Expect Seattle’s front five to continue dominating

By Connor Byrne  |   Wednesday, August 09, 2006  |  Comments( 2 )

Seattle Seahawks
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Because the Seattle Seahawks lost All-Pro left guard Steve Hutchinson in free agency a few months back, many are assuming their offensive line will lose its dominant form in 2006. On the contrary, the Seahawks' front five will continue maintaining their stranglehold on the rest of the league's defensive lines, giving ample time to Pro Bowl quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and clearing the way for the National Football League's reigning MVP, running back Shaun Alexander.

Taking over for Hutchinson is Floyd Womack, who goes by the comical nickname, "Pork Chop." The mammoth 6-foot-4, 333-pounder has started in just 23 games in his five-year career, playing at various positions. The 27-year-old has the size and shiftiness to be a success on Seattle's line, and its coach, Bill Laveroni, believes in him.

The reason Womack will be a success lies mostly with the player to his immediate left, tackle Walter Jones. Arguably the greatest offensive tackle in football, Jones has been infallible in nine seasons. The five-time Pro Bowler may very well be on his way to Canton when it's all said and done. There's little doubt that he made Hutchinson look far better in Seattle than he really was, even though "Hutch" was still a terrific performer.

For Womack, being sandwiched between not one but two Pro Bowlers is certainly a reassuring feeling. At the center position is Robbie Tobeck, a 12-year veteran who truly came into his own with the Seahawks last season, making it to Honolulu's season-ending game for the first time in his lengthy career. Though the 36-year-old's time in the league is winding down, he's still among its best handful of centers.

Not only does Tobeck have to help keep the left side in check, but he must manage the right, too. That side begins with another wily veteran, Chris Gray, at right guard. Much like Tobeck, this 308-pounder truly burst onto the scene last year, although he's started 16 games in seven straight seasons. In 2005, he allowed a career-best .25 sacks (yes, 1/4 of a sack) and took only three penalties. Clearly, this 13-year veteran has plenty of good blocking left in his tank.

The final starter on Seattle's stellar front five is, perhaps, its second biggest question mark - behind Womack. That player is right tackle Sean Locklear, a third-year man who started all 16 games last year. The 25-year-old allowed 5 ½ sacks and took four penalties in '05. Aside from some off-field issues, the former third-round pick appears to have a bright future, and should continue improving this season.

If any of the above players succumb to injury in '06, there are plenty of reserves capable of starting. The two bursting to the fore are Tom Ashworth and Chris Spencer.

The 28-year-old Ashworth was signed to a free agent contract in the offseason. He started 30 games for the New England Patriots the last three years and was a part of two Super Bowl-winning teams.

Spencer, on the other hand, will be Tobeck's successor at center in the near future. If the aged Tobeck begins to show signs of decline, don't be surprised to see head coach Mike Holmgren and Laveroni substitute Spencer into the lineup. After all, they did spend a first-round pick on the former Mississippi stalwart in the '05 draft.

Entering this season, it's clear the Seahawks' offensive line is as strong as ever. Three starters have played for at least nine seasons, while two others have shown plenty of youthful promise. The reserves are among the steadiest and most capable in football, too.

With this combined 1,554-pound group clearing gaping paths in front of him, Alexander shouldn't necessarily have vast amounts of trouble nearing his totals from last year, when he led the league in ground yards (1,880) and set an all-time single-season record for total touchdowns (28).

And look for Hasselbeck to stay near the top of the list of elite signal callers, like he did last season. If you ask the members of the Seahawks' line, though, they'd like to get the 30-year-old's sack total of 24 cut in half. Although lofty, that's a realistic goal for the starting five.

Since many believe a great offensive line is the key to winning a title (or multiple championships), the Seattle Seahawks and their line could be on the way to hoisting the first Lombardi Trophy in franchise history.

The entire roster is ready to put last February's unfortunate Super Bowl loss behind them and stake their claim as the league's best team. All of that will start in the trenches.

--Connor J. Byrne can be reached at cbyrne@realfootball365.com.

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