Last week I started on a series that will track the progress and rankings of the Seattle Seahawks offensive line and how it ranks in various metrics through the course of the 2019 season. There won’t be much analysis offered, as it will mostly be an effort at consolidating the metrics that are available on offensive lines and individual linemen and offering them here.
As we are all well aware, the Hawks line got off to a rough start in Pittsburgh, before a second quarter switch to a quick passing game allowed Russell Wilson to stay upright and clean for most of the rest of the game. So, with that said, let’s take a look at where the Hawks rank in the same metrics reviewed and see how it compares to a week ago.
Football Outsiders
Run Blocking: 28th (Last Week: 28th)
Pass Blocking: 30th (Last Week: 31st)
NFL.com
The NFL has actually updated their offensive line metrics this week, so unlike last week when it was partial stats that were being used, this includes all 32 teams this time around.
QB Hits Allowed: Tie-25th (Last Week: Tie-14th of 17)
QB Sacks Allowed: Tie-25th (Last Week: Tie-11th of 17)
Pass Blocking Efficiency (From Pro Football Focus)
Pass Blocking Efficiency: 30th (Last Week: 31st)
PFF Grades
PFF pass pro grades vs Pitt:
— James Thomas (@JamesThomasHT) September 16, 2019
Brown - 61
Ifedi - 57
Britt - 50
Iupati - 37
Fluker - 14
Russ da gawd
Those are the pass blocking grades, but it’s not as if the run blocking grades were a whole lot higher. That said, PFF graded Germain Ifedi as the best run blocker on the line for Week 2. Justin Britt, Duane Brown, Ifedi, Mike Iupati and George Fant all earned grades in the 55.6 to 63.1 range. Meanwhile, D.J. Fluker and Ethan Pocic earned grades for their Week 2 performance that were lower in all three categories (overall grade, pass blocking grade and run blocking grade) than Ifedi’s 2016 grades as a rookie. Obviuosly, Fluker was battling an injury and Pocic was on and off the bench and saw snaps at both guard spots, but their performance was subpar by any measurement.
Just a note for those who were holding out hope that the show the Cincinnati Bengals put on in Week 1 was simply a very good front seven facing off against the Seattle line, that appears to not be the case. It’s obvious that the Hawks didn’t have any film on the Bengals defense under the new coaching staff, however, with only a single week’s worth of film to go off of, the Bengals defense was unable to sack San Francisco 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo in Week 2. In addition, the Bengals defense only pressured Garoppolo a half dozen times on 25 pass attempts, hitting him only twice. Thus, while it’s possible the Bengals defense played out of its mind in Week 1, at this point the evidence seems to indicate that the Hawks offensive line may not be as good as we had hoped and expected heading into the season.
In any case, it’s on to the New Orleans Saints in Week 3, against whom it’s likely Russ won’t be seeing any kind of let up in pressure. Through the first two weeks the Saints lead the NFL with nine sacks and are tied for second in QB Hits with 17. It would be nice to get a good performance under the belt for the line because Russ has taken six or more sacks 11 times during his career, and seven of those 6+ sack games have come against the Arizona Cardinals and St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams, who the Hawks will face back to back in Week 4 and Week 5.