Tag: Connor Williams

Seahawks C Olu Oluwatimi continues strong start in Week 12 win

Seahawks C Olu Oluwatimi continues strong start in Week 12 win

Seattle Seahawks sophomore center Olu Oluwatimi was a total revelation in his first start of the 2024 season last weekend, a critical win over the San Francisco 49ers. Oluwatimi made his second start of the campaign in Sunday’s victory over the Arizona Cardinals. The former Michigan standout played his second consecutive quality game.

Oluwatimi pitched a shutout in pass protection, according to Pro Football Focus. Despite only earning a pass-blocking grade of 54.0 versus the Cardinals, he was not credited with allowing a single pressure or sack. Oluwatimi also wasn’t whistled for any penalties. Starting quarterback Geno Smith completed 22 of 31 passing attempts for 254 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.

The Seahawks as an offense continued struggling to establish an effective ground game. Kenneth Walker III rushed for just 41 yards via 16 carries, averaging 2.6 yards per carry. Zach Charbonnet didn’t fare any better, totaling 22 yards on six rushing attempts (3.7 YPC). Oluwatimi had a run-blocking grade of 58.8, significantly lower than the 86.8 he posted against San Francisco.

All in all, Oluwatimi enjoyed another quality showing in a critical divisional win over the Cardinals. He was outstanding in pass protection, and Seattle’s struggles on the ground are a team-based failure. Oluwatimi continues to maximize his opportunity to earn a full-time starting role on the offensive line going into next season.

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Geno Smith explains Connor Williams’ surprising retirement

Geno Smith explains Connor Williams’ surprising retirement

Last week, the Seattle Seahawks and their fans were given quite a Friday afternoon shock. Shortly after announcing center Connor Williams was ruled out for the Week 11 game against the San Francisco 49ers, head coach Mike Macdonald broke the news that Williams decided to officially retire.

Williams was signed in the offseason and had started all nine games up to that point. He was also playing well, but his play dropped off to a precipitous degree in Weeks 8 and 9 with uncharacteristic high snaps past quarterback Geno Smith.

Macdonald did not elaborate as to why Williams decided to hang up his cleats and call it a career, but we may have some new insight this week. Smith was recently on the Richard Sherman Podcast, and Sherm brought it up as a situation that caught him by surprise. Smith gave a thoughtful response to Sherm about his former teammate.

Given the glamor and glory associated with professional sports, especially the National Football League, it can be easy to forget the players we see on television aren’t demi-gods. Or comic book superheroes. Or video game characters. They are real people, with real issues, concerns, and interests. They are well compensated, but all the money in the world can’t always buy peace of mind or fix mental health concerns.

Whatever the situation may be for Connor Williams, we hope he is able to find said peace and weather whatever storm he is facing in his own life. Hopefully, the decision to walk away from football was the right one.

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Analyzing Olu Oluwatimi’s 1st start at C following Connor Williams’ retirement

Analyzing Olu Oluwatimi’s 1st start at C following Connor Williams’ retirement

The Seattle Seahawks were left stunned earlier this week when starting center Connor Williams decided to abruptly retire in the middle of the season. The 27-year-old Williams had signed a one-year contract with the club in August. His departure catapulted sophomore fifth-round pick Olu Oluwatimi into the lineup for Sunday’s divisional showdown with the San Francisco 49ers.

The Seahawks were dealing with various changes to their offensive line. Abe Lucas returned from a season-long stint on the sidelines to play the majority of snaps at right tackle. Luckily for head coach Mike Macdonald, Oluwatimi was outstanding in his 2024 debut start at center, a thrilling come-from-behind 20-17 win over the 49ers.

Oluwatimi had a perfect pass-block-win-rate (PBWR), according to ESPN Stats & Info. ESPN Research credited Oluwatimi with 27 victories and zero losses on qualifying pass-block plays. Brady Henderson posted this clip, highlighting one of his more encouraging reps on Geno Smith’s game-winning drive.

Pro Football Focus largely agreed with ESPN’s research. They assigned Oluwatimi blame for allowing one single pressure in pass protection en route to a qualifying pass-blocking score of 61.8. That pressure was defined as a 49ers hurry on Smith.

