Tom Cable discusses Rees Odhiambo, Matt Tobin, left tackle situation

Indianapolis Colts v Philadelphia Eagles

RENTON -- When it comes to finding a replacement for George Fant at left tackle, offensive line coach Tom Cable said there's realistically only three options. 

Rees Odhiambo, Matt Tobin and Luke Joeckel.

That also comes with the caveat that Cable really would like to keep Joeckel at left guard.

"My wish, my want is to try and keep as much of it intact as possible," Cable said after practice on Tuesday.

Cable said that the Seahawks struggled with continuity last season as they had too many moving pieces across the line. This year, he's looking to keep things more intact.

"When they’ve played together, it’s been really good," Cable said of his starting unit. "Early in San Diego  and then that first half last week. Pretty good football."

That unit includes Joeckel at left guard, Justin Britt at center and Germain Ifedi at right tackle. The right guard battle between Oday Aboushi and Mark Glowinski is continuing on for now and the Fant injury has reopened the left tackle spot. But Cable doesn't want to turn it into a game of musical chairs.

"You go back 12 months and I think there was too much of that," Cable said. Nothing really we could handle then, it just had to be that way. But, this year, we have choices. We have the opportunity to keep as much of it intact as we can. We will do that going forward."

Odhiambo will get the first chance to lock down the job at left tackle. He'll start against the Kansas City Chiefs Friday night.

"I was pretty pleased with what happened the other night except the start of the second half," Cable said of Odhiambo's performance against Minnesota. "I thought there was a series in there that wasn’t very good. Prior to that and after that, after George’s injury, the guy was pretty good.”

Consistency, or rather a lack thereof, has been the biggest issue with Odhiambo. He'll look stellar on one play and lost the next. Left tackle is his most comfortable position having played the position in college at Boise State.

Meanwhile, Tobin will join the competition at left tackle after joining the team on Tuesday. Tobin was acquired from the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday in exchange for a swap of of 2018 late-round draft picks. Tobin ran onto the field several minutes after practice began upon completing all the necessary tasks required to join his new team.

"It’s tough, but it’s exciting," Tobin said after practice. "It is a good opportunity. It is fun to come out here and compete and meet the new guys and meet the guys on the team. You get to know the guys and have fun with them."

While all of Tobin's starts with the Eagles came at guard, Tobin said he feels most comfortable at left tackle.

"When I was at Philly I played mostly tackle, but all my starts in the games were at guard, so I’m pretty comfortable playing tackle and I’m pretty comfortable playing guard," Tobin said.

Added Cable: "I’ve studied him quite a bit. You know, his background coming out of Iowa with Kirk Ferentz and Brian Ferentz, his line coach. There’s some really good stuff there. A kid who walked on and earned it, has earned everything so you know he’s got work ethic. You know he’s probably pretty tough, very smart, reliable, all the that things we look for. What has he done on film? He’s been consistent, he’s been in the league awhile. When he’s been asked and called on to go play, he’s done a nice job."


Photo Credit: PHILADELPHIA, PA - AUGUST 16: Kenjon Barner #34 of the Philadelphia  Eagles scores a touchdown and Matt Tobin #64 reacts in the first quarter  of the preseason game against the Indianapolis Colts on August 16, 2015  at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by  Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)


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