10 Years of a Failing Offensive Line

[@person3070]

Investing in Jamal Adams and Quandre Diggs instead of Oline has been a disaster

[@Perfumery_by_Sabin]

We need a better pass rush. Let’s give up the farm for a undersized edge rusher

[@SuperZekethefreak]

Part of the problem was undoubtedly Pete Carroll. Both JS and PC arrived after we had drafted Walter Jones (1997), Steve Hutchinson (2001), Max Unger (2009) and other decent O-linemen in between those years. Pete and John agreed that O-line was overrated and overpaid, with John literally saying this in interviews. Keeping Unger, we won a championship, so their strategy paid off, until it didn't. Watching the 2023 draft where we passed on Paris Johnson Jr, Matthew Bergeron, Steve Avilla, Joe Tippman, Cody Mauch, John Michael Schmitz, O'Cyrus Torrence and other beefy red and blue chippers was MADDENING, especially after both JS and PC identified O-line as the biggest need.

[@owencarter3198]

Kenneth walker would be widely recognized as easily top 5 if we had an average oline

[@TheHawksNest12thman]

You're right, he would.

[@coolbreeze4249]

Top 3

[@pretentiouscameron7815]

We have completely wasted his rookie deal. We will probably trade him this off-season since we won't want to pay a running back big money. Such a waste

[@addicted2hawks115]

Man Owen, I totally agree with you hear. Even just an AVERAGE OL would help K9 AND help Geno Smith look like an MVP with our talented receivers. Great comment! Can't wait (slightly nervous) about the Bills game tomorrow. Go Hawks!

[@henrydiesel4054]

Thank you Brandon for calling JS out. He’s being flying under the radar with bad Oline picks for years

[@solvereadingproblemswithph9070]

I remember the Max Unger trade, which made no sense to me!

[@Christian-ip3vz]

John is not getting the deserved criticism from the Seattle media.

[@Zorn76]

The Seahawks media is as soft as any in the league. It's unbelievable how poorly OL has been selected for the last 15 yrs.

[@addicted2hawks115]

I must agree...for years, Pete got a 'pass' on the quality of the defense each year. Like Brandon said..Schneider publically said OLine players in the league are overpaid. Well if he does NOT resign Connor Williams for 2025 and Cross for 2025 he should be fired on the spot imo. Also he needs to get our 2025 cap straightened out and get some 'proven' veteran OL. If he fails to do this, the media should jump on him. Schneider hit a 'home run' by getting MacDonald and Grubb (wise decisions). But if he CAN'T see that an OLine is needed to help Geno, then he has to go imo. Go Hawks!

[@nicholasnewton6775]

Our oline is a horror film

[@addicted2hawks115]

Nicholas, calling our OLine a horror film is an 'insult' to all horror films...heehee. Just teasing..I 100% agree with you. If Schneider fails to pay some quality FA Oline guys (not washed up vets like Tomlinson and Fant) for the 2025 season, I think he can go joint Pete Carroll on some beach in Hawaii (or wherever Pete is now). Loved your comment. Go Hawks!

[@2TrackMind-c6i]

Best analysis of the Seahawks ever.

[@TheHawksNest12thman]

Thank you, 2Track!

[@grahamsmith2022]

In truth the O line has been wobbly since Walter Jones retired and Steve Hutchinson left in free agency,Hasslebeck suffered with a poor O line but Russ disguised the O line with his amazing mobility but even he got sacked at a worrying rate,testament to his incredible toughness that he wasn't injured and as you said Marshawn was a bulldozer.

[@vincew3923]

You could put TE in there too. Schneider has talked about wanting another Zach miller but they haven’t had worthy production out of the position. Lots of picks, trades, and FA signees on the TE list. And our o-line doesn’t help us use them effectively either. I’m sure we all have flashbacks to Jimmy graham trying to block DEs on zone runs.

[@Richard-il6wc]

Or trying very hard, NOT to block DE's😂

[@jsods1]

The Seahawks aren't allowed to have an elite O line or game changing tight end. It's in the rules.

