Tag: Mike Iupati

Former Seahawks OL joins WAZZU coaching staff

Former Seahawks OL joins WAZZU coaching staff

Personally, I always love seeing former NFL players begin their coaching careers. It is completing the cycle, so to speak. As they were once the students, they now become the masters. Such is the case for former Seattle Seahawks guard Mike Iupati, who will be taking his knowledge to the Palouse.

Iupati has joined the Washington State Cougars’ staff to become their assistant offensive line coach. He will join first-year head coach Jimmy Rodgers, as they will seek to help the Cougars improve upon their 8-5 record from last year.

Iupati was a career-NFC West man. He was originally selected in the first round out of Idaho by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2010 NFL draft and spent the first the first five years of his career in the Bay Area. From there, he traveled to the Valley of the Sun to play with the Cardinals from 2015-2018, before ultimately ending his career with the Seahawks.

Iupati was a solid acquisition on Seattle’s offensive line, and in the two seasons he was with Seattle (2019 and 2020) the Seahawks made the playoffs twice, earned a division title, and won a playoff game. In fact, Iupati was a member of the last Seattle team that claimed a postseason victory.

Now he has returned to the northwest, albeit on the inland side of the state. We at Seahawks Wire wish him all the best with his new job in the Palouse.

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Former 49ers OL Mike Iupati retires after 11 seasons

Mike Iupati was a first-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers in the 2010 NFL draft. He’s retiring after 11 seasons.

Former 49ers offensive lineman Mike Iupati is hanging up his pads and retiring after 11 NFL seasons.

“My body was telling me it was time to close the door,” the former first-round pick told the Spokesman-Review in Idaho. He said his goal was to play 10 seasons, and he went a year beyond that mark.

San Francisco selected Iupati No. 17 overall out of Idaho in the 2010 draft in what became a crucial moment in their ascent to an NFC powerhouse in the following years.

Iupati took over the starting left guard spot as a rookie and dominated on that side next to left tackle Joe Staley. He earned in three consecutive years beginning in 2012, and was a First-Team All-Pro that season season.

The Cardinals signed the offensive lineman in 2015 after he spent five years in a 49ers uniform. His final of four Pro Bowls came in his first season with Arizona. Iupati played four years with them and two with Seattle to finish his career.

Seattle Seahawks starting left guard Mike Iupati retiring from NFL

Seattle Seahawks starting left guard Mike Iupati is planning to retire from football after playing 11 years in the NFL.

The Seattle Seahawks will be without starting left guard Mike Iupati going forward. After 11 years in the National Football League, Iupati is hanging up his cleats and retiring from professional football.

The news was first reported by The Spokesman-Review in a piece connecting with the veteran offensive lineman, who spent his college career as an Idaho Vandal.

“My body was telling me it was time to close the door,” Iupati told reporter Peter Harriman. “My goal was to hit 10 years.”

Iupati spent the last two seasons in Seattle, after playing the majority of his career with NFC West rivals, San Francisco and then Arizona. According to Harriman, Iupati simply told his agent he was retiring at the end of the season.

“I fell in love with Seattle,” Iupati said. “The organization was first class. They were so good to me.”

Iupati plans to spend more time with his four sons at their home in Idaho.

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Former Cardinals OL Mike Iupati retires from NFL

He spent all 11 seasons of his career in the NFC West, playing for the 49ers, Cardinals and Seahawks.

Mike Iupati played 11 seasons in the NFL and never left the NFC West. He played for the San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals and Seattle Seahawks. After 11 seasons, he is calling it a career.

His body made it clear it was time.

“My body was telling me it was time to close the door,” he said, according to The Spokesman-Review’s Peter Harriman.

His career began as a first-round draft pick out of Idaho with the 49ers in 2010. He played five seasons there before signing a five-year, $40 million deal with the Cardinals in 2015. He played four seasons for Arizona before heading to Seattle, spending two seasons with the Seahawks.

He was an All-Pro in 2012 and was selected to the Pro Bowl four straight seasons from 2012-2015, the last time being his first with Arizona.

He is the last Cardinals offensive lineman to make the Pro Bowl.

