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Rees Odhiambo

Seahawks Place OL Rees Odhiambo On IR

November 8th, 2017 at 6:17pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Seahawks have placed offensive lineman Rees Odhiambo on injured reserve in order to clear a roster spot for newly-activated defensive lineman Dion Jordan, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times (Twitter link).Rees Odhiambo (Vertical)

Odhiambo, a 2016 third-round pick, became Seattle’s starting left tackle this year following a preseason injury to George Fant. The 25-year-old was extremely ineffective in his seven starts, however, grading as a bottom-three blindside protector, per Pro Football Focus. The Seahawks offensive line continued to struggle as a unit, ranking 16th in adjusted sack rate and 27th in adjusted line yards.

Those problems forced Seattle general manager John Schneider to make a move before the NFL’s trade deadline, and the club ultimately sent second- and third-round picks to the Texans in exchange for veteran left tackle Duane Brown. Brown started against the Redskins in Week 9 and played all 83 offensive snaps, while Odhiambo was not only relegated to the bench, but listed as inactive for Sunday’s game.

Odhiambo dealt with a serious chest injury earlier this year, but it’s a multiple hand issues — which will require surgery — that will sideline him for the rest of the season.

West Notes: Seahawks, Reddick, Chiefs

October 5th, 2017 at 7:00pm CST by Sam Robinson

Despite failing to live up to his first-round status with the Eagles, Marcus Smith said he generated considerable interest during his brief stay in free agency. Prior to signing with the Seahawks in late July, Smith said he had offers from the Packers, Chiefs and Colts, via Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. However, this Seahawks regime being interested in the then-Louisville product during the 2014 draft — with Condotta noting the team traded out of the first round after he went off the board to Philly at pick No. 26 — and former college assistant Clint Hurtt now Seattle’s defensive line coach made it a better fit than those other teams would have, Smith said.

Condotta adds Smith will now serve as the Seahawks’ first end off the bench now that Frank Clark will take the injured Cliff Avril‘s place in the starting lineup. Smith finished with 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble in his new team’s Sunday-night win over the Colts.

Here’s more out of the Pacific Northwest and other West locales in advance of Week 5.

  • Despite being hospitalized for what was viewed at the time as a scary injury, Rees Odhiambo may return to action without missing a game. Seahawks offensive line coach Tom Cable expects his starting left tackle to play on Sunday against the Rams, Condotta tweets. Odhiambo was hospitalized for what was called a chest contusion (or bruised heart) Sunday night. He’s the second Seattle left tackle starter to suffer a serious injury, joining George Fant (ACL tear) in that regard. But this serious-sounding setback may not force the Seahawks to make another change on their starting O-line.
  • One of the Cardinals‘ fallout solutions for replacing Markus Golden, lost for the season with a torn ACL, will be to experiment with first-round pick Haason Reddick at outside linebacker. Defensive coordinator James Bettcher said (via Josh Weinfuss of ESPN.com) there are packages set to be unveiled Sunday featuring Reddick as an outside linebacker. Bettcher wouldn’t confirm if Reddick is being moved outside full-time, but Weinfuss notes these packages with the rookie on the edge will be part of the solution to replacing Golden. Reddick started Arizona’s first three games at inside linebacker but went to the bench after Deone Bucannon reclaimed his job in Week 4. Bucannon and veteran Karlos Dansby are the Cards’ starting inside ‘backers, and with the team not considering a Dwight Freeney reunion, it’s possible they’re looking at this outside-the-box solution seriously.
  • The Chiefs have added interesting wrinkles to their unorthodox offense this season, and while this misidirection-based scheme resulted in some zany college-style plays and has helped the team to 4-0, it’s also probably led Alex Smith being on the injury report with an ankle issue. While Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk notes the fifth-year Chiefs starting quarterback is expected to start Sunday against the Texans, past experience — i.e. playing well prior to a 2012 injury costing him his job once Colin Kaepernick emerged — should accelerate Smith’s drive to stay on the field. That said, the polish gap between Smith and Mahomes is likely considerable at this point. A permanent switch in 2017 — one Kansas City’s brass ruled out before the season — would be considerably different than Tom Savage losing his job to Deshaun Watson, especially considering how well Smith is playing thus far.
  • The Seahawks worked out guards Willie Beavers and Cole Toner, along with tackle D.J. Tialavea, Howard Balzer of SportsOnEarth tweets. The Bengals cut Toner from their practice squad late last month. Beavers has been on the workout circuit since the Patriots cut him from theirs in early September.
  • Holding an apparent defensive backs-only audition, the Raiders worked out several secondary cogs this week. Cornerback Brian Dixon, Demetrius McCray and Deji Olatoye participated. As did ex-Giants safety Mykkele Thompson, per Balzer (on Twitter). Dixon is the biggest name of this contingent, having spent three seasons with the Saints.
  • Linebacker Josh Keyes visited both the Chargers and Colts this week, Balzer tweets. These are the first known workouts for Keyes since the Falcons cut him prior to the season.

