Seahawks Rookie Switches Sides

Seahawks 2012 draft pick  J.R. Sweezy started at defensive tackle for two years at North Carolina State. As a Seahawk, he’s moving to the offensive line. Has he tackled anyone at practice yet?

“Are they serious?” Those are the exact thoughts that J.R. Sweezy had when told that the Seattle Seahawks were drafting him to play offensive guard. he found out how serious the Seahawks were when Assistant Head Coach-Offensive Line Coach Tom Cable showed up for a visit.

Seahawks Insider Clare Farnsworth has more at seahawks.com:

“I knew they were serious after talking to coach Cable,” Sweezy said this week, when the team’s draft choices are wrapping up their offseason program before heading to Ohio for the NFL Rookie Symposium and then their extended break before training camp opens in late July.

“We hit it off real well. We talked for a while. He told me about the team and I realized I wanted to be a part of this. Luckily, I have the opportunity. I’ve been blessed enough that they gave me the opportunity to do it.”

So, now in his sixth week of life on the other side of the line, how is the transition going for the seventh-round draft choice? It’s one thing to switch from defense to offense in college. It’s something completely different when you’re doing it at the highest level of the game.

“It’s good. I’m adjusting well,” Sweezy said. “It’s different, as I’ve said in every interview. It’s really different. It’s different from everything I’ve pretty much been taught my whole life.”

So far, he’s made it through practice without once tackling the ball carrier he was blocking for, or returning to the defensive huddle after the play was over.

This will be a very interesting summer for J.R. Sweezy.

Read the complete story here.

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