Ryan Grubb – Page 2 – Syndication Server

Seahawks HC Mike Macdonald says the team needs to get Kenneth Walker III the ball more

Easily the most frustrating aspect of the Seattle Seahawks brutal 29-20 loss to the New York Giants was the fact the team simply refused to run the ball. An entirely head-scratching decision, especially considering star running back Kenneth Walker III was healthy.

Seattle ran 58 plays, but only seven were traditional/designed runs. Kenneth Walker III only touched the ball five times for 19 yards. Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald agreed it was an issue during his usual postgame press conference.

“That’s a fair question,” Macdonald stated when asked about the lack of anything resembling a run game. “We definitely need to get the run game going. The way the game started we were thinking about trying to get Geno going early. And I’m not sure how many plays we had (in) the first half, but it wasn’t many. The game started to kind of get out of hand there. We had to get going. You’re right, we need to get the run game going, we need to get Ken (Walker III) the ball more”

It’s great to hear accountability from the head coach on a major flaw from the game, and 12’s everywhere should have confidence Macdonald and his staff are going to correct the issue. But his explanation of “the game started to kind of get out of hand” does not add up at all.

At halftime, the score was 10-10 after being tied at 7-7 for most of the first two quarters. Then it was 17-10, followed by 17-13, and later 20-13 headed into the fourth quarter. This game was either tied or within a single score for literally three full quarters of play, not some blowout where Seattle fell behind early and had to claw their way back in by leaning heavy on the pass.

I know plenty of fans online were not thrilled when former Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll had such an emphasis on establishing the run, often making jokes at his expense. But this is absolutely what Seattle needs to be doing with this offense, to help relieve stress from Geno Smith and the atrocious offensive line. The Seahawks cannot afford to willingly become one-dimensional with a healthy Kenneth Walker III at their disposal.

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Seahawks OC Ryan Grubb talks Jason Peters, RG competition

The Seattle Seahawks recently reunited with 42-year-old offensive tackle and 21-year pro Jason Peters by signing him to the practice squad. With Abe Lucas on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list and no clear-cut timeline for his return in place, and George Fant on IR, Peters could eventually replace the struggling Stone Forsythe at right tackle.

The Seahawks are also facing ongoing questions at the right guard position. In the Week 4 defeat to the Detroit Lions, head coach Mike Macdonald and the offense made the decision to rotate Anthony Bradford and Christian Haynes, two players in competition with each other. Bradford has been whistled for a league-high seven penalties this season. Despite playing fewer reps, the general consensus was that Haynes outperformed his peer.

Seahawks offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb discussed the addition of Peters, and the ongoing battle at right guard following Thursday’s practice.

“Anytime you have a Hall of Fame-caliber player, has done it at that level for many years, you’re bound to get a lot of experienced wisdom filtering through the room,” Grubb said about Peters. “It’s been awesome having him [Peters]. It’s a big help.”

“I thought they both had some really good points,” Grubb said about Bradford and Haynes when asked to assess their performances versus the Lions. “I thought there were a few points where both of them played their best football of the year. So I think the competitive spirit is helping them both out. I think we still have to brush up on some things at practice, they’re still showing up on tape. Christian did a better job not getting overwhelmed.”

Seahawks OC Ryan Grubb on Jason Peters and the right guard competition. pic.twitter.com/ME8uYpRb9o

— Bob Condotta (@bcondotta) October 3, 2024

The Seahawks will continue analyzing their offensive line against the New York Giants in Sunday’s Week 5 contest. The Giants have posted a third-highest 15 sacks this season. Pass rushers like Kayvon Thibodeaux, Brian Burns, and Dexter Lawrence could get the better of Seattle’s struggling offensive line.

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Updated pass protection, run blocking metrics for Seahawks heading into Week 5

The Seattle Seahawks have struggled to protect starting quarterback Geno Smith this season. Heading into Sunday’s Week 5 game versus the New York Giants, Smith has been sacked on 11 occasions, 11th-most in the league. It’s worth acknowledging one of the quarterbacks in the top 10 is Baker Mayfield, who has already played this week.

