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What’s Wrong with the Seahawks’ Offense? Three Possibilities

By Ben Renner

Oct 30, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back C.J. Prosise (22) is tackled by New Orleans Saints strong safety Kenny Vaccaro (32) and inside linebacker Nate Stupar (54) in the second half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints won, 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 30, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back C.J. Prosise (22) is tackled by New Orleans Saints strong safety Kenny Vaccaro (32) and inside linebacker Nate Stupar (54) in the second half at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Saints won, 25-20. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 23, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle Germain Ifedi (76) against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The game ended in a 6-6 tie after overtime. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Tom Cable/ Offensive Line

The Pope is Catholic, bears defecate in the woods, and the 2016 Seahawks’ offensive line is terrible. Injuries to touted rookie offensive guard Germain Ifedi and to tackle Bradley Sowell forced the Seahawks to rely on backups like rookie George Fant, who was blown by on several occasions in the Arizona game and in New Orleans. Several players on this unit have appeared on Pro Football Focus’ worst performances of the week over the course of the season, especially after the 6-6 tie in Arizona. There were moments of that game when it appeared the Seahawks simply couldn’t get in the way of the Cardinals’ pass rushers.

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There are problems on the personnel level, certainly. Players like Gary Gilliam, Sowell, and Ifedi haven’t been consistent in Tom Cable’s zone blocking scheme for run plays and they’ve been terrible at times protecting Russell Wilson.

There could be another level to this problem, however. Tom Cable has made his name in the NFL by being an excellent offensive line teacher and coach, but maybe even he can’t get this unit to play well. Some fans have questioned General Manager John Schneider‘s strategy giving large contracts to key players like Earl Thomas, Bobby Wagner, and Doug Baldwin while letting the o-line rot. This is a departure from the Seahawks’ strategy in the past, when Mike Holmgren drafted two Hall-of-Famers in Steve Hutchinson and Walter Jones to hold down the left side. Pete Carroll and company have taken a different approach, gambling on the teaching skills of Cable to make up for a lack of depth on the line. Perhaps we’ve reached a day of reckoning for that gamble.

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