PHOENIX -- What better place to get some insight into two of the Seahawks' additions on the offensive line this offseason than from their former coaches?
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone and Houston Texans head coach Bill O'Brien gave their impressions of Luke Joeckel and Oday Aboushi on Tuesday morning at the NFL owner's meetings.
While Marrone is the newly appointed head coach of the Jaguars, he coached Joeckel on Jacksonville's offensive line the last two seasons. Aboushi played his last two years with O'Brien in Houston.
Joeckel is the biggest signing of Seattle's free agent period. He signed a one-year deal worth up to $8 million with $7 million guaranteed earlier this month.
"Yeah. I spent two years with Luke. I do like Luke. He's had some injuries, unfortunately, but he's probably one of the hardest working people I've been around," Marrone said. "Really cares about the way he plays. I told him I wish him nothing but the best, obviously except for just one game. He can have 15 great games and hopefully he just doesn't have a great game against one team that he plays. But I think you'll enjoy him. Really great kid. Great man. Great wife.
"I think he's got flexibility, can play multiple positions, a heck of an athlete. I think he works extremely hard and is a very young player. People have tended to forget that part about how young he is from an age standpoint. I wish him nothing but the best. He did the best job he could for us and I know we appreciate that."
Joeckel, 25, has appeared in 39 career games over the last four seasons in Jacksonville. He's played both tackle spots and left guard for the Jaguars as well.
So does Joeckel have a position he's better suited for?
"I think we were just trying to put the best five out there," Marrone said of their moving of Joeckel. "I think he can play both (guard and tackle). I think he can play both well. I know Tom (Cable). Tom is a heck of a coach up there and I think he'll do a great job with him. I'm sure Tom will put him in the best position that he feels is best for Seattle."
Aboushi, 25, appeared in 11 games and made eight starts for Houston over the last two seasons. He's played in 26 career games with 18 starts when including his two seasons with the New York Jets.
"Tough guy," O'Brien said. "Another guy that is a good team guy. He's played a lot of different roles for us. Played guard, played tackle for us sometimes in practice. I think we even tried him at one point at being an extra tight end for blocking purposes. The thing about Oday is he's tough. He'll practice every day. He'll show up every day. He's kind of a lunch pail type of guy and I've got a lot of respect for Oday."
Photo Credit: Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone discusses his impressions of new Seahawks OL Luke Joeckel at the NFL Owner's Meetings in Phoenix, Ariz. on March 28, 2017. (photo by Curtis Crabtree / Sports Radio 950 KJR)