logo

The Offensive Line Gets a Boost

29 July 2010

Offensive Guard Chester Pitts has signed with Seattle today. Jason La Canfora of NFL.com reports that it is a 1 year deal worth a max of $2 million. Pitts suffered a knee injury two games into the 2009 season that required microfracture knee surgery. The former Houston Texan played for current Seahawks offensive line coach Alex Gibbs in '08 and '09.

This is great news for the Seattle's offensive line. A few years of weak showings has led to Hasselbeck getting sacked a lot, but the addition of Pitts along with Okung and Hamilton should make for a strong line that can keep Hasselbeck on his feet.  Heading into his ninth year, Pitts should be able to use his veteran savvy and experience in Gibbs' zone blocking system to help mentor the rookies on the o-line.

Comments (25)Add Comment
pitts at lg or rg
written by aubreyscully, July 29, 2010
I hope they move Unger back to center then have pitts start at LG and mentor our new LT then have Hamiliton at RG. If we could only get a decent Defensive line now. I am not sure moving big Red to DE will do the trick. I think we need two decent sized DE speed rushers on the edge.
...
written by va hawk fan, July 29, 2010
Pitts... damn i like this move! depth! competition! a good sign of changes in a very important positions.
...
written by Kelley, July 29, 2010
I dunno about this move, if he is there as a Mentor / Backup then great....I dont see Spencer losing his spot as C, and Unger really needs to play. He is part of the future of the Line and needs to make sure and get enough play time.
...
written by Jrock, July 29, 2010
defintitely good depth, it gives us a solid backup/competition for a few spots now, and most certainly will smooth out an injury to Spencer/Unger/Hamilton. With the luck we've had staying healthy on the line, it's definitely great. let the best man start!
Great move!
written by Billy Showbiz, July 29, 2010
It does leave a question as to who will start on the line but that is what competition is all about right? I think that we keep Hamilton right where he is as he has already proven that he can be an effective mentor to a rookie tackle (Clady). The word on Okung is that he is dominant but makes some mental mistakes. Hamilton should be able to help him limit those mental errors.

Now the pressure is on Unger and Spencer to beat out Pitts. Regardless of how the line shapes up, we will at least have some much needed depth. Willis is a pretty good back up Tackle and between Pitts, Unger, Spencer and Hamilton we have some pretty good interior linemen.

Good move! GO HAWKS!!!!
...
written by cts, July 29, 2010
I agree with Kelley. I absolutely LOVE this acquisition as long as it doesnt take Unger out of the line up. He's a good utility guy too. He can play OG or OT in a pinch. good move.
...
written by tomandrachelle, July 29, 2010
guys you need to remember that Gibbs rarely starts second year players. he has been quoted numerous times that the interior line needs to have the most experince and smarts to be effective in his system. info and line changes get called from the inside out. If Unger doesn't get to start it will be because of his lack of experince. which isn't a bad thing. He can sit and learn. I am not big fan of Spencer, but I trust Gibbs. The best player will start. THis is a huge move for us and I have begging the Hawks to make it for some time. This is going to bring a lot of stability to our line. which should help our Offense on numerous levels. Emagine what J force can do with decent blocking in the running game.
Hope the knee holds up...
written by realspd, July 29, 2010
What I read about his knee injury was it took major reconstruction to get him back on his feet. That is an awful big man and while not super old he is no spring chicken either. Guess we need to trust Gibbs here.

Competition is always a good thing but you need to also develop talent through playing. Unger will not get better riding the pine.
...
written by Bilko, July 29, 2010
Great move...I really hope he is 100% healthy. Gives us good depth and good veteran zone blocking experience at LG and RG. Unger is our center of the future so Hamilton & Pitts should help him immensely. I see this as our starting line: Okung, Hamilton, Unger, Pitts, Locklear.
...
written by Mr Fish, July 29, 2010
I think some of you guys are being way too optimistic re the additions of Hamilton and now Pitts. Didn't you learn anything from the Mike Wahle episode?

Before we anoint them as starters and pronounce our OL problems fixed, let's at least wait and see whether they make it through training camp and the pre-season games without injuries or being cut, OK?

(And no, I wouldn't be surprised if either or both of them end up being cut. If you've been watching Carroll and Schneider so far, you should know that signing a contract with them is no guarantee that you'll make the team -- not to mention training camp or the preseason.)
Mr. Fish
written by Jrock, July 29, 2010
you are pretty far off base with this one. Hamilton WILL NOT be cut, and Pitts won't either barring his knee holds up. These are guys who have both worked with Gibbs, and Gibbs knows what he's doing. Mike Wahle was a completely different scenerio
Hey Fish:
written by LouieLouie, July 29, 2010
You have a good point about not being overly optimistic. Both of those guys could be on IR by game 3.

That being said, I still like the addition of both of them. I think that Hamilton will start, and Pitts will be a back up until his knee is a sure thing. It couldn't hurt to have to veterans on the O-Line who know the Gibbs system.

Also, I trust Gibbs, Carroll and Co. to get the best available players to fit into the new Seahawk system. They have not shown themselves to be free-agent crazy.
...
written by tomandrachelle, July 29, 2010
I personally like the fact that they aren't free agent crazy. I hopefully shows that we aren't going to sell our future for a chance of playing a little better in the present. They are being smart about who the sign. which I love.
...
written by nightwulf, July 29, 2010
I like the fact that it's a one year contract...and in an uncapped year no less...see if his knee holds up...if it does, between him and Hamilton, we're likely to be set at LG for the next three years or so...give us time to find and groom someone to take over...also gives us two guys to mentor the younger kids...this has the potential to be a VERY good move, with very little risk...
...
written by Mr Fish, July 29, 2010
To clarify: I agree that this has the POTENTIAL to be a very good move.

So did all of the moves to sign players who have since been cut. Carroll and Schneider are kissing every frog they can find. Lots of relatively low-risk tryouts.

And, lest there be any misunderstanding, I approve of what they're doing.

I just think we should try to keep our enthusiasm under control, and not count our chickens before they've hatched.
...
written by Mr Fish, July 29, 2010
... because a lot of frogs turn out to be, well, just frogs. smilies/tongue.gif
Sure hope we can become a run first team
written by Aubrey Scully, July 29, 2010
I sure hope the seahawks can be a run first team this year. Should take a little pressure off Hasslebeck.
...
written by Mr Posh, July 30, 2010
Bring back Tom Ashworth! Ruskell at his VERY best!
...
written by coach handbags outlet, September 03, 2010
gthrttryrytryrt
...
written by chanel handbags, September 07, 2010
thank you for the free information
...
written by Coach handbags outlet, October 24, 2010
Good article ,thank you ...
...
written by Ugg bailey button triplet, November 04, 2010
good sharing .thanks a lot /
http://www.monclerwomens.com
written by xie560@sina.cn, November 25, 2010
Welcome to http://www.monclerwomens.com , Official online Wholesaler and Retailer of moncler coats the leading brand-moncler jacket. We are Official Online Retailers of moncler jacket, we are glad that you spend your time to browse our selection of authentic moncler jacket commodity, and also you can read our news, reviews and blogs. These moncler jackets are a must have among celebrities such as Kate Moss. We hope that you can write your reviews about our products on our site and find our collection of moncler news and information articles.
...
written by fivefingervibramshoes, January 10, 2011
very glad to visit your website.
we like your post ,THX, very glad to visit your website.
we like your website,THX.

Write comment
You must be logged in to post a comment. Please register if you do not have an account yet.

busy
< Prev   Next >