Furthermore, Oluwatimi was downright dominant as a run blocker. He was Seattle’s highest-graded run blocking offensive lineman, earning an elite score of 86.8. The Seahawks rushed for 94 yards, including Smith’s game-winning 13-yard scramble.

Williams’ unforeseen retirement placed an already struggling Seahawks offensive line in a tough situation. In a much-welcomed turn of events, Oluwatimi was fantastic, arguably playing better than Williams had all season. The sophomore blocker will start at center versus the Arizona Cardinals in Week 12.

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How good was Seahawks C Olu Oluwatimi in 2023 as a rookie?

How good was Seahawks C Olu Oluwatimi in 2023 as a rookie?

The Seattle Seahawks and the 12th Man were shocked by some major news this week. Starting center Connor Williams, who was signed in early August and had played in all nine games this year, announced his retirement on Friday. The reasons have not been made clear as of right now, but it was for personal reasons. Of course, we at Seahawks Wire wish him the best as he begins this new chapter in his life after football.

But time stops for no man in the NFL, and the Seahawks must move forward. And they will do so with second-year center Olu Oluwatimi to anchor the interior of this offensive line. Originally a fifth round pick in the 2023 NFL draft out of Michigan, Oluwatimi has not seen much of any action this year. Now he is thrust into a starting role. Next man up, I suppose.

With his limited play time this year, we need to take a look back at how he performed as a rookie. During his debut season, Oluwatimi actually played rather well… again, with limited reps.

Oluwatimi started only one game last year, which was a 20-10 home win over the Arizona Cardinals.

Of course, given how pathetic the Seahawks offensive line has played, there are surely those who might be wondering “if Oluwatimi was so good, why wasn’t he starting in the first place? Why else would Seattle sign Connor Williams?” While these questions are fair, it is also understandable why the Seahawks would want to sign Williams – who had been one of the best centers in all of football the last few years. Regardless of how well Oluwatimi may or could be, Williams was (theoretically) an upgrade over just about anyone else in the league.

Additionally, given Oluwatimi’s lack of experience, it made sense for a new coaching staff to perhaps want him to develop more behind an established veteran. As for the charge of “why couldn’t he beat out Williams?” it is important to remember how Williams was playing well, up until the last two games the Seahawks competed in.

Whatever the reason may be for Oluwatimi not starting, we’ll get to see how he fares on Sunday… for better or worse.

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Former Dolphins C abruptly retires during first season with Seahawks

One of the players who left the Dolphins as a free agent earlier this year abruptly called it a career this week.

Former Miami Dolphins center Connor Williams abruptly retired this week during his first season with the Seattle Seahawks.

Williams, 27, joined the Seahawks in August on a one-year deal after spending the last two seasons with Miami. While he started all nine of his games with Seattle and was on the field for 100 percent of the team’s offensive snaps in those games, Williams had difficulty with shotgun snaps in recent weeks.

On Friday, Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald didn’t give much explanation for Williams’ surprising midseason decision to walk away.

“Personal reasons and we respect that,” Macdonald said. “I don’t believe [there’s a chance he returns]. We’re going to honor his wishes and keep all those reasons and conversations private, for obvious reasons.”

Williams began his career as a second-round pick with the Dallas Cowboys and spent his first four seasons playing left guard for the team. He made the move to center after joining Miami in 2022 and thrived in the middle of the Dolphins line.

But his second season with the Dolphins ended when he suffered a season-ending knee injury in December, and the team opted to sign free agent Aaron Brewer to take over at center in 2024.

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Former Cowboys 2nd-round OL draft pick abruptly retires after starting all 2024, joins unique group

Interior OL Connor Williams strangely becomes the third member of Cowboys’ 2018 draft at AT&T Stadium to call it quits this year. | From @KDDrummondNFL

Do Cowboys fans remember Connor Williams? The former University of Texas product was part of the hometown, 2018 draft class that appeared to be sending the franchise in the right direction.  AT&T Stadium was the location of the festivities that year, one of the first times the NFL allowed cities outside New York to host.