[@addicted2hawks115]

This made me LOL for real. You are right, there must be some hidden/unwritten rule that we can't have a great OLine and tight ends. However, I must admit I think AJ Barner has enough skills, that by the time his rookie contract ends, he will get a big bag of cash from some OTHER team...just like Colby Parkinson. Great comment. Go Hawks!

[@THATREALBREW]

Excellent commentary! You said it all.

[@TheHawksNest12thman]

Thank you, Brew!

[@deep3805]

The O-line went downhill right after they traded Max Unger for Jimmy Graham.

[@malalamalala6769]

Well spoken.

[@TheHawksNest12thman]

Thanks, Malala!

[@chaddwamboldt9763]

Very well done yet again, Brando. Need to say this over and over like a constant broken record and I know I take heat on this but if DK would finally learn how to play WR properly, the Oline's problems would be mitigated by a great deal. They are and have been using him as a feature WR, however he hasn't been standing up to the task. Only this week did he admit and fully seem to understand that his routes are a problem and while that is a happy moment that it finally hit him, it only took 6 NFL seasons and a lifetime of playing the position to learn it....I learned this stuff as a sophomore in high school as does any other WR who has ever played this position. ...Again, and this goes out to anyone reading, the offense is a clock and the timing needs to be perfect for the whole machine to function...thos dropbacks are steps which are timed...the pass protection is all timed and it's less about blocking a guy then about being in the right posiiton at the right time. Defensive pass rushes aren't very difficult to suss out and are more or less easily predictable, at least when it comes down to fractions of a second...the Online needs to be in the right place as the QB dropsback, so it's more about, again, positioning than the guys who are actually rushing. There are of course all kinds of stunts, fakes, and, with Mike Macs style of D, switching of rushers all over the place, but to have an affective offensive play work, regardless of any defense or any specific defenders, the offensive players absolutely need to be in the right place at the right time...always and without exception. As DK, therefore, goes, the rest of the offense goes and this almost single handedly has been our offensive problems since he's been here. Even in the run game, if he doesn't make his proper block, or, like JSN did a couple weeks ago, run off his defenders to free up space for the RB, then more than likely it's going to be his guy that makes the tackle. Ok rant over..for now....but I'm just so happy that more and more people are becoming aware of this, especially, of course, DK himself.

[@chaddwamboldt9763]

One more thing actually, as he finally accepted and admitted that Geno INT was his fault the other day, please understand that easily half if not more of ALL of Geno's or Russ's INTs over the years DK has been in the league have been on DK and not the QB....the camera does not show this stuff so it's hard for people to see it, and I get that, but this is a straight fact.

[@DVDA4EVR]

So, you're telling me there's a chance... -Lloyd Christmas.

[@pretentiouscameron7815]

I think trading Unger for Graham was worse than trading 2 firsts for Adams. Offensive line is trash, and fans blamed Schotty or Waldron. Or they now blame Geno and Grubb. Schneider is who the blame should fall on

[@andyhampsten4252]

That Graham trade upset me. He runs lazy routes.

[@Richard-il6wc]

​@@andyhampsten4252 And he pretty much refused to block.

[@rdrouynriv]

Geno is on pace for 54 sacks. That would be almost double from last year.

[@badass1g]

His salary doubled too so he’s earning his big paycheck!

[@54thAveW_Band]

Desperate times call for Desperate measures? Terrible idea but… Put Byron Murphy on the O-Line and let him push some Defenders around?

[@jeremymcsorley7711]

Well done sir.

[@TheHawksNest12thman]

Thank you, Jeremy!

[@johnruiz6743]

The offensive line is definitely scary in the wrong way! 🤦🏻

if John doesn't fix the line this off season he is out of here I am tired of him ignoring the offensive line. he will be fired

[@HolyHandGrenade.]

Do we need to have a john discussion if he Ignores the oline again this year?

[@TheHawksNest12thman]

I'm not quite ready to go there myself, but if we go through another offseason of half measures towards the positions, it's going to get hard to defend.

[@jeffkrakowiak2826]

That was a very disturbing watch.