Struggling right tackle Stone Forsythe, the team’s third-string option, has allowed a team-high 20 pressures, according to Pro Football Focus. Left tackle Charles Cross (13) and left guard Laken Tomlinson (11) are Seattle’s other two offensive lineman who have allowed more than 10 pressures. Forsythe and right guard Anthony Bradford have allowed a team-high two sacks apiece.

ESPN Stats & Info also measures pass protection efficiency. The Seahawks currently rank 29th in pass-block-win-rate (PBWR) at 49%. They are also struggling in the run game, placing 30th in run-block-win-rate (RBWR) at 67%. As an offense, Seattle ranks 21st in rushing at 106.3 ground yards per outing.

Perhaps that could be attributed to Kenneth Walker’s injury. In two appearances, Walker has rushed for 183 yards and four touchdowns while averaging an explosive 5.7 yards per carry. His permanent return to the lineup could see Seattle improve in the run-blocking-win-rate metric.

Seattle’s offensive line remains a work in process. General manager John Schneider recently signed 21-year veteran right tackle Jason Peters to the practice squad. Peters could eventually replace Forsythe while Abe Lucas and George Fant remain sidelined. The team is also holding competition at right guard between Bradford and rookie blocker Christian Haynes.

Hopefully the Seahawks can find the right combination up front soon to fully unlock Ryan Grubb’s offense.

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3 Bold Predictions for Seahawks QB Geno Smith vs. Lions

Seattle Seahawks starting quarterback Geno Smith off to a phenomenal start in 2024 under the guidance of first-year offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb. Smith completed 26 of 34 passing attempts for 289 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions in last Sunday’s dominant Week 3 victory over the Miami Dolphins.

We’ve compiled three bold predictions for Smith against a difficult Detroit Lions defense on Monday.

Smith throws for 300+ yards

Smith threw for 327 yards in a Week 2 overtime victory over the New England Patriots. The former West Virginia standout nearly surpassed 300 yards against the Dolphins for a second consecutive week (289). The Lions are allowing a 12th-worst 216.7 passing yards per contest.

Smith throws 2+ TDs

Despite placing below league-average in passing yards, the Lions have only allowed three touchdowns through the air. Monday’s primetime contest could be a shootout, however. With Lions defensive back Brian Branch doubtful, Smith could throw a pair of touchdowns to the likes of DK Metcalf and Noah Fant.

Geno Smith plays a turnover-free game

Smith has thrown three interceptions this season, including a season-high two versus the Dolphins, but tcontext is important. Two of his interceptions were largely due to pressure from a collapsing pocket, and the other was tipped at the line of scrimmage. Smith has been accurate while attempting just one turnover-worthy pass, according to Pro Football Focus.

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Seahawks OC Ryan Grubb explains why they’ve stuck with Anthony Bradford at RG

The Seattle Seahawks have continued to stick by sophomore offensive lineman Anthony Bradford at right guard despite his weekly struggles. Head coach Mike Macdonald pondered a change ahead of Week 3’s game versus the Miami Dolphins, re-opening the position to a training camp-like battle. Despite reevaluating the right guard spot, Bradford started his third straight contest.

Unsurprisingly, Bradford did not perform admirably. He posted season-low grades in pass protection (27.4), as a run blocker, (50.1), and overall score (37.5), according to Pro Football Focus. Seahawks offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb spoke with the media on Thursday ahead of Monday’s primetime showdown with the Detroit Lions.

Grubb explained why Bradford continues starting ahead of rookie guard Christian Haynes, despite being whistled for a position-high seven penalties this season.

“I think Anthony [Bradford] would tell you he didn’t have his best game,” Grubb told reporters. “He’s a young player that’s hopefully continuing to develop. We think he has a very good skill set. We’re trying to develop that.”

Grubb then shed light on why Haynes hasn’t dethroned Bradford as the team’s starting right guard.

“Technique and power,” Grubb responded when asked which parts of Haynes’ game need to improve. “Raw power at the guard position in the NFL is so critical. That’s why Anthony can withstand a lot of [power], his sheer size and what he can take inside.”

https://twitter.com/BradyHenderson/status/1839446156201591017

The Seahawks clearly don’t feel that Haynes is equipped to handle NFL-caliber power. The rookie blocker played 15 snaps against the New England Patriots in Week 2, earning a lackluster PFF pass-blocking grade of 18.3. Until Haynes shows improved power, Grubb and Macdonald will continue sticking with Bradford based on sheer size alone.

