Castoff Raheem Brock fills niche for Seattle Seahawks

Published on October 30, 2010 by Seahawks.Com News (Feed)     

Looking for a pass-rushing specialist to pair with Chris Clemons, the Seattle Seahawks appear to have found their man in Raheem Brock.

Playing about half of the defensive snaps, mostly in passing situations, the 32-year-old, nine-year veteran has three sacks and seven quarterback hurries in six games and is tied for second on the team in sacks with safety Lawyer Milloy.

Clemons leads the Seahawks with 51/2 sacks.

Fellow defensive end Red Bryant has been a force in stopping the run on early downs, helping the Seahawks hold opponents to 77.5 yards a game on the ground, second in the league. But the 320-pound run stuffer usually gives way to Brock in obvious passing situations, and the Temple product has made the most of his chances.

“They’ve been coming up with great game plans throughout the week and calling good plays during the game,” Brock said. “And we’re just going out and executing like we’re supposed to. So everybody’s on the same page, and we’re just out there having fun.”

Brock took a circuitous route to Seattle. After two Super Bowl appearances and eight years in Indianapolis, he asked for his release from the Colts because he was looking for more pass-rushing opportunities and didn’t think they would come behind Pro Bowl players Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis.

And so Brock signed with Tennessee in the offseason, only to find the Titans stacked with defensive ends.

The Titans released Brock during final cuts in September. He quickly was gobbled up by the Seahawks, who were looking for a backup for Clemons at the Leo position, the team’s pass-rushing specialist.

With 104 career starts and 311/2 sacks, Brock fit the bill, serving as another example of the ability of general manager John Schneider and the rest of his personnel department to find players with unique skills to fill specific roles for Seattle.

“It’s similar to what I was doing in Indy, so I’ve just had to get comfortable with the defense and being able to understand the defense, and trying not to confuse the plays with what I’ve been doing for the last eight years in Indy,” Brock said.

“But it’s basically the same things I was doing in Indy, trying to get to the quarterback and trying to make plays.”

At 6-foot-4 and 274 pounds, Brock gives Seattle’s defense another versatile defender who can play defensive end, defensive tackle and even a little linebacker.

“I knew (defensive line coach) Danny Quinn was really fired up about the chance to get him and brought it to our attention, so we went after him,” Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said. “He’s been a real good addition, a real active pass rusher, very mobile guy, good attitude about loving the pass rush and bringing it. … He brings quite an array of moves and things that he demonstrates and helps the young guys learn. I think he’s been a great addition for us.”

Brock even tried out a bit of acting late in the game in Seattle’s win over Arizona last week, doing his best Vlade Divac impersonation and flopping when Cardinals quarterback Derek Anderson pushed him after an incomplete pass. Brock was flagged for 15 yards on the play for unsportsmanlike conduct for taunting, giving Arizona a first down.

“He pushed me, so I did a flop,” Brock said, chuckling. “I’ve been working on my acting, but obviously it’s not that good yet.”

Tags: Bowl Appearances, Chris Clemons, Circuitous Route, Defensive Ends, Dwight Freeney, Game Plans, Great Game, Having Fun, John Schneider, Lawyer Milloy, Offseason, Personnel Department, Pound Run, pro bowl, Raheem Brock, Robert Mathis, Sacks, SEATTLE SEAHAWKS, Six Games, Stuffer