There’s been much talk about the struggles of the Seahawks’ offensive line this week. Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson was constantly under pressure in Monday’s 13-10 victory over the Detroit Lions, being sacked six times and hit another 10. Meanwhile, fill-in running back Thomas Rawls was regularly met at the line of scrimmage, managing just 48 yards on 17 carries.
So the line was a major topic of conversation Wednesday. Here’s what people were saying:
COACH PETE CARROLL
First off, Carroll said the starting five of center Drew Nowak, guards J.R. Sweezy and Justin Britt, and tackles Garry Gilliam and Russell Okung, would remain the starters for now.
On the line’s play Monday:
“We had some issues. It wasn’t any one guy, stuff happened. We need to help them better. The reality of it, there’s a lot of things that enter into it. Sometimes It’s getting the ball out when we have the chance before the rush gets there. We missed a couple blocks, we missed a couple looks at stuff. They did a nice job with the pressures they brought, too.”
Carroll was asked about Nowak’s snaps, which weren’t always accurate Monday when the Seahawks went to the shotgun, forcing Wilson to move at the start of the play:
“We were not consistent, and it caused us problems. The big turnover we had was a snap that was way off to the side. We had a couple big problems there. It was much different than the other games. It popped up in this game and became a factor for us in the way we were executing. We have to get that cleaned up. That’s a very fundamental part of the game, it easily overlooked. But when you have a game where you have trouble a little bit you can tell it’s enormous factor. That’s something we should be able to get cleaned this week.”
The Seahawks went young on the offensive line, starting two players (Nowak and Gilliam) who had one NFL start between them, while also moving Britt from right tackle to left guard. Carroll was asked about finding the balance between letting young players develop and needing adequate performances, and whether the Seahawks’ have reached the point with the line where changes need to be made to stress performance over development:
“Because of the competitive way we look at it, changes are always imminent, they’re always there, it could happen. That hasn’t been any different from any position on our football team. Some guys after a while they obviously establish a grace period. But the young guys who are coming up, they have a competitive aspect right here hanging with them. These guys up front are in this situation.”
CENTER DREW NOWAK
On what was the most disappointing thing he saw from watching video of the game:
“Myself and the snaps. It’s my job to make sure everything is on point, and it wasn’t the way it was supposed to be. I take 100 percent onus on that, I have to do a better job of that.”
On where the line needs to go from here:
“Honestly we just have to keep getting better each day, being more consistent. That’s our key, being consistent in the run game and pass game, and protect Russ because he can’t be getting hit as much as he is now.”
GUARD J.R. SWEEZY
On the line’s performance so far this season:
“We’re a little shaky at times, I think everybody can notice that. We’re making a big stride to get our stuff together and get our offense where we need to be. We’re going to make strides to do that this week and continue to get better.”
On what needs to be improved:
“Obviously we can’t let the quarterback get hit as much as he’s getting hit. That’s just obvious. In the run game, just being on the same page and if we do that we’re pretty good. That’s the thing, though. If we’re not all on the same page, that’s when we get into trouble. We’re going to continue to work on it and get better at it.”
Has the line improved with regards to getting on the same page?
“Yeah. We are, for the most part. It’s just the one-out-of-five plays that we’re not it hurts us. If we’re going to be a great team like we know we can be, that can’t happen. We’re just going to strive to keep getting better and get that out of our game.”
GUARD JUSTIN BRITT
Finally, Britt had a pointed comment regarding the criticism directed the line’s way:
“Criticism? I don’t pay attention to that. I just know people and reporters will watch and not know what they’re looking for. They haven’t played football before. I laugh at them and don’t give them the time of day. I’m in here every day and know what’s going on.”
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