Unger subs for Spencer as Mora shakes up line
ERIC D. WILLIAMS; The News Tribune
Renton – After saying he would make changes to the offensive line after the group’s poor performance against Houston last week, Seattle Seahawks coach Jim Mora followed through on Wednesday.
Max Unger, a second-round draft pick out of the University of Oregon, was moved from right guard to center, and starting center Chris Spencer was bumped to Unger’s former spot, where he will split time with second-year player Mike Gibson.
“We’re going to be proactive at this time up front, make moves that we hope and think can help this football team improve and get better, not just this week but for the future, and we need to see what we’ve got,” Mora said. “Now is the perfect time to do that. I spoke to Chris at length about this. He was certainly disappointed, because he’s a competitor. He’s a guy that in his life has overcome many, many, many obstacles, and I think this is just another one that he’ll overcome.”
Unger played two years at center for Oregon before joining Seattle this season. He was drafted because of his ability to play both guard and center. He played center during three NFL exhibition games, but never with starting quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, so he’ll have to get familiar with the starter quickly in order to be ready to play Sunday against Tampa Bay.
Seahawks offensive coordinator Greg Knapp said the coaching staff decided on the moves because Spencer, who has an injured right thumb, struggled to snap with his left hand. Seattle had three botched snaps against Houston.
“It’s a good opportunity for Max to play center for us,” said Knapp, who reviewed recordings of the exhibition games to see how Unger performed. “… He played quite a bit of snaps and did a fine job, so that was encouraging to review. And this is the reason why he came, was to help compete at the center position for us.”
Unger said it’s not exactly the best way to start a new position, but he’ll try to make the best of it.
“I really enjoyed playing guard, and I really got comfortable there,” Unger said. “It’s an opportunity, yeah, but at the same time I started however many games (13) at right guard and I definitely feel the best there.
“And having one week to prepare isn’t exactly what I wanted. No one really wanted it to go down exactly like this, but it’s kind of what we have to do.”
The change at center might not be the only position on the offensive line up for grabs. Mora would like to see improvement from Sean Locklear, who will remain the starter at left tackle. But Mora said he’s challenging Locklear to play better this week. Meanwhile, he will be pushed by veteran Damion McIntosh.
“I want to see him take a right end and keep him away from our quarterback for the entire game,” Mora said about Locklear. “That’s what I want to see. I want to see him when we run the football knock someone on his (rear). When we run the football away, I want to see him cut someone down. That’s what I want to see. I want to see some nastiness.”
Locklear said with the changes and Mora’s harsh words in recent days, the offensive linemen understand they have to perform better.
“He’s upset,” Locklear said about Mora. “He’s angry, and rightfully so. We went down there (to Houston) and from the opening snap we got embarrassed. And he told us. We all knew it. We don’t need to be told that. We were on the field playing. So he’s upset. He’s been upset. Even now he’s still got a chip on his shoulder. So we all got to take it to heart, and get ready for Sunday.”
Dirt bags wanted
When asked about the toughness of his team along the offensive line, Mora responded by saying he needed more guys up front with a “dirt bag” mentality.
“If you’re going to be a good offensive lineman, I think you’ve got to be – can I say it? – you’ve got to be a little bit of a dirt bag,” Mora said. “Not as a person, but on the football field.
“In the pit, where all that stuff goes down, if you don’t have some freakin’ toughness, you’re going to fail.”
Mora later qualified his dirt bag comment, reiterating that it only pertains to play on the field.
“I don’t mean a guy that goes out and drinks and drives and speeds, or is bad to women or treats people poorly – you understand what I’m saying?” he said. “I’m talking about within the confines of those six seconds between the snap and the whistle, is a dirt bag.”
Extra points
Linebacker
Aaron Curry (hip) was limited in practice Wednesday, and wide receiver
Nate Burleson (ankle) is out this week. Mora said they will evaluate whether or not Burleson will return for the last three games of the season. …
Deion Branch will replace Burleson in the starting lineup. … Linebacker
D.D. Lewis (knee), who did not play against Houston, was a full participant in practice. … Quarterback
Matt Hasselbeck, who has been limited in practice in recent weeks with a sore shoulder, fully participated.
Eric D. Williams: 253-597-8437
eric.williams@thenewstribune.com
blog.thenewstribune.com/seahawks