Though he made it through 11 NFL seasons, his career was marked by nagging injuries. After 2012, he only played all 16 games in a season once.

He now retires to his home in Idaho to spend time with his wife and four children, from ages 8 down to a newborn.

For his career, he earned more than $50 million in 11 seasons.

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Part 2: Taking a look at Seahawks positional needs this offseason

The Seahawks’ offensive line was better in 2020, but they need to focus on getting some top-tier young talent to succeed the older veterans.

In part one of this series, I discussed the need for the Seattle Seahawks to address the edge rusher position this offseason. In this installment, I examine another position – or rather, a group of positions – that the team should address.

NEED NO. 2: OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

Although the 2020 iteration of Seattle’s offensive line was superior to the units of years past, the front five could still do with some upgrades. They were positively bullied by the Rams’ defense in all three 2020-21 matchups, causing quarterback Russell Wilson to make some baffling choices that threw the entire offense off-balance. At times, it appeared that the team was facing a sort of identity crisis, with the popular “Let Russ Cook” mantra giving way to an aura of muddled confusion across the Seahawks fanbase.

As opposing teams figured out how to defend against the 2020 Seahawks’ pass-happy offense, Wilson’s – and subsequently, Seattle’s – efficiency took a massive downturn. In a press conference on Jan. 11, two days after Seattle’s wild-card exit, coach Pete Carroll acknowledged the team’s lack of a balanced attack. “I want to see if we can run the ball more effectively… I’d like to not play against two-deep looks all season long next year.”

A return to prioritizing the ground game makes sense, as the Seahawks’ o-line was specifically built around maintaining a strong rushing offense. Starting tackles Duane Brown and Brandon Shell, as well as starting guards Mike Iupati and Damien Lewis, all perform much better on run-blocking than on pass-protecting efforts. With those building blocks in place, the Seahawks ought to focus on further bolstering the unit to ensure that offensive productivity remains consistent (not streaky) for the next several years.

“We need to run the ball with direction and focus and style that allows us to dictate the game,” said Carroll. “We have to be able to get that done.”

The Seahawks’ pending free agent offensive linemen include tackle Cedric Ogbuehi ($2.3 million contract) and interior linemen Mike Iupati ($2.5 million), Ethan Pocic ($1.102 million), Kyle Fuller ($750,000) and Jordan Simmons ($675,000). Not all of them will leave, but regardless of who re-signs, the unit could do with a boost in overall talent.

Seattle’s best bet would be to address this issue through the draft. Brown is the cornerstone of the o-line, but is 34 years old and needs a successor. Iupati is just one year younger than Brown and seems to have reached his peak. With the Seahawks sitting at just four picks this year, they will need to put some serious research into making sure that they hone in on some Day 2-3 prospects that the staff can develop into top-tier blockers.

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Seahawks activate RT Brandon Shell back from Reserve/COVID-19 list

The Seattle Seahawks have activated right tackle Brandon Shell from the Reserve/COVID-19 list after his close-contact situation last week.

The Seattle Seahawks have been looking ahead to Saturday’s wild-card game against the Los Angeles Rams with the expectation of having their starting offensive line back playing together in time for the postseason.

Fortunately for Seattle, the Seahawks got back one of their front five on Tuesday when right tackle Brandon Shell was activated from the Reserve/COVID-19 list after having a close-contact situation last week.

“He looks great, he should be full speed and ready,” Carroll said during his press conference. “We love having him back out there.”

Shell has battled an ankle injury over the last month as well and appears to be finally on the mend.

The Seahawks and the Rams are set to kick off Saturday at 1:40 p.m. PT from Lumen Field in Seattle.

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Seahawks offensive line should be ‘full strength’ for wild-card round

The Seattle Seahawks offensive line should be ‘full strength’ for the wild-card round on Saturday, with all five starters back in the lineup.

The Seattle Seahawks could see their starting offensive line play together this weekend for the first time since Week 14. Seattle was without both tackle Brandon Shell (ankle/COVID-19 list) and guard Mike Iupati (stinger) in Sunday’s win over the San Francisco 49ers.

Coach Pete Carroll believes both players will be back for Saturday’s matchup against the Rams in the wild-card round.

