Seahawks order a “Pork Chop” to replace Hutchinson

By Connor Byrne  |   Tuesday, May 09, 2006  |  Comments( 0 )

Seattle Seahawks
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article!
In the first few weeks of the offseason's free agency period, the Seattle Seahawks were dealt what has been perceived to be a major blow when they lost Pro Bowl offensive guard Steve Hutchinson to the Minnesota Vikings. The Seahawks applied the transition tag to Hutchinson, but the Vikings far exceeded the contract Seattle offered to the 28-year-old, pulling him away from the Pacific Northwest. Because of that, Hutchinson is now a member of what looks to be a terrific line in Minnesota, while the Seahawks find themselves looking for a replacement.

Well, it appears the Seahawks have ordered a 333-pound "Pork Chop" as their replacement for Hutchinson, who some might consider a 313-pound filet mignon.

Floyd Womack, nicknamed Pork Chop, a former backup, is set to take the reins at the left guard position of one of the league's premier offensive lines. The 27-year-old Womack was re-signed in the 2005 offseason by Seattle to fight for a starting job at the right tackle position, but he was unable to win a job, which forced him to ride the pine in the Seahawks' 13-3 campaign last season. However, with Hutchinson out of the picture, the job is now Womack's.

Even though Hutchinson is one of the most highly-touted offensive linemen in the NFL, the Seahawks shouldn't miss a beat in his now-permanent absence. Why? To put it simply, it's mainly because of Walter Jones. For those who don't follow offensive linemen closely, Jones is perhaps the game's preeminent left tackle, plowing huge gaps each week for running back Shaun Alexander, the league MVP last regular season. The 315-pound Jones is capable of making every single player on the Seahawks' offense better, which he has successfully done for the last few seasons.

Consider Jones the Michael Jordan of offensive linemen, and consider Womack the Scottie Pippen in this situation. Jordan was so good that he turned Pippen into a tremendous player, which Jones will likely do with Womack. For a better comparison, take a look at the left side of the Baltimore Ravens' offensive line. Left tackle Jon Ogden, an elite, Jones-like player, makes left guard Ed Mulitalo look far better than he actually is week in and week out. So far, that's worked out pretty well for the Ravens, even though Ogden is beginning to wear down.

As if having Jones to his immediate left wasn't enough, Womack will have Pro Bowl center Robbie Tobeck to his immediate right. There's no way the new left guard can fail, right? It certainly seems that way. Tobeck, one of the league's choice centers, is a tremendous blocker who also factored into making Hutchinson perhaps look a little better than he was. Expect him to do the same with Womack on his left side.

Essentially, the Seahawks' left guard position will be interchangeable as long as Jones is at left tackle and Tobeck's at center.

With Womack now manning the Seattle Seahawks' left guard position, look for the line to be a sandwich-esque atmosphere. Jones and Tobeck are the all important bread, while Womack is the "Pork Chop." When they pull to open up holes for Alexander next season, they'll be the "pulled pork sandwich." For Alexander, that sandwich could equal another rushing title and possibly, another MVP.

--Connor J. Byrne can be reached cbyrne@realfootball365.com
Got something to say?

Sign Up and be the first to comment on this article! (0)

About Connor Byrne

...Sorry, Connor Byrne's bio is currently not available. Please check back soon!
read more
Article Tools Share!   |  RSS  |  Bleacher Report About Bleacher Report