[@dvn3605]

It could’ve been better but i think he’s done about all he can the last couple years. I went down a list of all the top rated o-lines and there is only one team who truly invested the highest capital around on their line and that’s Detroit. All other teams have a couple day 1 and 2 picks and then like a random udfa or 7th rounder from like 2019. Maybe it’s the evaluation that’s the problem?

[@thomascox9362]

So I did a mock draft after a seattle play. I believe they will copy the ravens model with them drafting a dlineman and olineman in the first few picks could happen.. but the first couple picks was this Trade back 19 malaki starks S Georgia 2nd round Tyler booker LG bama Barrett Carter LB Clemson 3rd round Dontay Corleone DL Cincinnati 4th to 7th round Jahaad Campbell LB bama Tai Felton WR Maryland Riley Leonard QB Notre dame Gunnar helm TE Texas Jack Nelson OT Wisconsin Colin Oliver OLB/DE Oklahoma st Terrance Ferguson TE oregon Reason why I went this route is that seattle needs to get younger and hungrier at safety, linebacker, interior oline. So I used Baltimore model by going BPA, and drafting atleast one lineman with the first three picks. Starks shows a willingness to tackle who could be a Macdonald Kyle Hamilton, booker is in the scheme that grubb and huff run and plays really good at left guard protecting Jalen milroe, Carter is a hungry LB that could be Macdonald pick just like tyrice knight and that includes Campbell. The reason why I drafted olineman is that I'm hoping either lucas comes back, Haynes improve later in the season and seattle resign Williams to a multi million dollar deal. So LG plus depth is the only position I believe seattle should go after. The qb position is difficult because I like the LSU qb, milroe or the miami qb. Honestly I believe seattle will wait til the 2026 draft before they select their future qb.

[@daltonballard8309]

I still can't get over them not drafting Creed Humphrey over Dee Eskridge

[@TheHawksNest12thman]

Me either.

[@alejandroarreola1216]

This video summarizes it all the bad moves John has done for the past seasons , no more Russell to save his ineptitude to draft well

[@GreenBeanGreenBean]

The GM is the largest problem the Hawks have. Spending 3 2nd round picks on RB and none on offensive line, coulda had Lamar for 50m just had to write a cheque and people think paying Geno 40 or 45 is fine? No. Paying non-impact players large $$ like Dremont Jones, signing Jamal Adams to a max contract and multiple 1st rounders... instant D or F grading on the GM. Coulda signed CMC (and not the 49ers), Hawks didn't even draft Marshawn... they traded Buffalo for him....

[@Shadowbot074]

Imagine K9 with a decent o line 😢

[@addicted2hawks115]

I 100% agree with your comment...but admit you have also made me sad...K9 and Geno deserve a better OLine. Hope to see you in Brandon's game day chat.

[@badass1g]

We’ve been average ever since Donald broke Wilson’s finger. Sad!

[@8269wd]

We wasted resources on Sam Howell. Dominic Puni could be had if we still had the other 3rd round pick. Then we would be set in the interior. Last year we should have drafted Dawand Jones to back up instead of Bradford. Now we are paying for it with mismanagement of resources.

[@iron_bison]

We could have just drafted puni. Haynes? Looks like the other haynes as of now.

[@8269wd]

@@iron_bison Christian Haynes should be good, they should just bench Bradford and start Haynes.

[@addicted2hawks115]

Hey Brandon, LOVE this video. When Schneider essentially said OLine players are overpaid, I was one of the first people to 'scream'. I think if you did a video showing the OL salaries from the 2023 top 8 playoff teams, this would also show that paying your OLine is a good to great investment. Damien Lewis may(?) have been overpaid AND I haven't bothered to check his 2024 PFF grades. But I would drop $100 in Vegas right now betting that Geno Smith wishes Lewis was still on the team, intstead Tomlinson. One question, if Schneider fails to improve the 2025 OLine, specifically paying 1 or 2 proven Free Agents some cash...will the Seahawks kinda become a version of the Mariners? Meaning, why bother watching...can't win with out OL. Sorry for the rant, but 100% agree with your points here. Go Hawks! P.S. Do you think Schenault or Dareke Young get a chance to play the 'DK' role on Sunday?

