Tag: seahawks offense

Could the Seahawks make a surprising decision at RG?

Could the Seahawks make a surprising decision at RG?

Seattle Seahawks starting right guard Anthony Bradford suffered an ankle injury in Sunday’s Week 12 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. He was helped to the sidelines before being carted into the locker room, making him unlikely to play versus the New York Jets in Week 13. The expectation would be that rookie second-string guard Christian Haynes would start in his place. Not so fast, says head coach Mike Macdonald.

The Seahawks plan to evaluate fellow rookie blocker Sataoa Laumea, Macdonald said on Tuesday. Laumea will compete with Haynes for the vacant right guard position. It indicates the Seahawks aren’t overly pleased with Haynes.

Haynes had previously received opportunities to compete with Bradford for the starting gig, but the rookie guard eventually lost ground to the second-year pro. Pro Football Focus credits Haynes with allowing six pressures and one sack in 113 pass-blocking snaps. His season-long overall grade currently sits at a lackluster 50.4.

Laumea has not played a single snap for the Seahawks this season. He featured regularly in the preseason, playing admirably. The sixth-round selection out of Utah allowed just one pressure and zero sacks.

Laumea was drafted three rounds (No. 180) after Haynes (No. 81). Bradford hasn’t played particularly well this season, so Haynes’ initial failure to dethrone him at right guard spoke volumes. With Laumea earning consideration to enter the lineup, the Seahawks are making their third-round blocker earn every rep.

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Pro Football Focus’ 3 highest-graded Seahawks vs. Cardinals on offense in Week 12

Pro Football Focus’ 3 highest-graded Seahawks vs. Cardinals on offense in Week 12

The Seattle Seahawks captured a critical victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, winning their Week 12 contest within the NFC West 16-6.  Starting quarterback Geno Smith completed 22 of 31 passing attempts for 254 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. Smith and the offense were effective enough on offense. Analyzing the advanced metrics, these were the Seahawks’ three highest-graded players on offense, according to Pro Football Focus.

Kenneth Walker III | 88.2

It was borderline surprising to see Kenneth Walker III score so highly considering he rushed for 41 yards and zero touchdowns via 16 carries. The Cardinals shut down the former Michigan State standout, holding Seattle’s preferred ball carrier to 2.6 yards per carry. Walker however chipped in with four receptions on six targets for 52 receiving yards, totaling nearly 100 yards of offense.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba | 79.1

Jaxon Smith-Njigba continues to enjoy a breakout sophomore campaign. JSN was once again Smith’s go-to target on Sunday, leading the Seahawks in receptions (six) and receiving yards (77). Smith-Njigba also scored Seattle’s only offensive touchdown of the afternoon. JSN is living up to the hype as last year’s first-round selection.

DK Metcalf | 69.8

DK Metcalf remains Smith’s tried and true deep threat. The vertical boundary receiver accumulated four receptions for 59 receiving yards. The highlight of Metcalf’s afternoon was a 29 yard reception, Seattle’s second-longest play from scrimmage on offense. The Cardinals had few answers for Seattle’s passing attack.

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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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Seahawks RT Abe Lucas inches closer to full strength in Week 12 win

Seahawks RT Abe Lucas inches closer to full strength in Week 12 win

Third-year Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle Abe Lucas made his second consecutive start in Sunday’s 16-6 Week 12 victory over the Arizona Cardinals. Lucas made his regular-season debut in last weekend’s win over the San Francisco 49ers. Sunday’s showing indicates Seattle’s preferred right tackle is nearing full strength.

Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald and offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb made the decision to occasionally rotate Lucas out of the lineup against San Francisco, replacing him with rookie blocker Mike Jerrell to allow Lucas to catch his breath. That did not occur versus the Cardinals. He played every offensive snap.

Lucas wasn’t perfect. The former Washington State standout was whistled for two illegal formation penalties. Pro Football Focus credited Lucas with allowing two quarterback pressures and zero sacks.

Lucas graded subpar as a run blocker, earning a 50.3 from PFF’s decision makers. It was significantly lower than his debut run-blocking grade of 79.0 last week. Seattle struggled to effectively run the football. Starting ball carrier Kenneth Walker III was limited to 41 rushing yards via 16 carries (2.6 yards per carry).

Lucas’ ability to play the complete workload of snaps indicates progress. The penalties and occasional setbacks in pass protection and as a run blocker indicates he’s still shaking off the rust. Lucas should continue improving down the critical stretch of Seattle’s 2024 season.

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Seahawks RT Abe Lucas should play full workload vs. Cardinals

Seahawks RT Abe Lucas should play full workload vs. Cardinals

Seattle Seahawks right tackle Abe Lucas made his regular-season debut in Sunday’s Week 11 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. Head coach Mike Macdonald wisely decided to ease Lucas back into the offense given his lengthy stint on the sidelines. Lucas rotated in and out of the lineup, totaling 42 offensive snaps. Rookie blocker Mike Jerrell occasionally replaced him, playing 18 snaps after making a handful of starts earlier this year.

Lucas was outstanding and did not appear rusty. Pro Football Focus credited Lucas with allowing one sack and one additional pressure in pass protection. He earned a pass-blocking grade of 73.4. As a run blocker, the former Washington State standout was Seattle’s second-highest graded lineman at 79.0.