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Seattle Seahawks pass rate has been higher than expected

Seattle Seahawks starting quarterback Geno Smith was outstanding in Sunday’s 23-20 overtime Week 2 victory over the New England Patriots. Smith completed 33-of-44 passing attempts for 327 yards and one touchdown. With starting running back Kenneth Walker missing out through injury, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb went to a pass-happy approach.

The Seahawks attempted 44 passes compared to just 19 rushing attempts, and only 14 of those went to a running back (Zach Charbonnet). It’s not like Grubb’s offense was frequently playing from behind, either. Seattle never trailed by more than seven, and they tied the contest at seven apiece on the ensuing possession following New England’s opening touchdown in the first quarter.

NFL fantasy analyst Kevin Cole recently released a chart of “pass rate versus expectation” for all 32 offenses in the league through two completed weeks. The data takes down and distance, score differential, and other factors into account when making its calculations. The Seahawks have been the league’s second-highest team in pass rate versus expectation, at 64.9% and 6.4% above the expectation.

https://twitter.com/KevinCole___/status/1835704098718392414

Grubb has been outstanding as Mike Macdonald’s OC through two weeks. In a Week 1 victory over the Denver Broncos, he showcased his ability to unlock a rushing attack in the second half that struggled throughout the opening two quarters. In Week 2, Grubb altered his approach to fit his available personnel, opting to place the game in Smith’s hands.

It’s refreshing to see the Seahawks playing aggressive football considering previous OC Shane Waldron was often so reserved. Macdonald gambled when he named Grubb, a first-time professional play caller, his offensive coordinator. That decision is paying dividends thus far.

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Geno Smith proves still capable of putting Seahawks on his back in Week 2 win

The Seattle Seahawks missed superstar running back Kenneth Walker in Sunday’s 23-20 Week 2 overtime win over the New England Patriots. Walker sat with an injury, thrusting Zach Charbonnet into the featured role. Charbonnet rushed for just 38 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries against a tough Patriots defensive front, averaging just 2.7 yards per attempt.

The Seahawks rushed for just 46 total yards of offense. The inefficiency from the ground game placed a ton of pressure on Geno Smith. Smith responded with arguably his best performance in a Seahawks uniform.

Smith completed 33-of-44 passing attempts for 327 yards and one touchdown. It was more completions than Smith had in any single game last season, and would’ve been his fourth-highest passing yards total of the 2023 campaign. To achieve that in Week 2 captures how comfortable Smith is in Ryan Grubb’s offense.

Smith had two receivers surpass 100 receiving yards (DK Metcalf, 129, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba 117). Metcalf dropped two passes, but Smith still targeted him 14 times. Smith-Njigba saw a game-high 16 targets. With Tyler Lockett playing through an injury, it was Seattle’s other two receivers that handled the volume.

https://twitter.com/AlbertBreer/status/1835388405548556751

And Smith’s passing chart proves he was targeting the entire field. Grubb’s playbook is wide-open to Smith, who played with confidence. Next Gen Stats displayed the following.

Once the Seahawks forced the game into overtime, the Patriots won the coin toss, giving them an opportunity to win the ballgame. But Mike Macdonald’s defense forced a 3-and-out, and Smith promptly led a game-winning drive following the punt. Smith continues to display franchise QB tendencies, and the Seahawks are fortunate to have him. After all, he is, quite literally, now one of the Top 5 quarterbacks in franchise history.

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Seahawks WR DK Metcalf eyes offensive improvement in Week 2

The Seattle Seahawks offense looked rusty, at least during the first half, in Sunday’s 26-20 Week 1 victory over the Denver Broncos. Ryan Grubb’s unit compiled just 304 yards of total offense, a middling 15th-best in the league. Starting quarterback Geno Smith threw for just 158 net yards, the 20th-highest mark in Week 1. Smith was officially 18-of-25 for 171 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.

The Seahawks punted five times, were inefficient on third downs (4-of-12), and lost the time of possession battle (31:14 to 28:46). These metrics displeased superstar wide receiver DK Metcalf, who recorded just three receptions for 29 yards. Metcalf is eyeing better results versus the New England Patriots in Week 2, he told the media on Wednesday.

