The Seahawks saw tackle Russell Okung and guard J.R. Sweezy depart as free agents this offseason in moves that removed a pair of veterans from a line that didn’t impress too many people in 2015.
Their plan to replace them didn’t involve any pricey free agent additions of their own. The Seahawks shopped in a less expensive aisle and came home with tackle J’Marcus Webb, who started 16 games for the Raiders last year after spending two years as a backup with the Vikings.
Webb’s record, which includes three years with the Bears, isn’t one that inspires total confidence in his play. Offensive line coach Tom Cable prized Webb’s experience, however, and believes that he can help the team as a right tackle.
“And just having J’Marcus here, my whole plan with him, I told him every day during offseason workouts, ‘This is going to be the best year of your career if you’ll give yourself to this thing,’ Cable said on Sirius XM NFL Radio with Jim Miller and Pat Kirwan. “And what I mean by that, he’s kind of been up and down. He’s been all over the place, in Chicago, Kansas City, Minnesota, Oakland last year. I think, again, it’s about getting someone to believe in him, and that’s my job, and in getting him to believe in himself. And if those two things can marry up right, I think this kid can really, really do something cool for us. And we need him to.”
Webb’s just one part of a rebuild that has Garry Gilliam moving to left tackle, Justin Britt taking over at center and rookie Germain Ifedi walking into the lineup at guard on his first day. Cable calls it a “blast” rebuilding the line and it will be one for the Seattle offense if Cable’s work keeps Russell Wilson from getting blasted as often as he was last year.
