The Seahawks figure to return four starters from last years line with pro-bowlers Walter Jones and Robbie Tobeck, along with Chris Gray and Sean Locklear. This group started a combined 63 games last year (Jones was held out of the final contest as a precaution with home-field advantage locked up). Returning four full-season starters is reason enough to be excited. Along with the two all-pros, the often unheralded Chris Gray is considered one of the best guards in the NFL and Sean Locklear has shown he is a rising star. The Seahawks current plan is to add Porkchop Womack to the group at left guard. Tom Ashworth could also challenge for this spot and replace him, especially if Womack continues to struggle with injuries.
It is important to have continuity on the line, so it does not make sense to shuffle the other guys, even if Ashworth is better suited to play tackle. Ashworth is a versatile player, and should fill in admirably as a tackle or guard if called upon due to an injury to any of our projected starters with the exception of Robbie Tobeck, who will be backed up by 2005 first round selection Chris Spencer. It is possible that if the team suffered an injury to Walter Jones, considered by many to be the best offensive lineman in the NFL, that the line would reshuffle with Womack moving to left tackle, Locklear playing left guard and Ashworth playing right tackle. Womack is a massive player and was slated to play left tackle during each Walter Jones holdouts.
Looking to the future, you can assume that Robbie Tobeck and Chris Gray only have a couple of more seasons at best. Walter Jones signed a contract extension through 2012 (although the final year his salary drops to $1 million, so it should be considered a contract with 6 years left). Jones should be a fixture at left tackle for at least another five years, but we will want to be grooming someone to take over for him or back him up if he gets injured. The Seahawks are in an excellent position with young, talented players. 2005 first rounder Chris Spencer was widely considered to be the best offensive lineman in the draft. He is a solid replacement for Robbie Tobeck and will have at least two years preparing to take over as our starting center. In Sean Lockler, the Seahawks have a young, talented player that should be able to play either tackle or guard, and we would be wise to re-sign him before he hits free agency this off-season. Tom Ashworth is another young, capable lineman that can player either tackle or guard, but is a more natural tackle. Scouts, Inc gives the following report on Ashworth, making him a great fit for what the west coast offense requires of its offensive line: "His best quality are probably his feet, and he has excellent first step quickness off the ball, he shows the ability to redirect in run and pass situations, and he always plays with good overall balance. He uses his hands well in pass protection situations, he gets good separation, and he has the ability to handle a defensive pass rusher's second move, and he can match defenders with quickness."
Ashworth (28), Locklear (26), and Spencer (24) form a solid core for our line going forward. The Seahawks also hope fourth round selection Rob Sims (22) develops into a quality player at guard. Ray Willis (24) is another excellent tackle prospect that the Seahawks have safely tucked away in reserve. He is an imposing player at 6’6”, 325 and if the Seahawks can hold onto him, could be the eventual solution at left tackle when Walter Jones retires. When you figure in Womack (27), the Seahawks have a remarkable group of six quality lineman covering all positions, the eldest being 28 year-old Ashworth, to go along with their three outstanding, but aging veterans. The Seahawks still have one of the most talented offensive lines in the NFL, and probably the deepest. They have positioned themselves to remain one of the best well into the future.
0 comments:
Post a Comment