Seahawks LT Rees Odhiambo Hospitalized With Bruised Heart

October 2nd, 2017 at 12:18pm CST by Sam Robinson

Seahawks left tackle Rees Odhiambo is in a Seattle-area hospital after suffering what Adam Schefter of ESPN.com reports (via Twitter) is a chest contusion (or bruised heart).

Odhiambo’s symptoms mimic that of a car accident, Ian Rapoport notes (on Twitter). However, Pete Carroll said the young lineman is expected to be released from the hospital Monday, Brady Henderson of ESPN.com reports. Odhiambo was experiencing trouble breathing after taking a hit to the chest during Sunday night’s game.

The 2016 third-round pick is the Seahawks’ second left tackle starter this season, taking over for George Fant after the converted basketball player was lost for the season in August. Odhiambo has started all four games this season after playing in eight as a reserve last year.

Seattle has tackle experience in left guard Luke Joeckel, whom the team considered placing at left tackle upon his arrival, and in trade acquisition Matt Tobin. However, it’s unclear how much, if any, time this injury will cause Odhiambo to miss.

Seahawks Notes: Odhiambo, Tobin, Brock

August 21st, 2017 at 8:52pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Seahawks made a trade to acquire more offensive line depth today, adding tackle Matt Tobin from the Eagles, and Seattle had been “calling around” the league in search of front five depth, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (Twitter link). General manager John Schneider & Co. were willing to offer a late-round draft pick in order to bring in an offensive lineman, and they did just that, sending a 2018 fifth-rounder to Philadelphia for Tobin and a seventh-round choice.

Here’s more from the Pacific Northwest:

  • Tobin was brought in after incumbent left tackle George Fant was lost for the season following a torn ACL, but he’s not the leading contender for Seattle’s blindside job. That title goes to second-year offensive lineman Rees Odhiambo, according to Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times. Odhiambo, a third-round pick in 2015, was a favorite of many in the draft opportunity, be barley played during his rookie campaign. In eight appearances, he saw only 33 offensive snaps and earned negative grades from Pro Football Focus.
  • The Seahawks figure to continue reshuffling their offensive line in order to find the best combination before the regular season gets underway, but those changes figure to come mostly at left tackle and right guard. Mark Glowinski will stay at right guard, per Condotta, where he’ll compete with Oday Aboushi for the starting role. Meanwhile, Seattle appears to be content with free agent signee Luke Joeckel at left guard and 2016 first-round pick Germain Ifedi at right tackle.
  • Although Tramaine Brock‘s one-year deal with the Seahawks contains no guaranteed money, the veteran corner will earn a $80K roster bonus if he earns a place on Seattle’s Week 1 roster, per Field Yates of ESPN.com (Twitter link). The Seahawks signed Brock after he was cleared of domestic violence charges, and general manager John Schneider says the club went “above and beyond” in its research into Brock’s situation, as Condotta writes in a separate piece. While Brock may be out of legal trouble, he could still be disciplined by the NFL, and Brock’s agent indicates that league process has only just begun, tweets Condotta.

NFC Notes: Locke, Seahawks, Cardinals, Bucs

May 8th, 2016 at 9:02pm CST by Sam Robinson

A fifth-round pick in 2013, Jeff Locke looks to be set to face some competition to finish out his contract with the Vikings. Minnesota is expected to add rookie punter Taylor Symmank on Monday, Chris Tomasson of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

The Vikings brought in Symmank and Nick O’Toole to compete at their rookie minicamp this weekend, but O’Toole left the Twin Cities on Sunday, while Symmank looks to be staying. Symmank averaged 46 yards per punt last season at Texas Tech. After Locke’s per-punt figure hovered at 44.2 yards in each of his first two seasons, it slunk to an NFL-worst 41.6 in 2015.