“We have a pretty good defense and they held us the whole game,” Metcalf said. “We have a tight-knit team in my opinion. The offense stuttered in the first half. Everybody saw it. The way our defense kept responding, they had to go out there and get big stops. We’re going to lean on each other this whole season. Nobody wants to start the season like we did on offense, but we’re going to learn from it.”

The Seahawks have a difficult road matchup against what was a surprisingly good Patriots defense in Week 1. The Patriots defense enters this weekend’s game ranked second in points allowed (10), third in rushing yards allowed (70), and 12th in passing yards (154). Metcalf and his teammates will have to execute with better efficiency if they’re to achieve desired improvement.

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3 Seahawks who need to be better against Patriots in Week 2

The Seattle Seahawks claimed victory in Week 1 over the Denver Broncos. Head coach Mike Macdonald is thrilled to begin his era with a win, but the 26-20 scoreline over a rookie quarterback at Lumen Field was arguably closer than many anticipated. The Seahawks should be road favorites against the New England Patriots in Week 2.

Several of Seattle’s high-end talents were quiet in Sunday’s Week 1 victory. Other starters were below-average performers. We’ve identified three Seahawks players who must showcase improvement in Week 2.

DK Metcalf

No. 1 wide receiver DK Metcalf was limited to three receptions for 29 yards on four targets. Metcalf was only held under 30 receiving yards once in 2023, so this wasn’t the ideal start for Seattle’s dominant wideout in Ryan Grubb’s offense. Starting quarterback Geno Smith must make it a priority to get his big-time playmaker more involved this weekend.

Anthony Bradford

Sophomore right guard Anthony Bradford is the biggest question mark on an offensive line littered with them. The former LSU standout edged out rookie blocker Christian Haynes for the starting gig during training camp and the preseason.

Bradford struggled mightily against the Broncos. He was whistled for three penalties and allowed two pressures en route to a Pro Football Focus pass-blocking grade of 30.9. Similar results will eventually get him replaced in the lineup by Haynes.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba

It wasn’t just Metcalf that was barely involved in the passing game. Sophomore wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba recorded just two receptions on two targets for 19 receiving yards. Grubb placed more emphasis on establishing the run game, and the receivers suffered as a result.

Smith-Njigba’s 19 yards would have been his fifth-lowest total during his rookie campaign, and his two targets would’ve tied his lowest rookie-season output. It was veteran Tyler Lockett that led the Seahawks in targets, catches, and yards. Smith-Njigba should be more involved versus the Patriots.

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Seahawks stayed committed to run game in OC Ryan Grubb’s debut

Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb routinely discussed the importance of the run game this past offseason when asked about his philosophies. Grubb made his official debut as the Seahawks’ OC in Sunday’s 26-20 Week 1 victory over the Denver Broncos. He used his first showcase as an opportunity to prove he’s a man of his word.

Seattle’s run game notably struggled throughout the first half against a difficult Broncos front seven. Combined, running backs Kenneth Walker III and Zach Charbonnet rushed for just 22 yards via nine attempts. Despite that ineffectiveness, Grubb stuck with the run game in the second half.

Grubb’s six-play scoring drive to begin the third quarter included five runs by Walker, including his explosive 23-yard touchdown. Walker finished with 103 rushing yards via 20 carries. He averaged an effective 5.2 yards per carry. Starting quarterback Geno Smith showered Grubb with praise postgame for making the appropriate halftime adjustments.

Charbonnet wasn’t as productive as a rusher, totaling just 12 yards on eight carries, and 1.5 yards per attempt. But Grubb managed to get his change-of-pace back involved. Chabonnet scored a 30-yard receiving TD in the fourth quarter that extended Seattle’s lead to 26-13.

Heading into Monday Night Football, the Seahawks currently rank eighth in the league in rushing yards with 146. Their 33 total rushing attempts ranks seventh, and their 4.4 yards per carry places 13th. Only one team (the Washington Commanders, 3) scored more rushing touchdowns (2) than the Seahawks did.

Seattle’s offense should fire on all cylinders this season if Grubb can continue fielding a well-balanced unit.

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