A look at a memorable moment in Seahawks history that occurred on Jan. 31:

1982: Steve Largent catches a 35-yard pass as the AFC wins the Pro Bowl 16-13.

Jared Ainsworth of the Beaumont Enterprise has a really nice story on how Earl Thomas’ success in the NFL has allowed his mother, Debbie, to retire: “Debbie Thomas’ final day as a receptionist for Little Cypress-Mauriceville school district was Jan 20. The family celebrated the end of Debbie’s 28-year career in education that evening at Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen in Beaumont, with about 20 of her coworkers. ‘As soon as they called my name in the draft, I knew this day was going to come,’ said Earl, a 22-year-old second-year defensive back for the Seahawks. ‘We didn’t have much and my mom and dad made it work. They’ve been changing my diapers, taking care of me all my life.’ “

Former Seahawks and current Titans QB Matt Hasselbeck analyzes the Super Bowl matchup between the Patriots and Giants for the Tennessean. His pick: Patriots 24-21. Says Hasselbeck: “It is really hard to bet against Tom Brady for me. I have a lot of respect for his game. I think he is one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game. I have respect for Eli (Manning), and for guys on both sides, but to me, Brady is going to be really tough to stop unless he is on his back the whole game.”

Speaking of former Seahawks QBs, Clarence Hill of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram catches up with Jon Kitna, who last week was named football coach at Tacoma’s Lincoln High School, his alma mater: “ ‘It’s incredible. The right door opened,’ Kitna said between services Sunday morning at Fielder Road Baptist Church, where he preached and gave a personal testimony. It was his first public appearance since informing the Cowboys of his decision to retire two weeks ago. ‘I am beyond excited,’ Kitna said. ‘It was the perfect opportunity. The coach wanted to move into the athletic director’s role and called and asked me if I was interested.’ “

Here at Seahawks.com, the Tez in 2012 campaign continues as the clock is ticking toward the selection process on Saturday for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2012. Cortez Kennedy is a finalist for the fourth consecutive year and we weigh in with a weighty profile on the most-decorated defensive player in franchise history: “ ‘I wouldn’t trade places with anybody for anything,’ Kennedy said. ‘I played for the Seahawks, and played my heart out for them. I love the Seahawks. I love the organization. I love the people there, and especially the fans. If I ever get in the Hall of Fame, it’s for all of us.’ ”

Back to the Super Bowl, there is no shortage of coverage leading up to Sunday’s game. Here’s a sampling:

The Associated Press, via Heraldnet.com, looks at the overlooked Deion Branch, the wide receiver who played for the Patriots, then was traded to the Seahawks and now is back with the Patriots: “He’s been overlooked a bit this season, with Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez grabbing most of (Tom) Brady’s passes and the headlines. ‘That’s cool,’ said Branch, who has that MVP trophy stored safely in a glass case at his home. ‘I just do my job. I can’t worry about who’s controlling it and who’s saying A, B, C, D. I just do my job I’m not here to be the one that (says), ‘Hey I need all the attention.’ That’s not me.’ “

Don Banks’ Q&A with London Fletcher at SI.com. The Redskins’ linebacker who is no stranger to the Giants or the Patriots, having played both teams this season. Q: Having played both of these teams recently, how do they match up today, knowing that New York beat New England at Gillette Stadium in Week 9? A: “I think it’s going to be a great matchup, because you think about the Giants and their pass rush being healthy now, and then you know all about the offense of the Patriots and those tight ends and their passing game. It’s going to be a great matchup between those two teams, and the thing is, both defenses are playing great right now. I think New England’s defense is playing its best ball of the year right now, and so are the Giants.”

Les Carpenter’s story at YahooSports.com about BenJarvis Green-Ellis, the Patriots’ back whose name doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue but who also never lets the ball roll from his grasp: “And now, with the world preparing to watch Super Bowl XLVI Sunday, (LSU running backs coach Frank) Wilson has an Exhibit A in the Patriots’ running back. Wilson’s former back at the University of Mississippi has never fumbled in four NFL seasons. That is a streak of 536 catches and carries, an NFL record for the start of a career, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.”

Michael Lombardi’s 46 things he loved about the NFL this season at NFL.com, where No. 39 is … Marshawn Lynch’s angry running style. Says Lombardi: “The Seahawks running back runs harder than any player in the league.”

