After three different positions in three seasons, the Seahawks may have found a home for Justin Britt at center.
Britt had a solid first showing at center against the Kansas City Chiefs on Saturday night while squaring off against defensive tackle Dontari Poe.
Britt played 23 snaps with Seattle’s first-team offensive line against the Chiefs. It was his first snaps at center in-game action since being converted from left guard to center this offseason.
“The best evaluation was our one’s against their one’s, a bunch of plays there and that gave us a really good feel,” head coach Pete Carroll said. “I thought Poe is a terrific nose tackle and Justin held up very well, they battled in a number of situations, other stuff too as well. I was really fired up about that. I felt like Justin really made the transition and that’s because we respect Poe.”
Britt was a second-round pick of the Seahawks in 2014. He started every game that season at left tackle through their Super Bowl XLIX loss to the New England Patriots. Britt was expected to start at right tackle again last season until issues along the line and a poor showing against Denver’s Von Miller in the preseason opener prompted a shift to left guard.
Now Seattle is hoping Britt can work at center.
Seattle’s offensive line was problematic at times last season. Those problems started at center as Drew Nowak struggled to handle the job and gave way to veteran Patrick Lewis mid-season. With Britt at center, Carroll was pleased with the overall play of the line in their first opportunity.
“I really liked it. I thought we were tight in our pass protection, we really hit some runs against a really nice front,” Carroll said. "...Overall, the group was solid, we communicated well, first time on the road, all that stuff. I’m pleased with that.”