Seahawks News and Rumors: Mike Gibson Signed, John Moffitt Suspended, Practice Squad Additions Named

by Danny Kelly on Dec 6, 2011 5:05 PM PST in Seahawks News & Rumors

G/C Mike Gibson has been signed to the active roster to take Russell Okung's spot now that he's on been placed on the Injured Reserve. Gibson started eight games for the Seahawks last year, and played in a total of 14. I was kind of surprised he was let go this season, so it's nice to see him back. He's a versatile, hard working guy - a bit undersized but should know a lot of the system already and can play multiple interior spots.

The move makes sense, as it's probably to grab some depth at center, which Gibson has played a bit. The Seahawks announced today that the new starting line will be LT Paul McQuistan, LG Robert Gallery, C Max Unger, RG Lemuel Jeanpierre, and RT Breno Giacomini. That leaves Gibson, Paul Fainaka, and Jarriel King as backups.

As for John Moffitt, as we noted earlier, he was suspended four games for violating the league's banned substances policy. He'll serve his suspension while on IR, in which essentially amounts to just a big fine (he loses four games' pay). His agent said the failed test was due to a hyperactivity medicine that he didn't clear with the league.

"Moffitt's agent, Michael George, said that Moffitt's suspension was due to his use of a prescription drug used to treat hyperactivity. George said that Adderall - the drug that Moffitt used - is banned under the league's policy on performance-enhancing substances, unless a player has pre-approval from the league. Moffitt lacked that league approval, resulting in the suspension."

George added that they would have liked to appeal the suspension, but don't want to risk him missing games next season.

Finally, the Seahawks added two players - LB Keith Darbut and RB Jay Finley - to their practice squad. Per DraftBreakdown's Chad Davis, Finley is a "7th rd pick out of Baylor last yr...good size, decent speed, productive as a senior."

CBSSports' Hunter Ansley had this to say about the former Baylor running back:

"Positives: Coming off his most productive season after taking a step back in 2009. Is a quick runner with enough agility to wiggle past the front seven. Has a strong upper body and exhibits patience when hitting the line. Can lower his shoulder and bring a lot of power thanks to his pad level and active feet.

Doesn't go down on first contact, churns legs and maintains balance. Can change directions smoothly and never gives up on a play. Flashes some potential as a receiver out of the backfield despite limited experience in that role. Soft hands, smart, up field runner after the catch. Strong, balanced enough to hold up in pass protection."

Check out the Finley's profile for more.

Darbut is a 6'4, 230 pound linebacker/defensive end out of small-school Baldwin-Wallace. He was signed by the Bengals as a UDFA and has good speed. More here, courtesy of CincyJungle.

The small-school pass rusher fits the profile as a Seahawks' practice squadder - as ProFootballTalk put it, "Darbut participated at the Akron Pro Day on March 10. Measuring in at 6-foot-4 and 229 pounds, the 22-year-old Baldwin-Wallace team captain ran forty times of 4.38 and 4.40 with a 1.42 ten-yard split that would've bested all pass rushers at the Combine. He also recorded a 10-foot-6 broad jump and 38-inch vertical, benching 225 pounds 26 times."

Interesting anyway.

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Is there a write up on Adrian Moten anywhere?

by omar.padilla on Dec 6, 2011 6:36 PM PST reply actions

I posted them in the Moten thread

03/24/2011 – Maryland Pro day: Linebacker Adrian Moten (6-1 3/4, 234) gave a complete workout. He posted 40 times of 4.60 and 4.55, a 32 1/2-inch vertical, 10-8 broad jump, 4.51 short shuttle, and 7.32 cone. – Gil Brandt, NFL.com

Positives: Two-year starter at OLB is an athletic and versatile prospect who makes plays all over the field. Fast, has fluid hips, can turn and run with TEs and other receivers and has good ball skills. Quick first step, can run around blocks. Good form tackler, shoulder to chest, wraps. Lined up often against the slot receiver and had a lot of corner/nickel assignments as a SAM during the past two seasons. Played some WILL earlier in college career.