Who needs “Dancing with the Stars”?

A highlight of just about every Seahawks practice in the just-completed season was rookie cornerback Richard Sherman bustin’ a move – or three – along the sideline. What did it look like? Think one of those air-motion windsock figures that are used to draw attention by some businesses.

Late in the season, the practice dancing spilled over to the locker room when defensive lineman Anthony Hargrove challenged Sherman to a dance-off – Brooklyn (Hargrove) vs. Compton (Sherman), if you will; or at least vet (Hargrove) vs. rookie (Sherman); or perhaps bulk (Hargrove) vs. bravado (Sherman).

The competition was captured on video by Michael Robinson and posted on the fullback’s website – RealRobReport.com. You can check it out here – the dance-off is after the report on Justin Forsett’s “shower pill.”

And who won this battle of almost-stars?

“I am definitely claiming victory,” Sherman said, moments after the dance-off – and uproarious response it ignited with teammates – had subsided. “I put a couple of things on tape that he was unable to match. He put a lot of good moves out there with the ‘wheel chair.’ He pulled out all the stops. It was an incredibly impressive effort from a 300-pounder.”

Brandon Marshall stole the Pro Bowl show on Sunday with four touchdown receptions, and the Associated Press has the details: “He was selected the game’s MVP, and his name now will join the likes of Walter Payton and Jerry Rice on the MVP banners at Aloha Stadium. ‘You know what? I wanted it,’ he said. ‘It’s a Pro Bowl. Some guys are playing 100 (percent), some guys are playing 90, some guys aren’t playing at all, but it means a lot to be up in the rafters with some of these guys.’ ”

Here at Seahawks.com, we take a closer look at the contributions of the five Seahawks who played in the game: “In a game that featured 100 points and 1,162 total yards, Marshawn Lynch managed to run for 43 yards in the NFC’s 59-41 loss to the AFC in the Pro Bowl at Honolulu’s Aloha Stadium on Sunday.”

Michael Robinson’s Pro Bowl week included a trip to Happy Valley, where the ex-Nittany Lions quarterback spoke at the memorial service for former Penn State coach Joe Paterno, and the Associated Press caught up with the Seahawks’ fullback after practice on Saturday: “Robinson arrived in the islands Tuesday only to fly out after the next day’s Pro Bowl practice to speak at the memorial services of his college coach, Joe Paterno. He then returned to Honolulu on Friday night on Nike founder and CEO Phil Knight’s jet. ‘Besides my religion and my mom, coach Paterno is the reason I’m here,’ Robinson said after practice Saturday.
Bucky Brooks at NFL.com has his second mock draft, and has the Seahawks selecting North Carolina’s Zach Brown: “This pick certainly stands out as a surprise, considering Boston College’s Luke Kuechly is a more accomplished player, but Brown’s speed and athleticism drew rave reviews at the Senior Bowl. He would upgrade the explosiveness of the Seahawks’ linebacker corps.”

Speaking of the Senior Bowl, Tom Pauline at SI.com has his risers and sliders from Saturday’s all-star game, including Washington defensive tackle Alameda Ta’amu: “If scouts were hoping to be wowed by Ta’amu, all they need to do is watch the Senior Bowl game film. The big defensive tackle was dominant every time he lined up and was a constant nuisance for opponents. He collapsed the pocket on several occasions, overpowering opponents to make plays behind the line of scrimmage or force the action. His quarterback pressure at the end of the first half ended what looked to be a potential scoring drive for the South. In the second half the South was forced to double team Ta’amu in the attempt to slow him down.”

Actually, the Senior Bowl is all about the practices, which is why most NFL coaches leave well before the game. So Rob Rang at NFLDraftScout.com, via CBSSports.com, has his all-practice team, including high praise for North Carolina defensive end Quinton Coples: “Unquestionably the most talented player in the game. Has been unblockable, at times.”

And Alex Marvez at FoxSports.com takes a pre-game look at two quarterbacks who have something to overcome – their height, or lack of it: “It’s easy to see why Boise State’s Kellen Moore and Wisconsin’s Russell Wilson might not make it in the NFL. They’re short. Most teams won’t consider drafting or even signing a quarterback under six feet tall. Moore was officially measured at 5-foot-11¾ inches earlier this week at the Senior Bowl. Wilson stood 5-foot-10 5/8 inches. ‘We walk around a lot together to make it look like football is played at that height,’ Moore said with a smile.”

