June would complement Hill's
pass rushing abilites with solid
pass coverage skills.
GM Tim Ruskell’s goal this free agency was to fill every glaring need to enable the Seahawks to draft the best player available rather than take prospects based on need.
With a blockbuster trade sending Pro Bowl linebacker Julian Peterson to the Lions for defensive tackle Cory Redding and a fifth round pick, the Seahawks shored up one need only to be left with another.
However, there are still some options left in free agency to address the position.
To Continue...
Cato June, 29, Buccaneers, 227 6-0
June has ties to new defensive coordinator Gus Bradley and obviously fits the Tampa-2 mold perfectly. The Buccaneers released him because they are moving away from the scheme. He’s excellent in zone coverage and is agile enough to be a stout pass defender. The year Indianapolis won the super bowl, he recorded 142 tackles with the team and was named to the pro bowl.
He’d fit perfectly into Peterson’s absent position because he’s not a great pass rusher. Leroy Hill will likely be taking the bulk of those duties when Bradley dials up the blitz. At 29, he still has many good years left and isn’t far removed from Indy’s super bowl run, highlighted more by a terrific defense than their normal explosive offense.
He also has rarely had any serious injuries in his career.
Count June as the top LB on the free agent list if Ruskell decides to take that path, and ignore Junes's DUI charge similarly to the way he ignored Tatupu's.
Freddy Keiaho, 26, Colts, 5-11, 226
If the Seahawks still want to improve their run defense, they should give Keiaho a call. The 26-year-old has often battled minor injuries due to his playing style: he’s a small linebacker but uses his body with reckless abandon. He’ll absolutely blow up blockers and throw his body at the running back. He's a sure tackler, recording 105 in 2008 in only 14 games. Paired with great football instincts, Keiaho should continue to improve.
Unfortunately Keiaho has also been labeled an underachiever, becoming a libability in pass coverage. He even developed some bad habits in run defense, over-pursuing the runner and lacking the ability to shed blocks against bigger, athletic linemen.
His biggest weakness may come against the pass. His frame should allow for sufficient speed to play in zone coverage, and with the right coaching he could excel in Seattle. He’s still young and has some time to learn better technique. He would fit right into the Seahawks’ Tampa-2 scheme, and shouldn’t be in any other system.
Derrick Brooks, 35, Buccaneers, 6-0, 235
A certain hall of famer, Brooks has aged gracefully, but at 35-years-old he’s not the same linebacker who would take over games. When the Seahawks take a linebacker in this years’ draft, having Brooks as a stopgap player would be perfect insurance as the team grooms their prospect. Brooks’ accolades include nine time first or second team All-Pro, 11 Pro Bowls, AP NFL defensive player of the year in 2002 and Super Bowl champion.
Having played in Tampa Bay his entire career, there is no player who knows the Tampa-2 scheme better than Brooks. He can’t transform games anymore, but he can certainly play within the system and contribute as a stopgap guy.
Reach Aaron Weinberg at nextseasonsports@gmail.com
