The Seattle Seahawks are dealing with some injuries in the preseason and so are the Cleveland Browns, which is why the two teams decided to make a trade midway through the preseason with the Seahawks dealing offensive guard John Moffitt to the Browns for Brian Sanford.
According to ESPN.com, the Browns had some major issues at the guard position on the right side after dealing with injuries to Shawn Lauvao and Jason Pinkston through at least the first few preseason games and decided to make a deal. Moffitt comes over from Seattle after starting 15 games over the past two season and now the Browns can avoid using rookie Garrett Gilkey, who would be changing positions to guard and the right side.
Moffitt is an experienced player and coach Rob Chudzinski called him tough and versatile and someone that can slide in with Joe Thomas in the unit. The Seahawks made the playoffs last season and he started the last six games of the year, showing his flexibility by playing four at right guard, two at left, as the Seahawks ended up a wild card team. Seattle defeated the Redskins in the opening round and Moffitt comes to the Browns after being a draft pick out of Wisconsin in the third round in 2011.
The Seahawks needed some depth on the line after losing Chris Clemons last season against the Redskins to a knee injury and the Browns have been getting younger overall around the roster. Moffitt previously has had elbow surgery and was once suspended four games for testing positive for Adderall. Sanford only played in six games for the Browns in the past three seasons and he likely will be an end of roster player for the Seahawks.
"We continue to look each day of the year for any opportunity to improve our roster," CEO Joe Banner said. "We're committed to a building a team that can consistently compete in this league."
