2009 Offensive Line Analysis - Seattle Seahawks

2009 Projected Starters:
Left Tackle: Walter Jones
Left Guard: Mike Wahle / Max Unger
Center: Chris Spencer / Max Unger
Right Guard: Rob Sims / Max Unger
Right Tackle: Sean Locklear

2008 Injuries:
T Walter Jones: Weeks 14 to 17
T Sean Locklear: Weeks 1 to 3, 16 and 17
G Rob Sims: Weeks 2 to 17
G Mike Wahle: Weeks 12 to 17
C Chris Spencer: Weeks 13 to 17

2008 Statistics:

ALY (Adjusted Line Yards): It is an alternate measure for yards per carry developed by Football Outsiders that takes into account various factors including down, distance, situation and opponent.
Source: www.footballoutsiders.com

Overview:
The Seahawks had a very difficult season in 2009 with only four wins after winning at least nine games in five consecutive seasons but that was no surprise considering all the injuries they suffered. Hasselbeck started only seven games, they had to play without their top three wide receivers for a number of games and all five starters on the line missed at least two games. Despite all those injuries on the line, the Seahawks still managed to average 4.2 yards per carry and allowed only 36 sacks.

At tackle, the Seahawks will count on their two veterans Walter Jones and Sean Locklear for the sixth consecutive season. Walter Jones has been named to the Pro Bowl team eight straight times and is still considered an above average tackle at 35 years old. Jones has a big frame at 6’5” and 325 lbs and is a very powerful blocker. Jones has lost some of his quickness but he is still very athletic for a lineman and has excellent technique. He ranked 13th amongst left tackles last season with 3.5 sacks allowed but in only 12 starts. Jones had to undergo knee surgery in the off-season and although he should fully healthy when the season begins, he does not have much time left as a starter in the NFL. Nonetheless, if Jones can stay healthy, he is a big asset for this line. Opposite of him on the line is Sean Locklear who was the third round pick by the Seahawks in 2004 and has developed rapidly into a good tackle. He is an excellent pass blocking tackle but has to build more strength in order to be an effective run blocker. Locklear has played his entire career at right tackle but he has all the skills to be a solid replacement for Jones and looked good in his two starts on the left side last season. Ray Willis, a fourth round pick in 2004, is the top backup at right tackle. He started ten games at guard and tackle last season and was quite impressive. He is a force as a run blocker but lacks mobility so will need tight end help more often than not when playing at right tackle. Kyle Williams, an undrafted free agent out of USC who started two games at left tackle last season, looked pretty good last season but probably won’t see much action this year.

At guard, the Seahawks seem to have finally found a capable replacement for Steve Hutchinson in Mike Wahle. Wahle was released by the Carolina Panthers in 2007 in order to save cap space and signed by the Seahawks to a five-year deal. Wahle is a very good run blocker but will occasionally struggle against big defensive tackles because of his relatively low weight of 305 lbs for a 6’6” lineman. Holmgren is a big fan of Wahle after drafting him with the Packers in 1998 even though he is not the same player he was a few years ago. At 32 years old, Wahle is approaching the end of his career and is currently recovering from shoulder surgery but if healthy, he is a capable starter in the NFL. Starting at right guard should be the 25-year old Rob Sims who started only one game in 2008 after tearing a pectoral muscle in the season opener. Sims is a pretty good pass blocker but missed a lot of blocks in 2007 and it was very obvious that he still has a lot to learn in Holmgrem’s scheme. The move to right guard, which he made last season, was supposed to help him but we’ll only find out this year if it truly pays off. Overall Sims is a below average starter who will have to be much more powerful in his run blocking if he wants to have success in the NFL. Mansfield Wrotto is a very strong player who adds depth at guard but he still has a lot of work to on his technique before he can be a starter in the NFL.

Former first round pick Chris Spencer should be returning as the starting center for the third consecutive season. Spencer has incredible strength for a center but his lack of experience has been exploited by much smarter NFL defensive linemen. He is a much better run blocker than a pass protector and has the speed and strength to get to the second level as a run blocker. Spencer should continue to improve as he learns the NFL game but will get some stiff competition for the starting job. Max Unger, second round pick in 2009, has been extremely impressive so far and many believe that he has to be a starter on this line in 2009. Unger has good size for a center at 6’5” and 310 lbs and also has very good technique.  He has a good combination of strength and quickness and could start at any of the three inside positions on the line.

2009 Outlook:
This offensive line was very impressive in 2008 considering all the injuries they suffered and things should only be better in 2009. All five players who were supposed to start last season will be back this year, the young backups gained experience last year and the addition of Max Unger could be a nice boost for this line. In the 11 games that they had at least three of their regular starters on the line, the Seahawks averaged 4.4 yards per carry and allowed 24 sacks. Overall the Seahawks should be slightly improved in both run blocking and pass protection and they have some good depth so should be in good shape even if they suffer a few injuries.

See all of our 2009 Offensive Line Analysis Articles