Symmank told Tomasson he’s been asked to take a physical with the Vikings, who currently have 89 players on their roster. Locke has a nonguaranteed $721K due this season.

Check out the latest from around the league as teams continue to assemble their 90-man rosters.

  • The Seahawks envision former Notre Dame running back/wide receiver C.J. Prosise becoming a potential replacement for Fred Jackson as the team’s third-down back, Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times notes. Seattle initially placed the third-round pick with the running backs to start its rookie minicamp but shuttled him into receiver drills on Sunday. Converted to running back before the 2015 season, Prosise totaled 1,337 yards from scrimmage and 12 touchdowns in 2015. “I’ve never had anyone that was a receiver that went to running back that could do both. You commit one way or the other,” Pete Carroll told media, including Condotta. “… It’s a real prize for us. I don’t really have a guy to compare him to at this point.”
  • Also from Condotta: Rees Odhiambo will compete with Mark Glowinski for the Seahawks‘ starting left guard position, and Carroll plans to use Jarran Reed at both nose tackle and 3-technique. “It’s just such a crucial pick for us,” Carroll said. “Jarran can really jump right in and give us the stout play, he’s just got a great savvy for the running game. He’ll play both spots, for sure.”
  • The Cardinals are planning to replace the still-unsigned Jerraud Powers with Justin Bethel, but given that third-round pick Brandon Williams has only played the position for one season after playing running back from 2011-14, Arizona could use a veteran corner to help lead Patrick Peterson‘s cadre of sidekicks, Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic writes. Beyond Bethel and Peterson, no Cardinal cornerback has more than one year of NFL experience. Joining Powers among the top unattached corners right now are fellow former Cardinal Antonio Cromartie, Leon Hall and Phillip Adams.
  • Although Ryan Smith lined up at cornerback in 2015 for North Carolina Central, he’s expected to work at safety for the Buccaneers, Roy Cummings of Today’s Pigskin writes. The Bucs added Vernon Hargreaves III in the first round after signing Brent Grimes in an attempt to fortify a cornerback corps that helped yield 31 touchdown passes last season and allow the second-highest quarterback rating in the league. The 5-foot-11, 198-pound Smith arrived in Tampa as the No. 108 overall pick and will compete with the likes of Chris Conte and Keith Tandy for playing time on the Bucs’ back line. Cummings identifies Bradley McDougald as a starter at either the free or strong safety spots, with his complement undecided. Pro Football Focus graded Conte as the Bucs’ best safety last season and tabbed the now-27-year-old veteran as its No. 32 safety.

NFC Draft Pick Signings: Seahawks, Lions, 49ers

May 5th, 2016 at 2:15pm CST by Luke Adams

The Seahawks and second-round pick Jarran Reed have agreed to terms on a contract, his representatives tell Adam Caplan of ESPN.com (on Twitter). The defensive tackle is scheduled to earn $4.889MM ($1.756MM signing bonus) over the life of his four-year rookie deal. Seattle is hoping that Reed will help to beef up the defensive line in the absence of Brandon Mebane.

Meanwhile, the Seahawks have also agreed to terms with guard Rees Odhiambo, as Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports tweets. The third-round pick will have a shot to win a starting job right out of the gate in Seattle.

Here are more of the latest draft pick signings from around the NFC:

  • Lions sixth-round pick Jimmy Landes, who is a strong candidate to take over the team’s long snapper job in 2016, is signing his rookie contract today, tweets Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press. Landes will receive a signing bonus just north of $100K.
  • Washington has begun securing its 2016 draft class by agreeing to a deal with seventh-round pick Steven Daniels, tweets Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. The former Boston College linebacker will be in line for a four-year contract worth about $2.581MM, including a signing bonus of $77K.
  • Former Florida running back Kelvin Taylor, one of three players drafted in the sixth round last Saturday by the 49ers, has signed his four-year deal with San Francisco, per Rand Getlin of the NFL Network (Twitter link). Taylor, the son of longtime Jaguars running back Fred Taylor, isn’t the only draftee locked up by San Francisco — the team also reached an agreement with sixth-round quarterback Jeff Driskel, per Aaron Wilson (Twitter link).
  • The Packers have completed their deal with fifth-round wide receiver Trevor Davis, a source tells Rob Demovksy of ESPN.com. Davis will be competing for a spot on a crowded receiving corps in Green Bay this summer.