[@TheHawksNest12thman]

Thanks Addicted! My gut says Laviska is going to get more of an increased role. Grubb could really catch the Bills off guard as I imagine they wouldn't have prepared for him that much.

[@kieronmckay4276]

“I’ve made a huge mistake” - John Arrested Development joke…anyone?

[@geraldturner4770]

That's a beautiful offensive line log you got there, John Schneider. How about if I give it a kick? That's a scary offensive line tiger you got there, John Schneider. What's it made out of?

[@DanzoB79]

Is it just me, or does it seem like the pool of impactful available free agent interior O-linemen is pretty shallow every year?

[@TheHawksNest12thman]

If a team has an impactful linemen, they're definitely holding them and not letting them get to free agency in this day and age. I'd offer there are some solid options every year that reach free agency, but alas, then the team would have to pay max prices to get them.

[@DanzoB79]

@@TheHawksNest12thman Good points.

[@PoncieDiaz-v8n]

Jimmy Graham trade was bad too and Jamal Adams.

[@enigma9971]

I thought we had finally turned the corner on this issue when we drafted Olu and then last year we drafted Laumea, but they're sitting on the damn bench! 😂

[@brianmyers4444]

Olu isn’t a G and Laumea isn’t ready….

[@iron_bison]

Laumea is just a guy.

[@ianhorning3931]

I’ve been screaming this for years. D line, O line. They make everyone in their respective units better.

[@andis9076]

U forgot to mention there have increased in DL quality in recent draft.

[@artvandelay8030]

Hhaha brutal. I can't hardly engage with Seahawks football right now. Too many shit seasons. This offensive line thing is chronic. Remember when we had number three running all over the fking field.... what did we call that? The breakdown bootleg? Total turkey feast

[@NathanDalebout]

Can we put any of this on coaching ? Or is it just bad talent ?

[@TheHawksNest12thman]

A lack of development is certainly a big part of this, especially if the team isn't going to utilize methods to find already solid players, not over the hill. They did just move to this new coaching staff, so we can't hold them responsible for past lack of development, but it'll be something to watch and was part of the prior issue.

[@stevenhearnden6103]

So astute. 😢 🇬🇧

[@chrissnape9537]

Poor drafting on the Oline with star skill players 😮

[@jaybee1061]

This will also be the 6th straight year the "D" finishes ranked in the bottom of the league. Time for a new GM.

[@brianmyers4444]

You don’t know that….try waiting until all the players are healthy and get comfortable in the scheme…

[@iron_bison]

​@@brianmyers4444the lbs are just guys. Same with the safeties. Tre briwn isn't good and never has been. The dline i hoped would be a strength is basically just guys after murphy, reed, and williams. It's not a good unit.

[@MAXIMUSRELDAS]

Go hawks

[@deathstar5138]

Should have kept Pete and fire JS

[@j.davidcox3783]

Problem is the Oline has to be strong all the way along. A weak link is an open door. CC is not enough. Add Abe and it is still not enough. We need 8 big horse who know how to push forward instead of always backpeddaling into Geno. Maybe DK at tight end? Maybe Byron M goes offensive? Maybe John learns something about the importance of the Oline?

[@andyhampsten4252]

Wow, that decade long pff cellar dwelling says it all

[@brianmyers4444]

I’ve put this thought out here before but here goes…is the line good, no…is it average, no….but since JS really took more control from Pete we have drafted seven o linemen in the last three years, all still on the team…..and this past offseason JS signed either five or six free agent o linemen…..resources have been put toward the line….did they all hit, no just like any other GM trying to build a roster…add in Abe’s injury and the new staff/blocking scheme this year….additional injuries this year also…..o lines need to play as a unit to jell and become even average….that has been unable to happen due to all the factors I’ve mentioned….working with a couple of if’s, Lucas return and Haynes getting more comfortable, a line of Cross, Laken, Williams, Haynes, and Lucas together at some point in the season will be above average imo…possibly Bradford if he can move to LG….more patience is needed during this time of transition….

