The huge problem Seahawks must fix before Week 11 versus 49ers

I know you'll be shocked, 12s, but one of the problems the Seattle Seahawks have to fix - and almost certainly won't - is the same issue they've faced all season. Oddly enough, they added another major issue all by themselves.

The Seahawks made some noise before the trade deadline and picked up a player who may be critical to their success for the next several seasons. So far, Ernest Jones IV is proving to be exactly the player the Hawks needed at the inside linebacker spot. The trade was still a bit of a shock, but Seattle had even more surprises up their sleeve.

Moving on from Tyrel Dodson was much more than a shock. I don't see many winners here, other than rookie Tyrice Knight, who will now step into the weakside linebacker role. Knight looked decent when he stepped in for Jerome Baker earlier this year. He's been a sure tackler and better against the run than either of the now-departed starting inside linebackers. Still, that's a lot to put on a rookie.

The Seattle Seahawks created a new problem without addressing a season-long issue

You know what's coming, don't you, 12s. That's right; it's the opposition's pass rush. And their brick wall run defense. Gee, if only the Seahawks had moved at the trade deadline to pick up a guard. Instead, now they're discussing the possibility of moving Connor Willams from center to guard. For now, it looks like Williams will stay put. Even with the bad snaps we've seen lately, that may be a good thing. The man to step in to play center would likely be undrafted rookie Jalen Sundell.

So if the Hawks have been thinking of moving Williams to guard - not a bad idea, as he played four seasons with the Cowboys there - maybe, just maybe, they could have looked for a center before the deadline. You know, since John Schneider doesn't value guards. It's hard to see that the Seahawks' free agency deals for 2024 have been anything but a serious misfire by Schneider.

So here we are, 12s, staring at the 49ers defense in Week 11. The Niners rank in the top 10 in passing, rushing, and overall yards allowed. They're eighth in forced turnovers and have committed the second-fewest penalties. In case that doesn't make it clear, the Seahawks' offensive line has its work cut out for it Sunday, even if Abraham Lucas makes it back to the lineup.

I have more thoughts on the self-inflicted wound Seattle created by cutting Dodson, but that can wait for another time. It's enough for now that Seattle will face their nemesis with the same guard who rarely gets it done, if ever. "No right side of the offensive line, no problem" seems to be the new motto.

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