceptions, 10 forced fumbles and four fumble recoveries in his brief career.

The 27-year-old pro is the leader of arguably the most feared defensive unit in the league. The Seahawks have allowed the fewest points in the NFL four consecutive years. That’s something that hasn’t been done since the Cleveland Browns turned the trick five straight seasons from 1953-57.

Jayson Jenks of the Seattle Times had this observation about Thomas during training camp on August 9. It was far from surprising.

“He flies to the ball. He is so decisive, and when he makes up his mind, he doesn’t hesitate. He just goes. There was one play in the flat, a quick pass, and Thomas read it, reacted and arrived around the same time as the ball. In other words: He looked just like you’d expect Earl Thomas to look.”

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That’s good news for Pete Carroll’s talented club and continued bad news for Seattle opponents. Thomas is one of the best players at his position in the league and a major reason the Seahawks have been so incredibly consistent on this side of the football.

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