RENTON, Wash. - As is usually the case with Richard Sherman, the politicking on behalf of Seattle teammate Bobby Wagner came completely unscripted.Hopefully, this year will be the year that Bobby gets his Pro Bowl. Bobby Wagner, Pro Bowl, a lot of tackles, Sherman said recently. Were going to get Bobby in the game this year.Between Shermans campaign strategy and the colorful description San Francisco running back Frank Gore used this week to describe Wagners skill, the Seahawks middle linebacker is receiving plenty of attention and praise.It seems completely justified. After two solid seasons in the middle of Seattles defence, Wagner is playing at an elite level in his third year. If not for a painful toe injury suffered in Week 6 against Dallas that caused him to miss five games, Wagner would likely be in the discussion among defensive player of the year candidates.Or as Gore said on a conference call this week, using some choice language, That No. 54, Bobby, man, hes ... fast as ... man.The impact Wagner was making on Seattles defence wasnt fully recognized until he was sidelined after tearing the tendon that connects his big toe to the bottom of his foot. He suffered the injury in the first half of Seattles loss to Dallas, but returned to play in the second half.It was the only game hes played this season where Wagner did not lead or was tied for the team lead in tackles.I wouldnt say it matters, but I definitely appreciate it a lot, because its people recognizing you for your talents, Wagner said of getting recognition from others. But to say Im driven by that, I wouldnt say that. Id rather win like 30 Super Bowls.More than any other attribute, Wagners speed in recognizing plays is showing up more this season. His pure speed was one of the skills that made Wagner stand out when he was coming out of Utah State and made Seattle comfortable putting him in the starting lineup as a rookie. That speed his first season made up for what Wagner did not know yet about the NFL.At this point, Wagner has found the right mix between his pure speed and the quickness in recognizing what the offence is doing.I think my rookie year I was just out there, I just wanted to be out there and have fun. Maybe my sophomore year I was thinking a little too much because I wanted to be perfect, but I think everybody goes through that stretch, Wagner said. Rookie year you get out there and want to make as many plays as possible, then second year you want to be perfect, and then you kind of find a combination between the two — making a lot of plays and trying to be as perfect as possible.Not surprisingly, Wagners return has coincided with Seattles stretch of stout defence thats among the best the league has seen in recent seasons. Wagner returned three weeks ago when Seattle beat Arizona at home 19-3 and limited the Cardinals to 204 total yards. Five days later on Thanksgiving night against San Francisco, Wagner had 10 tackles in the Seahawks 19-3 victory.And last week in Philadelphia, the Seahawks held the Eagles to 139 total yards and just 18:04 time of possession in Seattles 24-14 win. Again, Wagner was at the top of the stat sheet with seven tackles.Wagners return allowed Seattle to move K.J. Wright back to outside linebacker and, combined with the returns of safety Kam Chancellor and cornerback Byron Maxwell, finally put the Seahawks defence back in order.If there is anything that you should have witnessed here in the last month is that our team speed picked up, Seattle coach Pete Carroll said. You can see us playing faster as were going and thats in the continuity, thats in the communication, thats in the confidence from being together and being out there. Were hoping it can happen again one more time this week.NOTES: Seattle signed DL David King off Cincinnatis practice squad and released LB Allen Bradford on Thursday. King has spent parts of the past two seasons on the Bengals practice squad. ... C Max Unger (ankle/knee) and TE Cooper Helfet (ankle) were both limited in practice after sitting out Wednesdays practice.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Custom NHL Jerseys . 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Against the Detroit Tigers on Sunday, Elias put the entire package together against one of the leagues strongest lineups.ANAHEIM, Calif. - Joe Smith and the Los Angeles Angels have completed a $15.75 million, three-year contract. The team announced the move Wednesday after Smith took his physical. The sides agreed to terms last weekend on a deal that should boost the Angels bullpen. The 29-year-old Smith was 6-2 with a 2.29 ERA and three saves in 70 appearances covering 63 innings this year for Cleveland. He has 13 wins over the passt two seasons.dddddddddddd The submarining right-hander spent the past five years with the Indians after pitching for the New York Mets in his first two major league seasons. He is 27-16 with a 2.97 ERA in 439 career games, all in relief. Smiths contract includes $500,000 annually in potential bonuses. To make room on the 40-man roster, the Angels designated right-hander Juan Gutierrez for assignment. ' ' '