From Red Bryant and Brandon Mebane to Sheldon Richardson, Tom Johnson and Shamar Stephen, the Seattle Seahawks have long prioritized having a veteran defensive tackle capable of rotating in and playing the role of run-stuffer under coach Pete Carroll.
With Stephen’s departure in free agency this offseason, the Seahawks had to find a veteran to fill that role heading into 2019, and they got their guy when they inked 32-year-old Al Woods to a one-year deal.
“We really love having the experienced big guys that we’ve had over the years,” coach Pete Carroll commented after OTAs on Tuesday. “We kind of have a role for those guys, and Al is that guy. He’s 340 something pounds and he’s a monster out there, he plays with a really high motor. So we’re counting on his experience first, and his savviness to add to a young bunch of guys.”
At 32, Woods is the oldest defensive tackle on Seattle’s roster by six years. And while his experience will play a big part in helping the Seahawks’ younger defensive tackles, including Jarran Reed, Poona Ford and rookie DeMarcus Christmas, Woods can also contribute on the football field as well.
“He’s also big and strong and plays hard,” Carroll continued. “So we can see a role for him. We’ve used guys in that role in year’s past and look forward to having him part of it.”
Woods, who has primarily played nose tackle but can play three-technique as well, will give Seattle another solid run-stuffer to plug in on running situations. Although he’s limited as a pass-rusher, Woods shouldn’t have any issue carving out a significant role on this Seattle defense during the 2019 season.
