Webster Officially Leaves for Tennessee

The Seahawks announced today that Ruston Webster has accepted a position with the Tennessee Titans. The departure was anticipated, but today’s announcement made it official.

Webster, who had been the interim general manager following Tim Ruskell’s removal, was the Vice President of Player Personnel in Seattle and is expected to fill a similar role in Tennessee.

“On behalf of Mr. Allen, Tod Leiweke, coach Carroll and the entire Seahawks family, I want to wish Ruston Webster, his wife Gayle and their family the best in their new endeavor with the Tennessee Titans,” John Schneider said earlier, very complimentary of Webster and his contributions to the franchise.

“They are a great family and will be missed by the Seattle community. I personally want to thank Ruston for all of the hard work prior to the 2010 draft, as well as previous drafts with Tim Ruskell. Not only are the Titans getting an excellent football person, they are getting an even more impressive individual.”

Ruston Webster is highly regarded around the National Football League as a talent evaluator, but his tenure in Seattle was associated with former General Manager Tim Ruskell. Webster’s departure is one more step towards completely moving past the Tim Ruskell era in Seattle.

Speaking of Webster’s relationship with Ruskell back in 2006, NFLDraftScout.com’s Senior Draft Analyst Rob Rang said, “He and Ruskell seem to share similar philosophies on grading prospects. Both have the ability to locate players outside of the first few rounds that fit the specific requirements of the schemes their coaches prefer. Each also shows the ability to accurately project the board, maneuvering through the draft to address positions of need, while still maintaining value. The fact that two of Ruskell’s additions to the Seahawks [in 2005], defensive end Joe Tafoya and safety John Howell, were among Webster’s first class as collegiate scouting director speaks of their alignment in the scouting process.”

In addition to Webster’s departure, the Seahawks also announced a pair of promotions.

Scott Fitterer, previously the Western Region Director of College Scouting, has been promoted to Director of College Scouting. Fitterer originally joined Seattle’s staff in 2001 as an area scout.

Eric Stokes, who had been a Midwest area scout, has been promoted Assistant Director. Stokes has been scouting for the Seattle Seahawks for just over a decade prior to his promotion. Some fans may remember Stokes from earlier in his career; as a defensive back, he was drafted in 1997 by the Seattle Seahawks in the fifth round. He was the third player chosen by Seattle after Walter Jones and Shawn Springs.

Shaun Dolence: dolencesm@gmail.com
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