Since 2011, only four interior defensive linemen in the NFL had made more tackles than Brandon Mebane before the Seahawks' nose tackle went down with a season-ending hamstring injury in November.
Ahtyba Rubin is one of them, and the former nose tackle for the Cleveland Browns is now a member of the Seahawks too, after signing with the team on Friday.
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With the signing of Ahtyba Rubin, the Seahawks now have two of the five interior linemen who have the most tackles in the NFL from the start of the 2011 season through nine games in the 2014 season – when nose tackle Brandon Mebane went down with a season-ending hamstring injury:
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The 6-foot-2, 325-pound Rubin has 195 tackles over the past three-plus seasons – including a career-high 83 in 2011 – and 338 since being the Browns' sixth-round draft choice in 2008. That's the year after the Seahawks selected Mebane in the third round, and he has 177 tackles since 2011 – despite missing the final seven games last season – and 325 for his career.
"He's one of the most, if not the most, underrated defensive linemen in the NFL," former Browns linebacker D'Qwell Jackson told the Cleveland Plain Dealer in 2013 – echoing a sentiment that Mebane's teammates have been offering about him for the past several seasons. "I've been around him from Day 1 here and he's had the same commitment. He's an extremely good player who simply hasn't had the notoriety throughout the league.
"He's the player you want to model your game after – the way he prepares, the way he practices. I try to emulate him and it's hard to do."
The Seahawks have been looking to add depth to their defensive line in free agency because Mebane is coming off a hamstring injury that required surgery and Kevin Williams, who stepped in at nose tackle for the final seven regular-season games as well as the playoffs, is a restricted free agent.
A look at the projected Seattle Seahawks roster for the 2015 season including new faces from free agency and trade. This gallery is updated with every offseason transaction.
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Waiting for the photo card shoot with Brittany from the Saints.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback B.J. Daniels carries the ball in the second half of a preseason NFL football game against the San Diego Chargers, Friday, Aug. 15, 2014, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)
Ready for rehearsal with Texans cheerleader Delaney
Taking a break from rehearsals with Lauren from the Chargers.
Seattle Seahawks' David Gilreath in action at an NFL football camp practice Wednesday, July 30, 2014, in Renton, Wash. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham (80) catches a warm up pass during a NFL football game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Sunday, December 28, 2014 in Tampa. The Saints won the game 23-20. (AP Photo/Paul Jasienski)
Enjoying the sun following our photo card shoot with Holly from the Cowboys.
Wisconsin defensive lineman Brendan Kelly takes a position during the first half at the Rose Bowl NCAA college football game Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2013, in Pasadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Seattle Seahawks defensive lineman David King (70) rests during an NFC Divisional Playoff football game against the Carolina Panthers on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2015, in Seattle, Wa. The Seahawks won the game, 31-17. (AP Photo/Greg Trott)
Seattle Seahawks tight end Anthony McCoy (85) runs during a NFL NFC Divisional Playoff game against the Atlanta Falcons in Atlanta, Georgia on January 13, 2013. The Falcons defeated the Seahawks 30-28. (AP Photo/Scott Boehm)
Photo credit Gary Lott / Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs
Heading to breakfast with Heather from the Titans on Day 2 in Hawaii.
In this photo taken on Saturday, Sept. 29, 2012, Colorado senior defensive tackle Will Pericak warms up before facing UCLA in the first quarter of an NCAA football game in Boulder, Colo. Pericak faces two opponents every Saturday: the opposing quarterback and diabetes. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Break from rehearal with Heather of the Titans.
Cleveland Browns nose tackle Ahtyba Rubin (71) gets ready for the snap during the NFL week 14 regular season football game against the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014 in Cleveland. The Colts won the game 25-24. (AP Photo/Paul Spinelli)
Ready for breakfast on Day 2 with Delaney from the Texans.
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Break from rehearal with Heather of the Titans.
Ready for our photo card shoot with Brittany from the Saints.
My new line! Team Rice Line 2!
Buffalo Bills' Jared Wheeler (63) stretches during warm-ups before a preseason NFL football game against the Carolina Panthers in Charlotte, N.C., Friday Aug. 8, 2014. The Bills won 20-18. (AP Photo/Bob Leverone)
Jesse Williams
Photo credit Gary Lott / Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs
Photo credit Gary Lott / Washington State Department of Veterans Affairs
