As the Seahawks plot to rebuild their offensive line this offseason, they appear to face a steep and slippery uphill climb — one where it could be easy to backslide and end up right back where they started.
If the Hawks were forced to play a game today, they could barely field a line with the guys they have under contract. Garry Gilliam likely would move to left tackle, Drew Nowak would return to center, Justin Britt would move back to right tackle, Mark Glowinski would step in at right guard (J.R. Sweezy reportedly is expected to have a hot market in free agency) and Kristjan Sokoli probably would be the de facto left guard.
What an underwhelming, overmatched line that would be, eh?
The offensive line is the one spot where the Seahawks simply have not “competed” well in personnel. In six years, John Schneider has signed just eight free agents — and none have lasted more than a year. He also has drafted just four linemen in the first three rounds — and Britt (a major reach in the second round) is the only one from the past four drafts.
Will Schneider change that this year to get the Seahawks back atop the NFC? Will he be willing to spend resources — money and draft picks — to fix it?
Continue reading Will Schneider use any of top options to fix OL?
The franchise tag period runs today through March 1, and the Seahawks will skip it for the sixth straight year.
The NFL year — i.e., free agency and the trading period — begins in four weeks, but the business of rebuilding teams already has begun as clubs re-sign and release players.
The best center in franchise history says the Seahawks need veteran linemen, and he should know: He was the pivot on the best line in team history — the 2001-05 group that also included All-Pros Walter Jones and Steve Hutchinson and savvy vet Chris Gray, a quartet that started 65 games together during that stretch (Hutch missed 12 in 2002, and Jones sat out three in holdouts).
When Russell Okung suffered a dislocated shoulder in the playoff loss to Carolina, it seemed a sad but fitting end to his injury-filled Seahawks career.
As his turn in the spotlight begins, Seattle GM John Schneider made the radio rounds Friday and talked about the personnel issues facing him and the team this offseason.
Thanks to going minus-five in free agency last year, the Seahawks are going to get three compensatory draft picks this year — including a rare third-rounder.
It can be easy to lose track of where undrafted players are in the free agency track, especially if they have spent time on the practice squad for more than one season.
