Field Gulls
The Seattle Seahawks rookies combined for 198 snaps in Week 7 versus the Houston Texans. That was the most so far this season. Gray Zabel and Nick Emmanwori had a significant impact, and Elijah Arroyo also played well, despite the “bad image” left by the fumble basically at the end of the game. Tory Horton hasn’t been producing in recent weeks but can still contribute, and we could see Robbie Ouzts return in the coming weeks.
All data used in this article was taken from PFF.
Let’s analyze some of the key plays from this game!
I think that after a lot of fluctuations, this was a much more consistent game for Zabel. He made a few mistakes (expected for a rookie) but managed to make an impact offensively. Much of our productive runs came on plays where he made key blocks, even though PFF gave him a run-block grade of 59.4. In pass protection, he only conceded two pressures.
Grey Zabel learned throughout the game, especially on snaps against Denico Autry. He formed an excellent double-team duo with center Jalen Sundell. His eyes were always alert, looking for threats and where he could help, especially with stunts. On this play, he realizes that the center needs more help than Charles Cross and finishes the play by putting the opponent on the ground.
As I mentioned in the introduction, many runs developed into good blocks by the left tackle. Zabel is very quick and moves quickly to the second level. On this play, he allows the linebacker to access his chest first, and he ends up failing to sustain the block.
The Seahawks successfully called an Iso Draw. The Draw is basically the opposite of a play-action; the play starts as a pass and turns into a run. The idea is to manipulate the defense’s movement. Notice how the linebackers drop, waiting for the pass. Now let’s explain the Iso.
Iso is a downhill running play where a fullback or the lead blocker isolates and blocks a linebacker one-on-one, creating a path for the running back. This is a basic power play, often run from an I-formation, designed to overpower the defense by getting the ball carrier downhill quickly.
The linebackers start by dropping back, with the exception of Zabel and Sundell. They double-team the DL, and the center advances to the second level, leaving the fullback “isolated” against the other linebacker and creating the gap. Meanwhile, Zabel manages to contain Tommy Togiai, who caused headaches for the Seahawks’ OL, especially in the run game.
An excellent call. Elijah Arroyo’s movement creates new gaps. AJ Barner has a physical block at the edge that essentially leaves the FB unassigned. Then the TE goes to the DB and creates the gap. This gap is created by the excellent blocking of Zabel, who executes a reach block (*a football technique where an offensive lineman blocks a defensive player horizontally to the outside, sealing them away...
