Could Richie Incognito be a fit for Seahawks?

Controversial veteran guard Richie Incognito is a free agent, and just might be a good solution for the line-challenged Seattle Seahawks.

There are very likely a good number of you who have already decided you disagree with the premise of this post. I can already hear the cries of “Oh HELL no!!!!” from Vancouver to…… Vancouver. But the reality is this; the Seahawks are likely to have three, and potentially four new starters up front as they set about rebuilding the offensive line. And Richie Incognito could just be a significant part of the solution.

First, some history on the player, and in Incognito’s case we need to divide it into categories:

THE GOOD:

• First offensive lineman in University of Nebraska history to start the season opener as a freshman.
• Freshman All American in 2002.
• First team All Big 12 in 2003.
• Posted some of the most impressive O-line numbers you’ll ever see at the scouting combine. 4.84 second 40 yard dash, 29 bench reps, and a 32 on the Wonderlic test.
• 2 time Pro Bowler (2012, 2015)
• Named first team All NFL guard by Pro Football Focus.

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THE BAD:

• Career at Nebraska beset by behavioral and anger-management issues. He was thrown out of his fourth college game for fighting and forced to miss half of the Cornhuskers next game per NCAA rules. In 2003 he was suspended from the team for fighting in practice. Accused of spitting on two Michigan State players in 2003 Alamo Bowl despite going through anger management classes after his suspension. And in 2004 he was found guilt of assault after a fight at a party. Later that year, during his junior season, Incognito was suspended indefinitely for violation of team rules, and after yet another locker room fight he was kicked off the team. He then transferred to Oregon, but was dismissed by then coach Mike Bellotti after only a week.
• During the 2009 season, Incognito was released by the Rams mid season due to a number of personal foul penalties and clashes with coaches.

THE UGLY:

• In a high profile case in 2013 Incognito and other members of the Miami Dolphins were investigated for alleged bullying and racist treatment towards teammate Jonathan Martin. Incognito was ultimately released by the Dolphins and suspended for most of the 2014. He failed to sign with a team during that time and said recently he thought his career in football was over.

But then things calmed down, and during his league-mandated downtime Incognito sought help and returned to the league on a one-year deal with Buffalo. He acted and sounded like a changed man, with nary a sniff of negative attention during the season.

The thing that I learned to improve is to treat everyone with respect. Treat everyone how I want to be treated. And just kind of grow and learn from there.” Richie Incognito

And on the field, he may have put together his best season. At his best, Incognito is an exceptionally athletic lineman capable of pulling and getting to the second level. And the very mind-set that has got him into so much trouble is also one of his biggest assets when he can keep it between the lines and before the whistle. He’s a mauler, a brutally physical blocker. And this is where the Seahawks may come into play.

General Manager John Schneider has said on the record that the team needs to get more physical up front, an odd introspective moment of brutal honesty given that his team is built on a foundation of a stout defense and a commitment to the running game. No one would instantly add more toughness to Tom Cable’s unit than Incognito.

And if you’re thinking that the 305 pound Incognito doesn’t neatly fit the bigger mold Cable prefers in his LG’s (320-330 lbs) you’re right, but there’s the rub. Incognito has played quite a bit of center in his career, most recently in 2010 with Miami.

Is there any chance this could happen? Who knows? I’ve seen plenty of conjecture that the Hawks could be willing to take on a veteran OL or two on short term deals this season to patch up the unit while some of their promising, young candidates continue to develop. Given his age (33 in June) and behavioral history, it’s hard to imagine Incognito getting anywhere near the upper end of the salary scale for guards or centers.

Next: Five positions the Seahawks must address in free agency

Still skeptical? It’s understandable if you are. But for a team that may very well have missed out on a third straight trip to the Super Bowl specifically because of the poor play of their offensive line, signing Richie Incognito could make a lot of sense.