JACKSONVILLE – Paul Posluszny left no room for misinterpretation.
Posluszny, the Jaguars' starting middle linebacker, said not only was he happy about the team signing free-agent defensive end Red Bryant this past weekend, he said he was pleased for a very specific reason.
"We automatically got better on defense by adding him," Posluszny said Monday.
Bryant (6-feet-4, 323 pounds), who played his first seven NFL seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, signed with the Jaguars on Saturday as a free agent, a move that adds size and experience to the Jaguars' defensive line rotation.
It was also a move that drew immediate praise from Jaguars defensive players.
"He's a great addition to this team," defensive tackle Roy Miller said.
Bryant, 29, a fourth-round selection in the 2008 NFL Draft from Texas A&M, started 47 games the past three seasons, and 55 in his career. He played from 2009-2012 for Jaguars Head Coach Gus Bradley when Bradley was the Seahawks' defensive coordinator. Jaguars defensive line coach Todd Wash served as the Seahawks' defensive line coach from 2011-2012.
"I'm sure he'll walk in Day One and feel completely comfortable with what we're doing," Posluszny said. "As we go on, we'll get more and more into what Coach Bradley did in Seattle and bring more of that here. He's perfect. It's his defense. He's in the same system. There's no transition, no learning a different language … he'll be able to walk in and contribute right away."
Posluszny said Jaguars defensive players saw Bryant often when watching tape of the Seahawks' defense last season.
DE Red Bryant was the defensive captain for the Super Bowl Champion @Seahawks in 2013 PHOTOS: http://t.co/dpRHObRnbN pic.twitter.com/gcyMVk2dMA — Jacksonville Jaguars (@jaguars) March 9, 2014
"He stood out right away – a big body that can do a lot," Posluszny said. "He's big. He's athletic. He can move well. Wherever they decide to put him on the defensive line, he'll be able to do the job."
Bryant, who has 3.5 career sacks with six passes defensed, is expected to play the five-technique defensive end in Bradley's scheme. Tyson Alualu started at the position last season, and then-rookie Abry Jones also played the spot. The position plays opposite the scheme's pass-rushing, "Leo" defensive end with a focus on run defense.
Miller said Bryant will be an asset because of his versatility.
"If you look at Seattle, the way they used their guys, they had eight guys rotate and play," Miller said. "We have a similar defense and want to move a similar way. He can play all different types of positions, and he's going to make us more stout."
Said Posluszny, "He'll be pretty versatile for us. You need a stable of guys you can absolutely rely on, and he adds to that. Roy Miller, Tyson (Alualu), (defensive tackle) Sen'Derrick (Marks) – we have those types of guys – but to add another piece who you know is going to be a stud player for us, a guy we can rely on, it's great for our team."
Bryant, who was released by Seattle early last week in a salary cap move, was considered a team leader in Seattle, serving as a team captain each of the past two seasons. The Seahawks were the NFL's fourth-rated defense in total yards in 2012 and No. 1 this past season when the franchise won the Super Bowl for the first time.
"He's a big guy and we can use him multiple ways," Miller said. "His experience, playing in the playoffs and being a leader in these ways brings a different dynamic to this team. We've got a bunch of young guys.
"To have a guy like that who plays well and can be a leader is just going to make this team better."
#Jaguars sign former @Seahawks DE Red Bryant. More info: http://t.co/Mt3tNdaapi pic.twitter.com/9rGpIVhW5t — Jacksonville Jaguars (@jaguars) March 9, 2014