Dallas walked away with what they thought was a foundational class, three players taken in the first three rounds all having an immediate impact on a playoff team which actually went on to win a game.

Nope.

On Friday, Williams became the third of three to end their careers this season. The eyebrow raising thing is, Williams has retired in the middle of a season where he’s started every game for his club, the Seattle Seahawks.

Williams left the Cowboys after the 2021 season in free agency, landing with the Miami Dolphins who successfully moved him to center. His knee injury made him a risky proposition in  free agency this season, but the Seahawks were reaping the rewards of the small gamble on a one-year, $4 million deal. That is until he abruptly called it a career nine games into the season.

 

The Cowboys lost their first-round pick that year, LB Leighton Vander Esch, to a neck injury in October of last season; one of several he suffered in his short career. Vander Esch officially called it quits in March.

A few days earlier, the team had released Vander Esch and 2018 third-round WR Michael Gallup. After sustaining a torn ACL in 2021, the team waited and waited for Gallup to recover, but he never again attained the ability he had shown in his first few years in the league.

After signing as a free agent with the Las Vegas Raiders, Gallup also abruptly retired, but on the eve of reporting for training camp.

Now, all three of the club’s premiere picks are gone. No player who was part of the 2018 draft class remains with Dallas, with DE Dorance Armstrong leaving in free agency to join former DC Dan Quinn and the Washington Commanders.

Another fourth-round pick, TE Dalton Schultz, left in free agency last year to join the Houston Texans and will return to AT&T Stadium on Monday Night in the Week 11 clash. WR Cedrick Wilson, who was with Williams in Miami for two seasons, is currently on the New Orleans Saints roster and played against the Cowboys in the Week 2 matchup.

Seahawks C Connor Williams has RETIRED from the NFL

Seahawks C Connor Williams has RETIRED from the NFL

On Friday, the Seattle Seahawks announced center Connor Williams was ruled OUT from Sunday’s week 11 game against the San Francisco 49ers. Williams had missed the entire week of practice, and was ultimately ruled OUT due to a not-injury related: personal reason. At the time we at Seahawks Wire reported this news, it was not known as to what the personal reason was/is.

Well, we have some idea now… after Friday’s practice, head coach Mike Macdonald announced Connor Williams had decided to officially RETIRE from the NFL. According to Macdonald, Williams has his reasons and any possibility to perhaps return later does not seem likely.

The Seahawks signed Williams in early August as a free agent. Originally drafted by the Dallas Cowboys, Williams became a Miami Dolphin for two seasons until he unfortunately tore his ACL towards the end of the 2023 campaign. Williams was allowed to walk in free agency, and was deciding between the Seahawks and Ravens before ultimately closing the deal with Seattle.

Williams started all nine games for the Seahawks this year, bringing his career start total to 86 out of 92 possible games played in the NFL. While there were times where it appeared Williams had brought stability to the interior of Seattle’s offensive line, he had shockingly begun to regress in his last two games. Specifically, the fact he kept snapping the ball far too high to quarterback Geno Smith, and even stepping on him on a crucial 4th down play on the goal line against the Buffalo Bills.

Coach Macdonald has confirmed sophomore backup center Olu Oluwatimi will start on Sunday.

The NFL is a highly challenging league. Not just physically, in the games… but emotionally and mentally. Football can be a dangerous sport and if your head/heart are not in it, for whatever reason, it can be detrimental to your health. We at Seahawks Wire want to wish Connor Williams a happy retirement in whatever endeavor he chooses after his life in football.

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Seahawks rule C Connor Williams and 2 others OUT for Week 11

Seahawks rule C Connor Williams and 2 others OUT for Week 11

The Seattle Seahawks have made their game-time designations for Sunday’s Week 11 showdown against the San Francisco 49ers, and it is a mixed bag of good and bad news.

Let us get the bad news out of the way first: starting center Connor Williams, who has played in all of Seattle’s games this year, has been ruled OUT. The reason? Well, we are not quite sure. Officially, it is listed as “not-injury related: personal.” Williams missed this week’s practice with the same designation. As of now, neither he or the Seahawks have explained why he has missed so much time. This puts backup sophomore center Olu Oluwatimi in line to get his first start of the season.

