Defining Expectations For 2013: JR Sweezy

Dec 16, 2012; Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Seattle Seahawks guard J.R. Sweezy (64) in play against the Buffalo Bills at the Rogers Centre. Seahawks beat the Bills 50-17. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

JR Sweezy isn’t exactly a popular Seahawk. His feel-good story from training camp in 2012 quickly turned into a nightmare for Seahawks fans. Sweezy worked hard and did his best, but a guy who’d never played on the offensive line in his life had no business starting at RG for the Seahawks.

Sweezy was a drive killer in 2012. He couldn’t pass block, and often blocked the wrong player in the running game, especially early in the season. Unfortunately, that is what happens when you ask a defensive tackle to play offensive guard.

But that was last year.

I’ve read a number of comments where Sweezy is referred to as a “failed experiment. That is simply untrue. The experiment wont be over until the 2014 season. At this point we’re still in the early stages of things, and so far things are looking pretty good for the converted DT.

This likely wont be a popular opinion, but I expect Sweezy to win the starting RG job during training camp. And I don’t mean he’ll be handed the position either. Paul McQuistan and John Moffitt both have a stake in this process, but I expect the job to belong to Sweezy when when the games finally begin.

Sweezy simply possesses an athleticism that none of the other options at RG possess. He stronger, quicker and more powerful. What he lacks is technique, experience, and general know-how for the position Those are 3 things where Sweezy will be much improved 2013.

This time last year, Sweezy was just learning the basics (and I mean BASICS! Like where to line up, who to block on the simple plans, etc.). That’s no longer an issue this time around. He can now concentrate on technique details like footwork and how to use his hand properly, as well as blocking assignments on the more complex blitz situations.

This 2nd training camp is going to be huge for his development as an offensive player. I expect that we’ll see him take a major step forward as a player, and once that happens he’s going to hold that starting RG job for very long time.