As for that game that’s this week, Peter King is in Indianapolis and has his “Monday Morning Quarterback” at SI.com to kickoff the Super Bowl coverage: “First, a word about how both teams are going to spin this as a totally different game than the one four years ago, with each team having so many new players and each team in a totally different place. Yes, one word: bunk.”

In a game that featured 100 points and 1,162 total yards, Marshawn Lynch managed to run for 43 yards in the NFC’s 59-41 loss to the AFC in the Pro Bowl at Honolulu’s Aloha Stadium on Sunday.

It was the second Pro Bowl appearance for the Seahawks’ leading rusher, but Lynch’s first for the NFC as his previous trip was in 2008 while playing for the AFC’s Buffalo Bills. Lynch averaged 5.4 yards on his eight carries on Sunday, all in the second half.

The Seahawks also had four players making their first Pro Bowl appearances: cornerback Brandon Browner, who was credited with three tackles; strong safety Kam Chancellor, who was credited with one; and free safety Earl Thomas and fullback Michael Robinson, who started for the NFC.

Thomas was voted to the team in balloting by players and coaches in the NFC, as well as fans, while Lynch, Browner, Chancellor and Robinson were added as injury or illness replacements.

The MVP award went to Dolphins wide receiver Brandon Marshall, who had four touchdown catches and caught six passes for 177 yards.

Thomas was involved in one of Marshall’s TD catches, as the second-year free safety appeared to be in position to intercept the pass. Instead, Thomas collided with another NFC defensive back, and Marshall was able to kick the ball with his leg and catch the carom for the score.

1979: Steve Largent, the Seahawks’ first representative to the Pro Bowl, ties a record by catching five passes but the NFC wins the game 13-7 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.

1984: Chuck Knox coaches the AFC Pro Bowl team after the Seahawks lose the AFC Championship Game to the Raiders, and has Kenny Easley and Curt Warner on the squad. But the NFC wins 45-3. Rams safety Nolan Cromwell, who would later coach the Seahawks wide receivers, returns an interception 44 yards for a touchdown.

1989: Dave Krieg is 3 of 14 for 21 yards and the AFC manages only a field goal in a 34-3 loss in the Pro Bowl. Rufus Porter also was on the AFC squad.

A look at the memorable moments in Seahawks history that occurred on Jan. 28:

1993: Howard Mudd is named offensive line coach on Tom Flores’ staff. Mudd had held the same position with the Seahawks from 1978-82.

1995: Steve Largent is voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Largent had retired after the 1989 season as the NFL’s all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches.

2000: Ted Thompson is named vice president of football operations.

Here at Seahawks.com, we check in with Earl Thomas, the Seahawks’ second-year free safety who’s in Honolulu for his first Pro Bowl: “Once the Pro Bowl begins on Sunday, it will be just another football game. Right? The tone of Earl Thomas’ voice says otherwise. ‘This is something special to me,’ Thomas said Thursday during a telephone interview from Honolulu, where the Seahawks’ second-year free safety is preparing to play in his first Pro Bowl. ‘I don’t know how the other guys are taking it, but I’m going to give it my best when I get out there. Because I know once I start playing, it’s going to be like nothing I’ve ever experienced before. So I’m just really looking forward to it.”

We also have an item on Marshawn Lynch, who’s also part of the Seahawks’ five-man Pro Bowl contingent, being ranked as the 40^th best player in the league by Pro Football Weekly: “Here’s what they had to say about Lynch: ‘Rushing for more than 100 yards in six of Seattle’s last nine games, Lynch finished with a career-high 1,204 yards and 12 rushing TDs (13 total). A bruising, between-the-tackles, downhill runner with make-you-miss ability, Lynch, who is a free agent, runs a lot bigger than his 5-foot-11, 215-pound size – with a ‘Beast Mode’ attitude that has endeared him to the Seahawks’ fan base. Having become the team’s offensive centerpiece and most popular player, Lynch’s re-signing is Pete Carroll’s No. 1 priority.’ ”

