Pete Carroll, Seattle Seahawks Demonstrating Adaptability on Offensive Line
RENTON, Wash. - In a rare occurrence approaching the midway point of the schedule, the Seattle Seahawks started the same offensive line for the second consecutive game in Sunday's 24-20 win over the Cleveland Browns, marking the first time that has happened all season long due to injuries.
Even with third-year blocker Stone Forsythe replacing starter Abraham Lucas at right tackle and rookie Anthony Bradford in the lineup for Phil Haynes at right guard, the Seahawks did a fantastic job protecting quarterback Geno Smith, limiting a ferocious Browns pass rush to only one sack and three quarterback hits. The group also helped Ken Walker III and Zach Charbonnet rush for 119 yards on just 13 combined carries and north of nine yards per carry on the afternoon.
One day after the big win at Lumen Field, coach Pete Carroll said the offensive line was the first group to receive praise in Monday's meetings, specifically citing the stellar performance of Charles Cross and the tackles against All-Pro pass rusher Myles Garrett and a top-tier Browns pass rush.
"Those are the first guys I wanted to talk about at the team meeting today, talk about what a terrific job Charles did, giving Myles all the credit, he's a fantastic football player," Carroll said. "But Charles really did well in battling with him. He wound up flipping the other side and one of the guys had shots. On the other side, they did well, too, you saw Jason [Peters] was in the last drive and he had Myles on his side the whole time. And we made it through the drive and he didn't wreck the drive, which he can do. And so I really praised the three tackles for doing a fine job in general against a really good edge group. And I thought that was really an exciting part of this game."
Geno Smith
© Steven Bisig, USA TODAY
But while some may view continuity as a key aspect to Seattle's success at the line of scrimmage on Sunday, as Carroll hinted mentioning veteran Jason Peters being in the lineup on the game-winning drive, a shifting philosophy for the coaching staff deserves far more attention coming out of the game.
Without Lucas, who has been sidelined since the season opener, the Seahawks opened the game with Forsythe starting alongside Bradford. But after two series, they plugged Peters into the lineup for the next couple of series, ultimately rotating the two players at a near 50-50 split with Forsythe logging 32 snaps and Peters playing 26 in his first game action in his 20th NFL season.
In the past, like most coaches, Carroll likely would have shied away from such an arrangement in favor of continuity. But after finding success platooning Haynes and Gabe Jackson at right guard last season and watching line coach Andy Dickerson work his magic playing musical chairs at multiple positions this year, the adaptable coach has warmed up the idea of rotating offensive linemen under certain circumstances.
“We’re trying to get out of that thought that you can’t rotate offensive linemen," Carroll explained. "We’re just trying to grow through that because we rotate guys everywhere. Particularly guys that have earned their way and they’re worthy of being out there, they deserve to play, and it makes us better if they do play."
Acclimating well to the right side in his third career start at the position, Forsythe dished out a key block on a 19-yard gain for receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba on a screen play in the first quarter, setting up a touchdown pass from Smith to Tyler Lockett three plays later to give Seattle a 14-0 lead. For the game, per Pro Football Focus, he allowed only one pressure in pass protection on 22 pass plays, performing at a high level working against Garrett and Za'Darius Smith.
As for Peters, the 41-year old wonder didn't show much rust after spending the past several weeks getting back into shape on the practice squad. While he allowed a couple quick pressures and wasn't flawless, he played at his best on the final drive, allowing Smith the time to complete four out of five passes for 52 yards to complete the late comeback in the closing minute.
While still a quality player in his 20th NFL season who can make positive contributions when called upon, Carroll acknowledged Peters' wealth of experience would be his greatest asset to a Seahawks offensive line filled with first and second-year players like Cross and Bradford.
"We haven’t had a chance to see him live yet, so it was something that I’ve been waiting for," Carroll said of Peters. "He did very well. He moves very well, was aware of what’s going on, worked well with AB [Anthony Bradford] on that side there. He’s going to be able to play and help us. There’s a whole added dimension to Jason getting in the game. He’s been there. He’s been through it. On the sidelines, in the huddle, breaking the huddle, at the line scrimmage, he’s going to be a tremendous value to us. I’m excited about his ability to contribute to what we’re doing.”
In the run game, both Forsythe and Peters played integral roles in the success of Walker and Charbonnet, who busted their three longest runs behind the right side of the offensive line. Each player received an elite grade of 88.0 or better from Pro Football Focus, ranking among the best blockers at their position in Week 8.
Considering how well the pair played and the fact Lucas still isn't ready to return after receiving an injection in his knee, though Carroll didn't give a clear answer one way or another on Monday, the Seahawks may continue to platoon Forsythe and Peters in coming weeks. The latter has two practice squad promotions left before a move would need to be made to sign him to the 53-man roster, giving the team flexibility heading into tough games against the Ravens and Commanders.
Additionally, with Carroll saying Haynes has a chance to return to action this week after missing two games with a calf injury, Seattle could move forward with the veteran and Bradford splitting reps at right guard. This would allow the team to continue developing Bradford with real on-field playing time while also getting Haynes back into the mix following a strong start to the season. It's even possible one or both players could occasionally spell Damien Lewis on the left side.
From Carroll's viewpoint, along with acknowledging the fantastic coaching job by line coach Andy Dickerson, the Seahawks owe the continued success while playing musical chairs in part due to the fact players such as Forsythe, Haynes, and Jake Curhan have been thrust into game action as part of platoons in the past. As the team keeps navigating through injuries, the once foreign concept of rotating players in the trenches doesn't look to be going away anytime soon.
"As you go down the road and you need guys, it’s worked out for us the entire first part of this season. I think everybody has played in all of the rotations and all of that. I no longer ascribe to the thought that you can’t rotate offensive linemen. We’ve already proven that. It’s a good part of our thought process and it helps us.”