Zach Links contributed to this post.

AFC Notes: Kaepernick, Chargers, Ferguson, Fins

April 9th, 2016 at 3:29pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Broncos‘ precise pursuit of Colin Kaepernick doesn’t have an expiration date, Troy Renck of the Denver Post reports, with the employment of Mark Sanchez going on a month and some other trade targets — like Mike Glennon, Brian Hoyer and Josh McCown — populating No. 2 spots on various depth charts.

Both Hoyer and McCown figure to be much easier to land than Kaepernick.

Sanchez has already assimilated quickly with his new team in taking a cast of receivers to Mission Viejo, Calif., for informal workouts, just as he did with the Jets and Eagles in recent years. Sanchez’s workouts were more star-studded than Peyton Manning‘s last Duke summit, with both Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders showing up. Of course, Thomas was skipping official and Manning-suggested workouts last year due to being franchise-tagged. But Sanchez assembling both starters, along with a cadre of contributors, is somewhat impressive still.

At some point during the spring, though, the Broncos and 49ers would need to decide if this will work since Kaepernick will have to learn a new system regardless of where he plays this season. The 28-year-old passer didn’t have a good year in 2015, and the longer this drags out, the harder it will be to take command of a new offense, whether it’s in San Francisco or Denver.

  • The Chargers are meeting with another citizens initiative Monday to potentially help streamline their proposal for a downtown stadium, Lori Weisberg of the San Diego Union-Tribune reports. This group’s measure would call for a 15.5% hotel tax hike — as opposed to the other initiative’s 16.5% bump — but also bars public funds from being used to finance this long-sought-after venture.
  • D’Brickashaw Ferguson composed a letter thanking Jets fans for their support during his 10-year career. The 32-year-old tackle does not sound like he’ll be backtracking on this decision.
  • The Dolphins are interested in Boise State offensive lineman Rees Odhiambo as a second- or third-day selection, James Walker of ESPN.com tweets. Odhiambo projects as a guard, a position at which the Dolphins are the weakest up front. Odhiambo has also been connected to the Colts, Buccaneers, Vikings and Seahawks in the form of pre-draft visits and workouts.

Draft Rumors: Stanley, Nkemdiche, Cowboys, Bills, Bucs, Bills

April 5th, 2016 at 9:08am CST by Zachary Links

Ronnie Stanley of Notre Dame is considered by most as a top 10 lock, but not all teams agree, Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net writes (for PhiladelphiaEagles.com). Some scouts are worried about the left tackle’s athleticism and others just see him as flat out overrated, and that’s causing his stock to drop. It’s possible then that Stanley will go from the top 10 to somewhere in the middle of the first round.

Here are the latest draft rumors from around the NFL:

  • Ole Miss defensive end Robert Nkemdiche will meet with the Jaguars on Wednesday and the Ravens on Thursday, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com (on Twitter). Nkemdiche met with Arizona on Monday and will check in with Oakland today.
  • Louisville defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins is visiting the Bills, Buccaneers, and Cowboys this week, as Mike Garafolo of FOX Sports tweets. Garafolo wonders if Dallas might be considering a trade back from No. 4 to take Rankins.
  • Indiana left tackle Jason Spriggs is gaining momentum and “several personnel people believe he’s a lock to be selected in the bottom third of round one,” Pauline writes.
  • Rees Odhiambo will take visits with the Buccaneers, Seahawks, and Dolphins and has a workout with the Saints, per Rapoport (on Twitter).
  • Former Michigan quarterback Jake Rudock has worked out for Patriots, Lions, Ravens and Vikings, as Michael Rothstein of ESPN.com writes. He’s also scheduled to meet with the Dolphins this week.
  • Middle Tennessee State defensive back Kevin Byard will work out for the Panthers on Tuesday, visit the Falcons on Wednesday, visit the Chiefs on Thursday, and visit the Packers on Friday, as Wilson tweets.
  • Texas-El Paso defensive end Roy Robertson-Harris will visit the Raiders and Chiefs and work out for the Bears and Vikings, Wilson tweets.
  • Southern Mississippi offensive lineman Norman Price is generating some buzz as of late, Pauline writes.
  • Western Kentucky cornerback Prince Charles Iworah is vaulting up draft boards and could land in the fourth round, Pauline writes.

