Red

Bryant

Bryant blocked two field goals earlier in the game and was dominant in run defense, but lost his composure late. “He (Smith) was talking the whole game. He was taking cheap shots at me. That’s what guys do when they can’t block you,” Bryant said.

The tag was freed up for the Seahawks after they signed Marshawn Lynch to a four-year, $32 million contract Sunday, but they apparently aren’t giving strong consideration to slapping it on Bryant. He would be due $10.6 million under the tag in 2012. Bryant said in January he intended to re-sign with the Seahawks.

Trotter also confirms the Saints are making a late push to re-sign LG Carl Nicks. Bryant is expected to draw heavy interest on the open market after emerging as one of the league’s better run stoppers in 2011.

The deal contains $14.5 million guaranteed. Seattle is still seeking a pass rusher, but Bryant was too important to the team’s run defense as a strong-side end in Pete Carroll’s scheme. The Patriots, among others, were poised to make a run at the run-stuffer.

Bryant could come with a relatively steep price tag for a soon-to-be 28-year-old end with just two career sacks. Bryant would go a long way toward solidifying the Patriots’ 17th ranked run defense, however.

Mebane’s contract includes $9 million in guaranteed money, but it sounds like the Seahawks may need to increase their offer to re-sign Bryant. Several teams could show interest in Bryant if he hits the open market.

“I have a desire to be here,” said Bryant, whose career was rejuvenated by coach Pete Carroll’s usage of him as a “five-technique” defensive end. Bryant could draw interest from several 3-4 teams if he hit the open market, though, after developing a reputation as a mammoth run stopper over the past two seasons.

Bryant gamely played through a torn plantar fascia, but his effectiveness was sapped. Now he’s watching his weight and feeling 100 percent. Assuming Bryant returns to his dominant run-stuffing self, the Seahawks’ defense will get a boost. They already ranked 10th against the rush last season.

That likely explains Bryant’s down season versus the run. After grading out as a top-12 run defending end in 2011 at Pro Football Focus, he dropped all the way to No. 49 in 2012. Seattle still boasted the tenth-ranked run defense in the league, so look for them to only get better this upcoming season. Bryant, 29 in April, is entering the second year of a five-year, $35 million contract.

Bryant has been a defensive tackle since being drafting in the fourth round of the 2008 draft. At 6'4/320, he would be more of a run-stuffer in a 3-4 than a perimeter defender in a 4-3. Look for Bryant to play at both spots this season.