The Seattle Seahawks rookies mixed for 215 snaps in Week 9 in opposition to the Washington Commanders. That was essentially the most to this point this season. This consists of snaps from some gamers not listed on this article akin to Ricky White III (7), Nick Kallerup (11) and Connor O’Toole (17). Along with the debuts of White III and Kallerup, this sport marked the return of FB Robbie Ouzts. Moreover, with three WRs out of the sport (Dareke Younger, Cooper Kupp and Jake Bobo) Tory Horton took on the position of WR2 and due to this fact had extra snaps.
All knowledge used on this article was taken from PFF.
Let’s analyze a few of the key performs from this sport!
Gray Zabel, Guard (48 snaps)
Based on PFF notes, his sport was very dichotomous. He completed second in move block grade with 79.2, with out giving up any strain, however he had the worst rating in run block grade with 44.8. Sure, he wants to enhance within the working sport (as does the remainder of the offensive line), however I don’t assume his sport was that removed from Jalen Sundell’s, for instance, who had the second-best run blocking grade with 70.8.
Let’s begin with these points within the working sport. Within the play above, his get off could be very fast and he will get the attain block. Nevertheless, he can’t maintain the block for very lengthy. When the defensive lineman stretches his arms, he avoids contact with Zabel, and the LG can not recuperate. This “loss,” together with AJ Barner’s, ends in a direct sort out.
Zabel’s goal on this play is to dam the #4. Nevertheless, he’s late in attempting to assist Charles Cross with the primary block on the defensive lineman (#99). This permits the linebacker to penetrate, and Ken Walker tries to chop outdoors, with out success.
There are encouraging snaps, like this one. The middle helps the primary block, and Zabel merely takes the defensive lineman off the display screen. This may have been a giant hole for the working again if Charles Cross had been in a position to keep his block.
I at all times like restoration snaps. It’s pure for gamers to make some errors, so it’s essential that they’ve the flexibility to recuperate and at the very least scale back the injury. Zabel’s first contact is poor, and he begins to lose contact with the DL. However, discover how he adjusts his toes to forestall the DL from advancing.
He analyzes the blitz risk after which comes to assist defend the within hole. He delivers a powerful push, leaving the DL on the bottom. It’s the type of play you need to see out of your OL.
Gray Zabel takes a step in direction of the left facet, however the DL is slanting the within hole. Principally, with one step, he’s again in place to make the block. Definitely, he has among the best footwork within the place.
Nick Emmanwori, Defensive Again (57 snaps)
He had two pressures, six tackles (1 TFL), and was focused 5 instances, and allowed 4 receptions for 46 yards. Different stats embody:
Emmanwori continues to showcase his physicality defending screens. Good anticipation and aggressiveness to push the blocker a number of yards again and mainly make the sort out with one hand. Superior.
Good name by the Commanders to attempt to confuse the protection within the backfield with two RBs, movement, and the specter of a toss. Emmanwori defends the potential for a toss however with out dropping sight of the QB. When the QB retains the ball, the rookie goes after him and forces the #5 to eliminate the ball.
Up and downs right here. I actually favored his transfer to beat the tight finish, threatening the skin hole and attacking the within. The TE, though defeated, manages to save lots of the sack by holding one of many DB’s arms. Emmanwori additionally misplaced Jayden Daniels with the spin transfer and it was an actual likelihood for his first sack. It wasn’t simple, however with higher steadiness and management right here, he may have made the play.
I used to be very to see him in opposition to TEs. Regardless of taking part in as a nickelback, his agility might be examined in opposition to extra explosive slot gamers and could possibly be an issue. I needed to know if he would be capable to shut down a decent finish (this might even assist us in opposition to Trey McBride subsequent week). His press approach is superb, he’s very bodily, he simply wants to search out the “restrict” in order to not commit an unlawful contact or holding penalty, as was the case right here on Zach Ertz.
Don’t take the cheese. A rookie mistake and doubtless the purpose he must work on essentially the most. He has been manipulated by the QB’s eyes and caught out of place in some zone coverages.
Good drop in zone and appears to have recognized the route coming from the opposite facet of the sector (good course of right here). Nevertheless, he will get somewhat misplaced when aiming for the QB’s eyes and offers up the reception.
Elijah Arroyo, Tight Finish (22 snaps)
He had 2 targets and a couple of receptions for 29 yards and his first TD. PFF gave him a run blocking ranking of 57.7, the sixth-worst amongst Seahawks gamers.
Talking of run blocking… Clearly #4 is threatening to assault inside and Arroyo can’t alter to it. The angle is unhealthy and he additionally loses in energy, and the defender will get the sort out.
The play didn’t go incorrect due to Arroyo, however he must be taught to regulate higher. The Seahawks name a pin and pull with Charles Cross and Arroyo as pullers. The TE ought to block #39 and depart the defender extra inside for the LT. With that, the defensive again (#39) has a transparent path to make the sort out.
He performs lined up on the skin (actually, with the receivers’ accidents I believed he would have many extra snaps right here, since there have been solely 3). He comes out on the discharge and tries to make use of his physicality to create separation. After the contact, he improvises a spin and manages to get open deep.
We arrive at his first TD. Good get-off escaping the preliminary contact. He takes benefit of the LB’s sluggish response, and Arroyo wins in depth and receives a superb move from the QB.
Jalen Milroe, Quarterback (0 snaps)
Rylie Mills, Defensive Lineman (0 snaps)
Tory Horton, Large Receiver (37 snaps)
4 targets, 4 receptions, 48 yards and a couple of TDs. Unimaginable effectivity from the rookie.
The Seahawks name the Insert C idea, one thing fairly frequent within the NFL. It’s nothing greater than bringing in a receiver, a TE, to dam the C hole (house between the OT and the TE). Horton has a extra slender body, however he caught my consideration on this block.
The Commanders defend in man-to-man. So, the QB waits for somebody to get open shortly, and Horton manages to try this and converts the down.
Very related name to JSN’s TD in opposition to the Saints. The Commanders use two defenders to cowl #11 and depart Horton in a 1v1. The defender nonetheless commits a penalty, however the WR manages to obtain even with contact and interference by Marshon Lattimore.
After the punt return TD, this was the play I favored most from the rookie. It’s thrilling when the WR wins so shortly popping out of the road of scrimmage. Horton is in a 1v1 once more and with out assist from the security excessive, Mikey Sainristil simply watches the rookie’s second TD.
Robbie Ouzts, Fullback (13 snaps)
Essential return, we hope he continues his evolution. Nonetheless a timid return and he even dedicated a penalty whereas attempting to dam early within the sport.
Bryce Cabeldue, Offensive Lineman (3 snaps)
Solely 3 snaps, so little likelihood to point out something, however I managed to search out one thing good right here. Wonderful attain block and mainly eradicating any likelihood the defender needed to attempt something totally different.
Mason Richman, Offensive Lineman (0 snaps)
Rookies proceed to assist so much. 3 TDs within the sport, a fumble restoration, and no pressures allowed. In snap numbers, this could most likely be the a lot of the season, until Rylie Mills debuts in some unspecified time in the future within the season and has important snaps. That’s unlikely given his damage, this yr ought to mainly be a “redshirt yr.”
