Buccaneers safety Jermaine Phillips re-signed with Tampa Bay after spending yesterday in Seattle meeting with coaches.
The Bucs also re-signed former Seahawks tight end Jerramy Stevens. Terms of the contracts have not been disclosed.
The news is undoubtedly disappointing to Seahawks fans, who, after a seemingly frustrating season with Brian Russell, have been clamoring for a replacement at free safety.
UPDATE: The Seahawks agreed to terms with blocking tight end John Owens.
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Here is how Phillips could have filled in as a Seahawk:
Where would Phillips fit?
The news of Phillips' impending Seattle visit is surprising considering current SS Deon Grant had a solid year, 79 tackles and two interceptions. The only explanation for bringing in Phillips would be to replace the much-maligned Brian Russell at free safety, who some saw as the weakest link in an all-around under-performing secondary.
However, Phillips' biggest weakness is his top end speed, an attribute not welcoming to the free safety, who often plays further back than the SS. That's not to say Phillips' overall speed is poor because he is one of the most dynamic safeties in the league and a big part of the Buccaneers' Tampa-2 defense.
Another explanation, and perhaps a better scenario, could have Grant moving to free safety because he is a little lighter and faster than Phillips. Grant also sometimes struggles against the run and Phillips excels at it.
Reach Aaron Weinberg at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
