Seahawks sign Sealver Siliga: What it means
By Keith Myers
The Seattle Seahawks took the first step in their journey to replace Brandon Mebane, signing Sealver Siliga to a one-year deal.
The Seattle continue to bargain shop on the free agent market. Today they added DT Sealver Siliga, to go along with their earlier signing of OT Bradley Sowell.
You might remember Siliga was the player the Seahawks received from Denver when they traded away John Moffitt in 2013. He was later cut, and ultimately landed in New England. Siliga was with the Patriots when they played against Seattle in Super Bowl 49.
Siliga is a rather extreme one-dimensional player. He a big body that never moves off his spot; that is true no matter who is trying to move him, even if it is himself. He’s a tremendous run stuffer, but he offers absolutely nothing at rushing the passer.
Siliga wins with strength at the point of attack. He is best suiting for 2-gapping, which is why he’ll make a good partial Mebane replacement. Megan’s ability to control two gaps was a big part of Seattle’s run defense.
And that is also why he is available. Today’s NFL isn’t one that values run stuffers. With teams passing the ball more than ever, there is little need for players like Siliga.
And yet, Pete Carroll has never been one to follow convention when it comes to roster building. Red Bryant was a very similar player to Siliga, and the Seahawks played him at defensive end.
One interesting aspect of this signing is that he does not factor in the compensatory pick formula. Siliga was set to be a restricted free agent, but not not tendered a contract by the Patriots. That means the Seahawks won’t lose a potential draft pick by adding him.
It is also important to note that Siliga signed for just one season. The Seahawks don’t see him as long-term solution at this point. He is here to give the team some flexibility, and because they know it may take them until next year to find Mebane’s eventual replacement.