Seahawks add Tukuafu, finally have fix their fullback problem

The Seattle Seahawks re-signed Will Tukuafu today, bringing an end to their search for a competent fullback.

It has been a weird summer for the Seattle Seahawks at fullback. After carrying two fullbacks last year, they had none on the roster through two preseason games. Instead, they’ve been trying to convert defensive tackles, tight ends, linebackers, and running backs. It hasn’t worked.

That all ended today, as the Seahawks re-signed a familiar face. Will Tukuafu, the starter last season, re-signed today.

To make room on the roster, the team waived John Asoma. He was the guy who got the bulk of the FB snaps the first two preseason games. This move makes it clear that the job belongs to Tukuafu.

If you look back at my projected 53 man roster, you’ll notice that Asoma wasn’t listed. That wasn’t an oversight. While he was the best of the available options, but still didn’t look like a guy deserving of a roster spot.

The main reason why Asoma was the odd man out was because he didn’t have another position to go back to. Kyle Coleman can go back to linebacker; Tani Tupou can go back defensive tackle. Asoma had no other positional value.

Tukuafu adds some extra beef to the run blocking. He’s a 290 pound former defensive end that absolutely overpowers linebackers. The team also wasn’t afraid to use him as a tight end or an H-back when necessary.

It probably shouldn’t be a surprise that the Seattle made this move today. The offense was stuffed on both 3nd-and-1 and 4-and-1 on Thursday. They ran both plays without a fullback.

The Seahawks are also now dealing with potentially losing rookie TE Nick Vannett for a few weeks. He suffered a high ankle sprain on Thursday. Vannett was the team’s best-blocking TE by a wide margin.

Next: Lots of positive despite poor outcome vs. Vikings

And thus Tukuafu is back. I’m just curious as to what took them so long to get this done.