Pete Prisco at CBSSports.com checks in with Deon Grant, the former Seahawks strong safety who is now playing an important and versatile role for the Super Bowl-bound Giants: “Over the course of the game (in Week 9 game against the Patriots), Grant lined up 30 times as a linebacker, 26 times as a safety and 13 times on the line of scrimmage. He was locked in man coverage with Rob Gronkowski, New England’s all-world tight end, 15 times, getting an interception of (Tom) Brady when matched in man coverage with Gronkowski. He also blitzed nine times from various spots along the line. ‘It’s a special defense,’ Grant said. ‘Sometimes I am a linebacker. Sometimes I am safety. Sometimes I am a nickel back. It worked that day.’ ”

Rob Rang of NFLDraftScout.com, via CBSSports.com, focuses his Senior Bowl coverage on North Alabama cornerback Janoris Jenkins: “He has put to rest any debate as to who is the most talented senior cornerback in this year’s group with his performance in practice this week. He is a fluid athlete with very light feet and swivel hips to turn and run downfield, but also shows the closing burst and physical nature to attack what’s in front of him. At practice on Wednesday, Jenkins showed impeccable timing and explosion to plant, drive and blow up the play, knocking the ball and North Carolina receiver Dwight Jones to the ground in one of the drills.”

This one has nothing to do with the Seahawks, and little to do with football. But Ian O’Connor’s story on John Mara and his daughter, Rooney, at ESPN.com is a must-read: “Chris Mara, football scout, was on the edge of his seat and staring down the TV as if he were watching the NFL draft. This was Tuesday morning, and the longtime talent evaluator for the New York Giants was waiting to see if a certain prospect was picked in a first round loaded with high-profile stars. Meryl Streep. Glenn Close. Viola Davis. Michelle Williams. Mara didn’t know if his own million-dollar baby would make that kind of Academy Award cut, and he didn’t want to get his heart broken. Again. Yeah, he knew the feeling. Mara badly wanted to be the general manager of the Giants five years ago, only to be told by his brother John that the Oscar would be going to Jerry Reese. So Chris delayed his commute to work to watch the nominations. He figured it was better to be disappointed in his home, alone, than to endure another round of you’ll-get-’em-next-times at the office. And when Rooney Mara’s name was indeed called in the best actress category, her father did what any father of a 26-year-old hopeful would do when nominated for an Oscar. ‘I let out a pretty big scream,’ he said. ‘And then I cried.’ ”

A look at a memorable moment in Seahawks history that occurred on Jan. 27:

1985: Fredd Young blocks a punt to set up a touchdown, Norm Johnson kicks two field goals and Kenny Easley has a game-high 10 tackles as the AFC wins the Pro Bowl 22-14. The Seahawks’ largest Pro Bowl contingent in franchise history also includes Steve Largent, Dave Krieg, Joe Nash and Dave Brown.

Marshawn Lynch actually wears No. 24. But Pro Football Weekly ranks its Top 50 players in the NFL in this week’s issue and the Seahawks’ leading rusher checks in at No. 40.

Here’s what they had to say about Lynch: “Rushing for more than 100 yards in six of Seattle’s last nine games, Lynch finished with a career-high 1,204 yards and 12 rushing TDs (13 total). A bruising, between-the-tackles, downhill runner with make-you-miss ability, Lynch, who is a free agent, runs a lot bigger than his 5-foot-11, 215-pound size – with a ‘Beast Mode’ attitude that has endeared him to the Seahawks’ fan base. Having become the team’s offensive centerpiece and most popular player, Lynch’s re-signing is Pete Carroll’s No. 1 priority.”

No. 1 on PFW’s list? Packers QB Aaron Rodgers. In fact, the top four players are quarterbacks, as the Saints’ Drew Brees, the Patriots’ Tom Brady and the Giants’ Eli Manning follow Rodgers’ in the rankings. You can check out the entire list here.

Lynch is the sixth running back on the list, behind the Ravens’ Ray Rice (11), Texans’ Arian Foster (13), Jaguars’ Maurice Jones-Drew (17), Eagles’ LeSean McCoy and Saints’ Darren Sproles (25).

Lynch is currently in Hawaii, where he will represent the NFC in Sunday’s Pro Bowl along with teammates Earl Thomas, Michael Robinson, Kam Chancellor and Brandon Browner.