“We’re going to be at pretty much full strength this weekend,” Carroll said during his Monday morning interview on 710 ESPN Seattle. “Brandon Shell will be back and Mike Iupati will be back and this will be fun to have all those guys back together. But if anyone has to come out, we’re OK . . .

“We’re very fortunate that we’re going to be back on track and full (strength).”

The Seahawks have Monday off before returning to practice on Tuesday to prepare to face Los Angeles in the wild-card round Saturday afternoon at 1:40 p.m. PT at Lumen Field.

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The good, the bad, and the ugly from Seahawks’ loss to Giants

The Seattle Seahawks became the first winning team to fall victim to the NFC East this season, losing to the Giants in a shocking upset.

The Seattle Seahawks’ sole possession of first place in the NFC West lasted for all of one week, as they suffered a crushing 17-12 defeat in Week 13 at the hands of the Daniel Jones-less New York Giants (5-7). Seattle led 5-0 at halftime, but fell apart in the second half, allowing the Giants to score 17 straight points. There were few bright spots for the Seahawks on Sunday, but two defensive players, in particular, stood out in a positive way.

THE GOOD

Ryan Neal: Safety Ryan Neal has been a revelation for the Seahawks since he was promoted from the practice squad in Week 3 against the Cowboys. In Sunday’s contest, he forced an interception after a massive hit to New York tight end Evan Engram, which caused the football to pop out of Engram’s grasp and into the waiting hands of Seattle’s Quandre Diggs. Neal also blocked Riley Dixon’s punt from the New York 11-yard line with just 28 seconds to go in the first half, which led to the ball bouncing out the back of the end zone for two points. Once a fringe player that bounced back and forth from the waiver wire and the active roster, Ryan Neal’s 2020 campaign makes it apparent that he should be here to stay.

Jamal Adams: Seattle’s star safety was a matchup nightmare for the Giants for most of the game, although he did allow a key first down to Evan Engram that prolonged their last drive. Adams has racked up linebacker-worthy stats all year, adding 11 tackles and a sack to his incredible season. Just one more sack from Adams in the Seahawks’ four remaining games will surpass the NFL’s single-season record for defensive back sacks, which was set in 2005 by Adrian Wilson.

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Week 9 inactives: Seattle Seahawks at Buffalo Bills

The inactive players for the Week-9 contest between the Seattle Seahawks and the Buffalo Bills.

The Seattle Seahawks take a trip across the country this weekend to square off against the Buffalo Bills. With a win, it would be the second 7-1 start to a season under coach Pete Carroll.

The Bills are having an impressive year themselves at 6-2 and will prove to be a formidable source on Sunday. That being said, Seattle will need to have all available hands on deck to get the Week-9 win.

Ahead of the matchup, the Seahawks already ruled out six players: running backs Chris Carson (foot) and Carlos Hyde (hamstring), guard Mike Iupati (back), cornerback Shaquill Griffin (concussion/hamstring), safety Ugo Amadi (hamstring) and defensive end Benson Mayowa (ankle).

To get to the required game-day roster, Seattle has also designated tight end Colby Parkinson as inactive.

Here’s a look at the complete inactives list for the Seahawks:

Bills inactives:

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Seahawks guard Mike Iupati downgraded to out for Week 7 in Arizona

Seattle Seahawks guard Mike Iupati has been downgraded from questionable to out for Week 7 against the Cardinals due to a back injury.

The Seattle Seahawks had only ruled out safety Jamal Adams on Friday ahead of the team’s Week-7 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals. The only other player noted on the injury report was guard Mike Iupati, who was listed as questionable to play.

Seattle Has now downgraded Iupati to “out” for Sunday night due to his back injury.

“He’s struggled this week some,” coach Pete Carroll had said Friday. “It was an uncomfortable couple days, so we have to see how he is by the weekend and all that, and for next week. We’ve got to see, we’ve got to get Mike so he’s healed and that he has returned fully because it has nagged him a little bit, so I’m a little concerned about that.”

Jordan Simmons, who got the nod for Iupati in Week 5, will likely get the start once again.

Kickoff is set for 5:20 p.m. PT at State Farm Stadium in Glendale.

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