Mike Macdonald went full football nerd over the size of Seahawks great Kam Chancellor

Tim Weaver

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Mike Macdonald went full football nerd over the size of Seahawks great Kam Chancellor image

The Seattle Seahawks had a strong tradition of fielding great defenses right up until the final years of the Pete Carroll era. In his defense, it's pretty tough to put together two separate elite eras of defense across a decade plus of competing in the NFL. Especially when the first time around you had multiple future Hall of Famers on the back end of your defense.

Former Seattle star Kam Chancellor may never see his bust in Canton, but there was a time when he was the most fearsome and dynamic strong safety in all of football. A four-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion, Chancellor intimidated opponents in a Darth Vader vibes type of way that's become rare for any defender, let alone a safety.

Kam's dark tinted visor combined with being nearly 6-foot-4 and weighing over 220 pounds probably had something to do with it - but if opponents didn't fear the look of him they certainly learned to after taking one of his hits. Just ask former 49ers tight end Vernon Davis, who was the victim of what may have been his most iconic collision.

When Bam Bam visited Seahawks training camp earlier this week, new head coach Mike Macdonald appeared almost starstruck when he talked to reporters about him after practice. Watch Macdonald's face light up and see the football nerd come out in him as he talks about Chancellor's uncommon size for his position.

Marshawn Lynch has accurately been described as the beating heart as those awesome Legion of Boom era teams, but for our money Chancellor was the very soul of what will go down as the greatest defense of all time.

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Tim Weaver

Tim Weaver Photo

Tim Weaver has been covering the NFL since the 2013 season for a number of different outlets, including Fansided and USA Today SMG. His work began with the Seahawks and has included covering the Eagles, Bears, Panthers, Steelers and Falcons. His pit/terrier mix, Pepper, is a one-cut-and-go kind of girl.