Last season looked like it was shaping up to be a good one for Seahawks defensive end Red Bryant.
He signed a five-year contract with the team during the offseason and many predicted an even bigger breakout season than the one Bryant had in 2011 when he became the linchpin of the Seahawks’ defensive line. Things didn’t wind up working out that way, however. Bryant hurt his foot and found that former defensive coordinator Gus Bradley had him in a role that wasn’t a good fit for his abilities.
Bryant finished the year with 24 tackles and no sacks, but says that he’s now back to health and that he’s excited to be playing for Bradley’s replacement Dan Quinn. Quinn was Bryant’s defensive line coach before moving to the University of Florida and Bryant explains that Quinn’s return has also meant Bryant’s return to a role he thinks will make him the “top five technique” defensive end in the NFL.
“It’s been great getting DQ (Dan Quinn) back because there’s familiarity there,” Bryant said, via Eric D. Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune. “There’s just some subtle changes in terms of how he’s going to play me. He’s basically putting me back to where I’m going to be on the tackle the majority of the time, in a phone booth and just getting back to the basics of playing heavy on a guy and just being disruptive.”
A return of the disruptive and effective Bryant would be a big plus early in the season for the Seahawks. With Bruce Irvin suspended and Chris Clemons’ status uncertain due to a torn ACL, the team will need a better Bryant than they got last season. Bryant believes they’ll be getting one.