Seattle Seahawks Position Breakdown: Offensive Line

The Starters

LT- Walter Jones -

Jones is a sure fire future HOF and has been the anchor of the Seahawks line for the past decade. At the age of 35 he still continues to be a premier T in the league.

He tips the scales at 325 lb. and has an amazing blend of size, speed, and athletic ability. He automatically neutralizes defenders who line up against him (unless your Demarcus Ware).

When he was paired with All Pro G Steve Hutchinson, it was simply unfair to the DL in front of them. Look for Jones to continue playing at a high level even if he incurs nagging injuries, he is still a Pro Bowler going at half speed.

He has some years left in the tank, his presence will be sorely missed when he retires.

LG- Mike Wahle -

Wahle was brought in during 2008 to attempt to cover up the Hutchinson mistake, mission not accomplished. Wahle is a solid starter, but he will not remind you of Hutchinson’s dominating presence.

He is a former Pro Bowler for a reason; he has lost a step or two. He does not have the quickness that generally excels in the Zone Blocking Scheme being implemented.

His sound technique should make up for that. Wahle should keep his starting LG spot unless rookie C/G Max Unger can needle him for the spot.

If Wahle looses his job he will be a salary cap casualty with his $4 million dollar figure.

C- Chris Spencer -

The biggest disappointment on the OL resides at the C position. Spencer was once heralded as the top OL prospect to come out of the SEC Conference in a decade.

He was Tim Ruskell's first draft choice as Seahawks General Manager. Spencer was handed the starting job after C Robbie Tobeck retired.

Spencer has freakish athletic ability, but that is offset by his ineffective adjustment calls at the line of scrimmage. He is often overpowered by bigger DL, and cannot keep up with blitzing LB’s in passing situations.

He has not proven himself as a worthy candidate to be the Seahawks OL general. He is a dud similar to other 1^st round picks of late like CB Kelly Jennings, and so far DE Lawrence Jackson.

The one aspect of his game he excels at is his run blocking. His speed and athleticism allows him to reach the second level quickly and seal off LB's. 

The new Zone Blocking Scheme should be a better fit for his athletic ability and he should be able to thrive in this new system. His contract is up after this year and if he fails to impress the team will likely move on with newcomer Max Unger at C.

RG- Rob Sims -

Unlike Spencer, Sims had to work his way through the muck to obtain his starting position. As a fourth round pick he did not carry the title and expectations Spencer did coming in.

Sims should also benefit from the Zone Scheme, he performed better then Spencer so far in his career. He can develop into a great football player with some more seasoning. He excels at run blocking, but is often to passive in his pass blocking.

He suffers from the same symptom Spencer does: being blown away by bigger DL. His speed makes him an excellent blocker in the second level.

Look for Unger to also challenge for this spot, as well as T Ray Willis.

RT- Sean Locklear -

Locklear was recently handed a fresh six-year, $36 million dollar contract and is the heir apparent to Jones’ LT spot. Locklear has been a quality RT so far in his career, as solid as they come.

He was always overlooked while the Seahawks had the trio of Jones, Hutchinson, and Tobeck mauling the opposing defenses. He is a lock for the RT position, but needs to pick his play up if he is going to be the future at LT for the Seahawks.

A Pro Bowl season from him would let the Seahawks brain trust breathe a collective sign of relief.

The Best Of The Rest

C/G Max Unger -

Unger is a promising rookie whom the Seahawks traded up in the second round to snag. He has a low center of gravity and can drive DL into the second level with ease.

He started 52 straight games for Oregon and played every position along the OL. His versatility makes him a valuable asset and makes him a lock for a starting job in the near future. He could supplant any one of the three interior OL with a good training camp.

T Ray Willis -

Willis could have landed a starting job on the FA market this year but decided to stick around with the Seahawks. When Jones retires he is the heir to Locklear's current RT spot.

He played well in the ten games he started in relief of injuries in 2008. He plays with a mean streak and is an extremely effective run blocker.

He lacks sound technique but experience will touch up his rawness. He could challenge Rob Sims for the RG spot as well.