Additionally, tight ends Noah Fant and Brady Russell are also ruled OUT. Look for rookie AJ Barner to be the go-to guy once again in their absence.

The good news is while the interior of Seattle’s offensive line could be taking a hit without Williams, right tackle Abe Lucas will likely be back! Lucas carries no designation, and as an active participant in practice this week – as well as being officially activated off the PUP list – it appears he is going to make his 2024 debut!

Joining him should be wide receiver DK Metcalf. After missing the last two games due to an MCL sprain, Metcalf returned to practice and also does not carry a gametime designation. Getting Lucas and Metcalf back into the fold will be massive for the Seattle offense.

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Seahawks C Connor Williams may miss Sunday’s game vs. 49ers

Seahawks C Connor Williams may miss Sunday’s game vs. 49ers

Seattle Seahawks starting Connor Williams missed Wednesday’s and Thursday’s practice. His designation on the injury report is “personal reasons.” Members of the media are unaware of the reason behind his absence. Williams is entitled to a personal life and doesn’t owe us details.

Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald should deliver final game-day designations on Friday ahead of Sunday’s Week 11 game versus NFC West rival San Francisco 49ers. Williams has played all 618 offensive snaps for Seattle this season. His status for Sunday is legitimately unknown, but Macdonald should confirm his status during Friday’s scheduled meeting with the media.

The backup center is sophomore fifth-round selection Olu Oluwatimi. The former Michigan standout has played just four offensive snaps as a sixth blocker this season because Williams has been a full participant. Oluwatimi played 128 snaps at center as a rookie in 2023, earning an overall grade of 53.1 from Pro Football Focus.

The other option would be rookie undrafted Jalen Sundell. The coaching staff has occasionally preferred him to Oluwatimi this season according to practice reps, so there’s a possibility he’d earn the start if Williams is unavailable. Sundell totaled 70 snaps at center during the preseason, earning a stellar overall grade of 72.4 from PFF.

Seattle’s offensive line has struggled this campaign and Sunday’s matchup versus the 49ers is important within the NFC West. Williams has been Macdonald’s second-best offensive lineman behind just franchise left tackle Charles Cross this season. Williams’ availability is key to Seattle’s chances on Sunday.

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Seahawks’ pass-blocking metrics through Week 9

Seahawks’ pass-blocking metrics through Week 9

The Seattle Seahawks have struggled to protect starting quarterback Geno Smith this season. Smith has been pressured on 153 of his dropbacks, according to data collected by Brian Nemhauser. That means the offensive line is leaking protection on 40% of their starting quarterback’s dropbacks.

The majority of those pressures have arrived from the right side of the offensive line. Pro Football Focus credits right guard Anthony Bradford with allowing 24 pressures, second-worst (112) among 113 qualifying guards. Bradford has also been whistled for a position-high nine penalties, and he’s allowed five sacks, ranking 110th out of 113.

The right tackle position has also struggled. Injuries have forced the Seahawks to start three different right tackles this year. George Fant, Stone Forsythe, and Mike Jerrell have all started for Mike Macdonald’s lackluster offensive line. Below-average results have been delivered.

The Seahawks have a 53% pass-block-win-rate (PBWR) this season, according to ESPN Stats & Info. Franchise left tackle Charles Cross has been far-and-away the team’s best blocker in pass protection. Cross is Seattle’s only offensive lineman that cracks ESPN’s leaderboard, posting an elite individual PBWR of 92%.

The Seahawks have allowed a sixth-worst 28 sacks this season. Smith has been outstanding when operating from a clean pocket, posting a passer rating of 108.6 in such rare scenarios, per PFF. When under pressure, that rating plummets to 49.5.

The offensive line remains a work in progress. Cross is outstanding, but the overall unit, particularly the right side, desperately needs improving. Hopefully Abe Lucas returns against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 11 and helps deliver clean pockets for Smith with more consistency.

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