Seahawks: O-Line? More like O-No!
The Seattle Seahawks have a crisis on their hands. Their offensive line is weighing down a roster that should be ready to fly to another title.
Offensive linemen aren’t praised as much as any other skill position is. That is understandable; they’re not playmakers. But do people really understand that offensive linemen are arguably the most important position in the game?
Without these barbarians, there’s no 2,000 yard rushers or quarterbacks winning league MVP’s. They make football like Tango makes Cash.
We only notice these guys if plays aren’t being executed properly. We’re quick to judge them if your quarterback doesn’t make a first down or is being sacked. “Let’s not blame it on the players we wear on our back, let’s blame it on the unappreciated fat guy.”
See how easy that was? People don’t realize how difficult playing this position really is. I for one don’t, but studying the game on a daily basis, I do know it takes size, intelligence, strength and quickness.
The Seattle Seahawks have had a problem at the position since 2012 and right now, it’s looking to be the worst it’s been in the Pete Carroll, Tom Cable era. Let’s face it, the Seahawks have made the offensive line a relatively low priority over the years, and although it’s been a successful formula for them, it’s starting to catch up to them.
Coming into the season, the Seahawks offensive line underwent an overhaul, and put a new face at each position to start the 2016 season. How has it paid off thus far? Well one, it has led to multiple scares for Russell Wilson as he’s dealing with a left high ankle sprain and right MCL sprain. It’s been a big factor in not only Wilson’s productivity as a runner, but the overall run game for this offense.
The Seahawks are 31st in rushing at 3.12 YPC. Wilson’s 1.50 YPC is far off his career average, as he entered the season at 5.91 YPC. Can that be the result of his injury? Sure. Him being at full-strength can change a lot in that aspect. Wilson’s ability to rely on his feet basically takes a man away from a defense.
So for the time being, the injury takes away Wilson’s efforts to bail out the Seahawks offensive line as we’re all accustom to, to having them protect him in the pocket. It’s been a thought every Seahawks fan cringes over and over going into every Sunday. If Seattle wants to continue their years of success, this situation that they have put themselves in, must be address immediately.
During the offseason, just before the season kicked off. The Minnesota Vikings went and traded for quarterback Sam Bradford when their 1st-round pick, Teddy Bridgewater went down and suffered a horrific knee injury. They knew that they couldn’t waste such a talented roster, so they had to give up an arm and a leg to savior their season.
Well, what’s the difference between Seattle’s situation with their offensive line? NOTHING. We know the Seahawks value their draft picks, they have one of the best scouting departments around the league. They’re capable of finding 3rd to 6th round picks and turning them into all-pro caliber players. The success of drafting well has been the reasoning behind the Seahawks consistency year in a year out.
It’s time for Seattle to give up an arm and a leg and rely on heart to further expectations deep into the playoffs. Were in a season where guys like Earl Thomas, Richard Sherman, Michael Bennett, Cliff Avril and company are at their best. According to our friend Jacson Bevens over at FieldGulls, the Seahawks defense spent 46:21 on the field against the Arizona Cardinals in a tie in Week 7.
That marks 9th most in NFL history and they only allowed 6 points. Let that sink in or read it over and over until it does. They can’t go on and waste such talent and keep on risking injury to Russell Wilson, one of the most important players to the Seahawks.
With the restrictions of the salary cap, teams have to make a choice about their financial priorities. The Seahawks have opted, quite successfully, to sink most of their payroll into maintaining a very expensive defense, quarterback and other skill-set players. Forgetting about a group who is supposed to set the tone throughout games, in dark winters, barley surviving to keep warm.
Next: Why Seattle's offense died on Sunday
The Seahawks need to establish a higher priority for their line play. The importance and precedence towards this group of unappreciated warriors. Sacrifice needs to be made in order to stay at the top without crumbling down.