[@iron_bison]

Maybe next year. Willians is having his worst year as a center. Injury pass so i'll wait and see. Had hoped tomlinsin would be something, he's not. Haynes was suppised to be plug and play. He's not. With a mix of hope and realism i can't see how Lucas coming back for half a season is going to do much. Better than forsythe? Sure.

[@brianmyers4444]

@@iron_bison can't agree... Williams arguably played his best game of the season against the San Francisco 49ers in Week 6. Among all offensive lineman, Williams played the most pass-blocking snaps (53) with allowing a single pressure, according to Pro Football Focus. It marked the first game this campaign Williams wasn’t credited with allowing a pressure, mind you he’s allowed just one (1) pressure in four of his other five appearances. Williams’ worst performance came against the New England Patriots in Week 2, when he was assigned blame for three pressures. The former Texas Longhorn standout has allowed two sacks.

[@rolandconnor575]

When Hawks won first three games against sub par QBs and teams, MacDonald was a genius.... when they lost the next three it was because they had Pete's old players. Pete should sue for Ageism. Shame on you Jody and John for doing that to Pete. He can do 9-8 at 72 years of age.

[@brianmyers4444]

Yes shame on them for keeping Pete so long….

[@iron_bison]

9-8? Why is that anyone's goal

[@nathanstrange9044]

The only way to fix this O-line debauchery is thru the draft. So I recommend patience, probably won't be fixed for 2 more drafts

[@LifeAboveTreeLine99]

In this day and age the old saying, “are you HURT or are you INJURED?!” Doesn’t hit the same. Seems players are quick to miss a game having a sore 🙀 Sadly coincides with our country these days.

[@Eidanclay]

Do you think JS is still good overall or could we use an upgrade?

[@TheHawksNest12thman]

I still believe that JS is a good General Manager, and that this problem is just one of his weak spots he's got to clean up. Def not calling for his job, just want to seem them shift their approach in this given area.

[@iron_bison]

Honestly. Hard to say. It's been easy to blame Pete for bad drafts and i guess credit John for good selections. Somehow some way they both whiffed '17-'21 drafts. Big misses. Very good move on his part with cross and lucas. Not going to blane him for lucas' injury.

[@cravingcaving]

WE DON'T NEED A GOOD O-LINE BECAUSE WE STOPPED RUNNING THE BALL!!! GROUND GRUB

[@genecrow915]

Football is won on the line of scrimmage, Period. When your big guys beat up my big guys you win. That is why so many of our guys are injured all of the time. No blocking... no run game, no pass game, inconsistent offensive plays. Ball carriers are tackled at the ball exchange. Russ compensating by scrambling and having to play hero ball. This past decade has been atrocious! Almost an unwatchable product!!

[@joelsalyer5544]

Isn't this a deliberate result of John Schneider's drafting strategy? I place most of the blame for this on him, which is why he needed to be fired along with pete.

[@JackJackson-f7j]

Kinda ironic ur making this when ur the same guy saying they’ve put a lot of resources into the o line the past 3 years, Seahawk KZbinrs n they’re emotionally based thinking when the team is losing, Stay consistent with ur takes or quit talking about the team.

[@JackJackson-f7j]

And you’ve said the team can’t fix all they’re problems in a off-season but yes when the team is losing, disregard the whole agenda you’ve been pushing and turn into the very same people you hate arguing against in your lives.

[@TheHawksNest12thman]

I guess you didn't watch the whole video or is it just a comprehension issue for you? The Seahawks have indeed placed draft resources into the position the past three years - noted in the video. I've highly supported that in the past, as you noted. But as also stated in the video, there are more ways to building an offensive line rather than exclusively through the draft - this is the nuance you seem to struggle with. The Seahawks have spent on aging, last leg free agents and made zero trades, outside of Duane Brown the past ten years. So essentially, they don't spend money or make any trades to supplement the position. Rather than take a BS tone telling me how to do my job, why don't you instead take more time to try and comprehend what is actually being said.

[@iron_bison]

​@@TheHawksNest12thmanactually don''t stay consistent with your takes. It's a good thing for grownups to review and change their positions. Keep up the great coverage.