RENTON — The Seahawks made their offensive line the top priority in this year’s draft, and now that free agency has begun, they are continuing to upgrade the line.
Robert Gallery, a veteran left guard who has spent his entire seven-year career in Oakland, agreed in principle to a three-year deal with the Seahawks Wednesday according to his agent, and is expected to make the deal official when free agents can start signing contracts Friday.
Gallery, 31, has been viewed as a likely target for the Seahawks ever since they made former Raiders coach Tom Cable their offensive line coach in the offseason. Cable’s relationship with Gallery, Seattle’s need at left guard and the fact that Gallery said he wasn’t going back to Oakland led many to assume this move would eventually happen.
A 6-foot-7, 325-pound bruiser known for his run blocking, Gallery came into the league as the No. 2 pick in the 2004 draft. Back then he was a tackle and was expected to become a perennial Pro Bowl player at left tackle. Things didn’t work out for Gallery at that position, but he was able to reinvent himself as a guard, and is now expected to upgrade a line that struggled last year through injuries and inconsistent play.
Gallery also will give Seattle a much-needed veteran presence on what projects to be a very young line. After drafting tackle James Carpenter in the first round and guard John Moffitt in the third, Cable said he projected a starting line that included those two on the right side, third year player Max Unger at center — and remember, Unger missed almost all of last year with a toe injury — and last year’s top pick Russell Okung, at left tackle. Even with the experience of Gallery in the mix, that line will need time to come together. Of those five linemen, no two have played a single regular season snap together.
Seahawks lose free agents Mare, Herring
Olindo Mare, Seattle’s kicker for the past three seasons, will sign with the Carolina Panthers according to multiple reports. Mare was signed in 2008 and beat out rookie Brandon Coutu for the job. Coutu was still around in 2009, however Mare won the job again, and enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career, missing just two field goals. Mare, 38, was solid again in 2010, making 25 of 30 field goals. His strong leg also helped Seattle have one of the best kick-coverage units in the league. With Mare gone, Seattle agreed to a deal with undrafted rookie free agent Wes Byrum, who kicked at Auburn.
Linebacker Will Herring also is leaving, having agreed to a deal with the New Orleans Saints, according to the New Orleans Times-Picayune. Herring started seven games in four seasons for Seattle, including six in 2009. While he wasn’t a regular starter, he saw frequent playing time as a nickel back, and was a valuable backup who could play all three positions. Herring also was a mainstay on Seattle’s special team units.
Receiver Brandon Stokley is also on his way out to sign with the Washington Redskins, though it was not expected that the Seahawks would make a run at the 35-year-old who joined the team last season, largely because of his knowledge of the since-fired Jeremy Bates’ offense.
Seahawks keep Matt McCoy
Linebacker Matt McCoy, who signed with Seattle last season and led the team in special teams tackles, agreed to a one-year deal, his agent said.
Cancel the Matt Leinart-Pete Carroll reunion tour
Reports swirled Tuesday that former USC quarterback Matt Leinart would be signing with the Seahawks — ESPN even reported a deal was done at one point — but a day later he agreed to a deal that will keep him in Houston. That leaves the Seahawks with two veteran quarterbacks under contract — Tarvaris Jackson and Charlie Whitehurst — and two undrafted rookie, Zach Lee and Josh Portis.
Herald Writer John Boyle: jboyle@heraldnet.com. For more Seahawks coverage, check out the Seahawks blog at heraldnet.com/seahawksblog
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