Pauline’s Latest: Titans, Steelers, Falcons

March 31st, 2016 at 6:31pm CST by Zachary Links

Here’s a look at the latest news from Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net (via WalterFootball.com):

  • Boise State outside linebacker/defensive end Kamalei Correa met with the Titans on Wednesday and had dinner with the Steelers on Wednesday night. Pauline hears that the Steelers are considering Correa as a late first-round pick. Some believe the Steelers will take the best defensive back seven player (safety/cornerback/linebacker) when they pick in the first round.
  • The Falcons had their entire front office on hand at today’s Boise State pro day to watch Correa and Darian Thompson, according to Pauline.
  • Thompson worked out for the Eagles on Monday and met with the Titans on Wednesday. He also has official visits set up with the Steelers and Panthers next week.
  • The Dolphins, Seahawks, Bears, and Steelers all had offensive line coaches on hand to watch Boise State offensive lineman Rees Odhiambo. Odhiambo met with the Colts on Wednesday and he’ll do an official visit with the Vikings.
  • The Seahawks also like Boise State center Marcus Henry.
  • Cornerback Donte Deayon is drawing interest from the Colts and Browns and is taking an official visit to the Giants.
  • German receiver Moritz Boehringer‘s had a strong showing at Florida Atlantic’s pro day. One scout told Pauline that Boehringer is a “legitimate prospect” while another said he could go as early as the fourth round. The wide receiver had dinner with the Vikings on Wednesday night.
  • FAU defensive lineman Trevon Coley met with the Vikings, Titans, Lions and Browns and has a workout with the Dolphins coming up. Pauline hears that he impressed scouts on Thursday.

Draft Rumors: Cravens, Lions, Dolphins, Raiders

March 30th, 2016 at 8:58pm CST by Zachary Links

USC safety/linebacker Su’a Cravens says he has six visits lined up and another eight potentially on the horizon as well, Mike Florio of PFT writes. In addition to the previously reported teams with interest, Cravens says he will visit the the Lions, Raiders, and Dolphins.

Here are the latest draft rumors:

  • Maryland outside linebacker Yannick Ngakoue said he has visits scheduled with the Jaguars, Eagles, Titans, and Jets, according to Daniel Gallen of The Baltimore Sun (on Twitter). Tony Pauline of DraftInsider.net (on Twitter) adds that the Bills and Browns both met with him today.
  • Boise State lineman Rees Odhiambo will meet with the 49ers, Saints, and Buccaneers in the next couple of weeks, agent Ron Slavin tells Jay Tust of KTVB (on Twitter).
  • Ohio State safety Vonn Bell has (or has had) meetings, workouts and/or visits with the Jets, Patriots, Panthers, and Giants, Rand Getlin of Yahoo Sports tweets.
  • South Carolina offensive lineman Brandon Shell says he has individual workouts coming up with the Panthers, Ravens, and 49ers, David Caraviello of the Post And Courier tweets.
  • Alabama linebacker Reggie Ragland told SiriusXM NFL Radio (on Twitter) that he has probably heard the most from the Bears, Falcons, Saints, and Dolphins. He also confirmed personal workouts with the Bears, Colts, Ravens, Jaguars, Vikings, Rams, and the Bills.
  • Pitt wide receiver Tyler Boyd confirmed that he has had workouts with the Cowboys, Patriots, Chargers, and Rams (Twitter link via SiriusXM). He’ll also have formal visits with the Panthers and Cowboys next week.
  • Cincinnati wide receiver Chris Moore has visits/workouts scheduled with the Buccaneers, Panthers, Texans, Eagles, and Bengals, Jenna Laine of Sports Talk 1040 tweets.
  • Defensive line coaches from the Eagles, Titans, Steelers, and Bengals put Javon Hargrave through a workout which lasted almost 45 minutes, according to Tony Pauline for Walter Football.
  • The Cardinals are bringing in linebacker Victor Ochi for an official visit, Pauline writes.