Now that Lucas has some in-game reps under his belt, the expectation is that he’ll play 100 percent of Ryan Grubb’s offensive snaps in Sunday’s upcoming critical Week 12 NFC West showdown versus the Arizona Cardinals. Grubb confirmed that Lucas should play the complete workload. It offers a boost to Seattle’s improving offensive line.

The Cardinals have recorded 24 sacks in 10 regular-season games this campaign. Jonathan Gannon has lost both of his best projected pass rushers, BJ Ojulari and Dennis Gardeck, to season-ending injuries. ESPN Stats & Info credits the Cardinals with a pass-rush-win-rate (PRWR) of 30 percent, the second-worst rate in the entire league through 11 completed contests.

Sunday projects as a favorable matchup for Lucas to play 100 percent of snaps for the first time this season.

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Seahawks O Olu Oluwatimi made team history in 1st 2024 start

Seahawks O Olu Oluwatimi made team history in 1st 2024 start

Seattle Seahawks sophomore center Olu Oluwatimi made his first start of the 2024 season on Sunday following Connor Williams’ unexpected decision to retire. Oluwatimi was outstanding in the important Week 11 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. It turns out he captured an intriguing piece of franchise history through his impressive performance.

The center position has been a black hole for general manager John Schneider ever since he traded Max Unger to the New Orleans Saints following the Super Bowl XLIX defeat to the New England Patriots. Since then, the Seahawks have essentially rotated starting centers in every season over the past decade. In that span, the Seahawks have had just two centers register a Pro Football Focus grade of 80-plus in a single game, according to data collected by Brian Nemhauser.

Justin Britt achieved an 80-plus PFF grade in four contests during the 2016 campaign. Ethan Pocic did it once in 2021. Meanwhile, Oluwatimi registered an 80.8 overall score in Sunday’s timely victory over the 49ers.

Oluwatimi also posted a perfect pass-block-win-rate (PBWR), according to ESPN Stats & Info. ESPN Research credited Oluwatimi with 27 victories and zero losses while protecting starting quarterback Geno Smith on his drop backs.

Appropriately addressing the center position has been an elusive task for the Seahawks in recent offseasons. They believed they found a short-term solution in Williams, but his shocking retirement threw a wrench in those plans. Perhaps Seattle has lucked into a long-term option in Oluwatimi, who will attempt to build on his solid debut showing against the Arizona Cardinals in another critical NFC West division game on Sunday.

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Pro Football Focus’ 3 highest-graded Seahawks vs. 49ers on offense

Pro Football Focus’ 3 highest-graded Seahawks vs. 49ers on offense

The Seattle Seahawks claimed a massive victory over the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday, winning their Week 11 contest within the NFC West 20-17. Starting quarterback Geno Smith executed a game-winning drive by rushing for what was essentially a walk-off touchdown. Analyzing the advanced metrics, these were the Seahawks’ three highest-graded players on offense, according to Pro Football Focus.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba | WR | 88.2

Jaxon Smith-Njigba was once again Seattle’s most effective wide receiver, recording 10 receptions for 110 yards. Smith’s game-winning, 11-play drive that gained 83 yards featured two third-down conversions to Smith-Njigba in the clutch. DK Metcalf is back from injury, but JSN is currently Smith’s go-to playmaker.

Olu Oluwatimi | C | 80.8

Sophomore center Olu Oluwatimi was unexpectedly thrust into the lineup after Connor Williams shockingly retired earlier this week. Oluwatimi rose to the occasion, earning an overall grade of 80.8 from PFF as Seattle’s highest-graded offensive lineman. The former Michi 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.

Abe Lucas | RT | 76.8

The theme of returning offensive linemen thriving for the Seahawks continued with right tackle Abe Lucas. Making his season debut, PFF credited Lucas with allowing one sack and one additional pressure in pass protection. With a stellar 76.8 grade, his return appears to have immediately solved Mike Macdonald’s season-long revolving door at right tackle.

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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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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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Keenan Allen explains why former Seahawks OC Shane Waldron failed in Chicago

Keenan Allen explains why former Seahawks OC Shane Waldron failed in Chicago

The Chicago Bears relieved former Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Shane Waldron of his duties earlier this week. Waldron was replaced as their OC by Thomas Brown, who previously worked under Sean McVay in the NFC West. Seahawks fans were not surprised by the decision based on how ineffective their own offense was last season under his ruling.

Waldron was allowed to interview elsewhere following the departure of head coach Pete Carroll. New head coach Mike Macdonald appointed former Washington Huskies OC Ryan Grubb as the new play caller. Grubb has already been an upgrade, considering Waldron’s offense in Seattle lacked identity and productivity.

Bears veteran receiver Keenan Allen is an excellent judge of a coach’s ability to successfully coordinate an offense. Allen is a six-time Pro Bowler and potential future Hall of Famer. Unfortunately for Waldron, he recently went into detail over his coaching failures.

“He was too nice of a guy,” Allen said. Organized team activities, training camp, we fell into a trap of letting things go and not holding people accountable. That’s a slippery slope. Just professionalism and doing things the right way from the beginning,” Allen concluded his critiques with.

Waldron failed in Chicago despite having the No. 1 overall pick and quarterback, Caleb Williams, from the 2024 NFL Draft. The Bears have a loaded offensive supporting cast with DJ Moore, Cole Kmet, Rome Odunze, and D’Andre Swift in addition to Allen. Despite that, the Bears just went 23-straight possessions without a touchdown and are on a three-game losing streak. They’re currently last place in the NFC North division.

The Seahawks are far better off with Grubb as their offensive coordinator.

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