The Seahawks were off Sunday, but linebacker Bobby Wagner still found himself on TV during Seattle's bye week, appearing on FOX NFL Sunday.
Wagner's appearance on FOX's Sunday pregame show was just another sign of his status as one of the best defensive players in the league, and while over the years the stars of Seattle's secondary have received a lot of the attention and accolades, Wagner has without a doubt cemented his status as one of his team's most important players.
A two-time first-team All-Pro, Wagner is off to another great start in 2017, totaling a team-high 41 tackles through five games. Wagner also ranks second on the team with three passes defensed, is tied for second with four quarterback hits, has one interception and one fumble return, which he returned for a touchdown in Seattle's Week 4 win over Indianapolis. In other words, he has been exactly what the Seahawks were expecting out of their defensive co-captain who a year ago set a team record by recording an NFL-leading 167 tackles.
"He's a great team member, he's a tremendous performer, he is just rock solid day-in and day-out, stands up for what we're all about, and demonstrating it every day forever, and he's just awesome," Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said last month when Wagner was voted defensive co-captain along with Kam Chancellor. "… I think it's a really accurate and correct evaluation by our team."
It's no coincidence that part of Carroll's praise for Wagner involved the linebacker's work day-in and day-out. Throughout his career, and particularly the past couple of seasons, one of Wagner's biggest areas of focus has been his consistency.
"I just try to get better and better every year," Wagner said. "I try to be really consistent. I feel like that's rare nowadays, being consistent. That's kind of my focus, and everything else takes care of itself… I just feel like I've been very consistent, I've found a good routine."
Part of that routine is the work Wagner puts in during the offseason and on his own time during the season to maintain his body. Between boxing training in the offseason to early morning track sessions to hatha yoga—"I just stretch," Wagner clarified. "You're not going to see me balancing on my head or anything like that"—Wagner goes above and beyond to make sure he is still on top of his game six seasons into his career playing one of the game's more physically demanding positions.
The end result of that hard work, along with his natural athleticism and his smarts and football savvy, is a level of play that has Wagner as the top-rated linebacker in the league according to ProFootballFocus.com.
And if you think Wagner is off to a slow start from a tackles standpoint considering his eye-popping total last season, remember that last year he had "only" 30 tackles through his first four games prior to Seattle's bye, then had 13 or more tackles in five of his next six games after the break. So as good as Wagner has been, recent history says he could get even better after the bye, and most importantly to him, he plans on maintaining a very high level of play on a weekly basis throughout the season.
"I take a lot of pride in (consistency)," Wagner said. "I feel like people remember consistency a lot. A lot of people have good games here and there or splashes here and there, but you always remember a consistent person that you can be accountable for. So I take a lot of pride in that."
Team photographer Rod Mar shares exclusive behind-the-scenes images from the Seahawks' 16-10 win over the Los Angeles Rams during Week 5 at L.A. Coliseum.
Kicker Blair Walsh is dressed to the nines as he makes his way to the team buses on Sunday.
Seahawks safety Kam Chancellor waits for the buses to depart the team hotel on game day.
Quarterback Russell Wilson takes his early warmup throws on the NFL logo painted at midfield at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum prior to facing the Rams.
Seahawks left guard Luke Joeckel stretches in the end zone during the early warmup period.
Seahawks defensive end Michael Bennett greets the Rams' Alec Ogletree on the field before the game.
Early-arriving 12s found themselves down next to the field near the Seahawks bench during pregame.
Safety Kam Chancellor adjusts his helmet as the Seahawks head to the field.
Cornerback Richard Sherman makes the walk down the tunnel to the playing field at the Coliseum.
From left, Tanner McEvoy, Russell Wilson, Justin Britt and Oday Aboushi lead the Seahawks to the playing field.
Seahawks receiver Tyler Lockett kneels on the field before the game.
Seahawks captains Russell Wilson, Jon Ryan, Kam Chancellor and Richard Sherman await the pregame coin toss.
The Rams pressured Seattle early, with Russell Wilson being tackled by L.A.'s Alec Ogletree in the first quarter.
The Seahawks defense worked hard to stop Rams running back Todd Gurley, here brought down by Earl Thomas and Richard Sherman.
Seahawks safety Earl Thomas saves a touchdown and creates a turnover at the last possible moment, jarring the ball away from Rams running back Todd Gurley just shy of the goal line, resulting in a touchback.
Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson slides after scrambling during the first quarter.
Offensive lineman Ethan Pocic caught a line drive kickoff and returned it 13 yards in the second quarter.
Seattle's Luke Willson can't prevent Rams defensive back John Johnson III from intercepting a pass thrown by Russell Wilson in the second quarter.
Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson helps save a touchdown by tackling Rams safety John Johnson III after Johnson intercepted a pass thrown by Wilson.
Seattle's J.D. McKissic races up the right side.
Seattle's Jimmy Graham rumbles down the field, pursued by Rams linebacker Mark Barron.
Tyler Lockett looks for more yardage after evading the Rams' Cody Davis.
Seattle's Jimmy Graham outlaws the smaller John Johnson III of the Rams for a touchdown reception.
Running back Thomas Rawls celebrates with tight end Jimmy Graham after Graham scored on a four-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter.
Seahawks receiver Paul Richardson looks for running room up the left side in the second quarter.
Seahawks receiver Paul Richardson runs over Rams defender Nickell Robey-Coleman along the Los Angeles sideline.
Seattle's Frank Clark collars Rams running back Todd Gurley.
Seahawks running back Eddie Lacy finds daylight for a six-yard gain.
Seattle's Blair Walsh, with Jon Ryan holding, makes one of his three field goals in the victory.
Seahawks fans were everywhere in Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for the game.
Seattle's Sheldon Richardson intercepts a pass intended for Rams running back Todd Gurley in the third quarter.
The Seahawks defense celebrates with defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson after his interception.
Seattle's J.D. McKissic races away from Rams defenders in the third quarter.
Seattle punter Jon Ryan turned in another strong performance for the Seahawks.
With Seattle protecting a 13-10 lead, the Rams looked to come back in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll celebrates as his defense forced the Rams to punt late in the game.
Injured Seahawk Cliff Avril gives advice to defensive end Marcus Smith in the fourth quarter.
Seattle's run defense held the Rams dangerous running back Todd Gurley to his lowest rushing output of the year.
Seattle's defense swarms around Los Angeles receiver Tavon Austin in the fourth quarter.
Seattle's Earl Thomas looks for an opening after intercepting a Jared Goff pass in the fourth quarter.
Seattle running back Thomas Rawls runs past a host of Rams.
Seattle's Frank Clark knocks the ball away from Rams quarterback Jared Goff in the fourth quarter.
Seahawks defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson returns a fumble caused by teammate Frank Clark in the fourth quarter.
Kicker Blair Walsh smiles after connecting on a 35-yard field goal with less than two minutes remaining, giving the Seahawks a 16-10 lead. Walsh made field goals of 48, 49 and 35 yards in the victory.
Seahawks fans were everywhere one looked on the road in Los Angeles and were treated to a 16-10 victory.
Seattle's Kam Chancellor and Justin Coleman defend as Jared Goff's pass intended for Cooper Kupp falls incomplete on fourth down, sealing the victory for the Seahawks.
Seattle's Justin Coleman celebrates after the defense held the Rams on the final drive of the game.
Rooke cornerback Shaquill Griffin is hugged by veteran safety Earl Thomas on the field after the hard-fought victory.
