Good morning, 12s. Here's a look at what's out there today — Wednesday, December 28 — about your Seattle Seahawks.
In April, the Seahawks selected offensive tackles Charles Cross & Abraham Lucas in the 2022 Draft. Building the offensive line of the future has been a priority for Seattle, but it's the veterans that are recognized in ESPN's latest rankings. Center Austin Blythe and guard Damien Lewis rank among the Top-10 for several offensive line categories.
ESPN's analytics team breaks down the newly-developed metrics for grading offensive and defensive line play.
Our pass rush win rate metric tells us how often a pass-rusher is able to beat his block within 2.5 seconds. Likewise, our pass block win rate metric conveys the rate linemen can sustain their blocks for 2.5 seconds or longer.
In run stop win rate, a defender can earn a win by doing any of the following: beating his blocker so he's in better position to stop the runner; disrupting the pocket or running lane by pushing his blocker backwards; containing the runner such that he must adjust his running lane; or recording a tackle within three yards of the line of scrimmage. If a defender earns a run stop win, his blocker earns a loss, and vice versa.
Seventh-year center Austin Blythe is tied at No. 8 for the league's best center pass block win rate with a 95 percent. Guard Damien Lewis is tied for No. 3 overall guards league-wide in run block win rate (77%). Lewis was Pro Football Focus' highest-graded Seattle lineman for Week 16's 24-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs with a 74 grade.
As an offensive line, Seattle ranks No. 10 league-wide in pass block win rate, with a 62 percent. Protecting quarterback Geno Smith & opening run lanes for rookie back Kenneth Walker III will be key to Seattle's success in Week 17's home matchup versus the New York Jets.
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More from Around The Web
Brock Huard of Seattle Sports 710AM: Huard: How Seahawks can get their offense back on track.
Seattle Times Sports Staff: National media react to Russell Wilson’s ‘disaster’ season in Denver, and what it means for the Seahawks.
Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times: Analysis: Why Sunday’s game between Seahawks and Jets is a rookie showcase.
Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic: Has Geno Smith regressed amid Seahawks’ skid? Or does he need more help? Both?
Here at Seahawks.com, John Boyle answers questions in this week’s mailbag.