Negatives: Lacks elite top end straight-line speed. Too often allows separation in coverage and is unable to close. Gets destroyed when colliding with OLs, and likely will have trouble handling the blocks of NFL TEs. Doesn’t have a lot of sand in the pants and has real trouble beating blocks, and hence tries to dance around blocks. Small, narrow frame for NFL LB. Wrist injury in 2008.

Rob Rang

From CBSSports

2010: Moten, a two-year starter at linebacker, started all 13 games in 2010 and finished 4th on the team with 77 total tackles (31 solo), 6 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. He also had 4 interceptions and 10 passes defended in coverage…2009: Started all 12 games at Sam linebacker … ranked second on the team in tackles (68) … ranked 27th in the ACC in tackles per game (5.7) … led the team in sacks (6.0) and tackles for loss (9.0)

From NFL Draft Scout

I Bleed Blue and Green

ME...Tweeting Stuff! About my upcoming game...and other random musings.

by DSAhawker on Dec 7, 2011 12:29 AM PST up reply actions

I like it.

I wanted to see Mcquiston play LT for some sadistic reason. Might be the quickest way to get a look at Portis before the season’s end .

by Richard fg7 on Dec 6, 2011 7:03 PM PST reply actions

If I didn't know that was a description of Finley I would have thought you were talking about Lynch.

Eternally looking forward to someone making a Seahawks song based off of Lil' Jon's "Shots" song named "Hawks!"

by Bobby Cink on Dec 6, 2011 7:58 PM PST reply actions

Right??

Field Gulls | Follow @FieldGulls

by Danny Kelly on Dec 6, 2011 8:24 PM PST up reply actions

Yeah

I was thinking of lynch aswell when I read that description.

but i find myself more interested in that LB/DE, am i reading right? he ran a 4.3/4.4? damn hes fast too, if he could add some weight he might be a nice addition.

I think it would be cool if instead of saying "Beast mode" you could say "you've been Lynched"

by Bruiser89171 on Dec 6, 2011 8:28 PM PST up reply actions

I always like Finley's skill set

What made him different than Lynch, even in college, is his more limited vision. I like him though, and think he could help on ST.

"Those who fear disorder more than injustice inevitably produce more of both." -- Rev. William Coffin

by dcrockett17 on Dec 7, 2011 4:42 AM PST up reply actions

Moffit loses four games pay for using a prescription drug for hyperactivity. Wow.

That says a lot about the NFL.

Under react/ over react, which way did they go, Roger? Which way did they go?

This enema’s for you, Rog, ol’ sport.

by broadbill birdwatcher on Dec 6, 2011 10:06 PM PST reply actions

The use is fine as long as it's properly documented.

Plenty of prescription drugs can be abused. Moffitt just has to demonstrate that his use was therapeutic, not recreational.

by Greetings from the Lord Humongous! on Dec 6, 2011 11:29 PM PST up reply actions 1 recs

I thought it was weird too

but apparently it can help prevent fatigue, so it kinda does make sense for them to watch for it, albeit I think it’s a bit harsh and if he can prove it was just a mistake they should reverse the ruling.

by Trepidation on Dec 7, 2011 12:05 AM PST up reply actions

Assuming the story from Moffitt's agent is true

In baseball the league can’t comment on PED suspensions under the collective bargaining agreement so an agent or player can make up whatever story they want and the league is not allowed to publicly rebut it. I don’t know if the same holds true for the NFL. I do also know of a NFL player who made a somewhat similar excuse for getting suspended for PED’s who I have on good authority used PED’s in college and before the combine but was not caught until getting to the NFL. I say this not to be mysterious or to call Moffitt a liar, but only to point out explanation, especially one that makes the suspension seem silly, might not be the full story.

Stats are not a euphemism for tits.

by Trenchtown on Dec 7, 2011 12:17 AM PST up reply actions