Field Gulls
The Seattle Seahawks rookies combined for 155 snaps in Week 5. Nick Emmanwori’s return to the starting lineup increased the total and was the first real contribution from a Seahawks rookie defender this year. DL Jared Ivey had some snaps, while Emmanwori himself also had limited contributions in Week 1 against the San Francisco 49ers before his injury.
All data used in this article was taken from PFF.
Let’s analyze some of the key plays from this game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers!
It was a game of ups and downs for the rookie. Playing on the offensive line takes time to find solidity. However, I think the rookie has been making some mistakes that need to show improvement, especially his hand positioning.
According to PFF, he didn’t yield any pressures (???), but still had the third-worst pass-block grade at 45.9 and the worst run-block grade at 43.9. The rookie also committed his first penalty, a holding after poor hand positioning and footwork.
On this play, he attempts to make contact but misses and hits the air, causing a stumble. He tries to recover but nearly commits another holding.
Again, his hands. They’re wide open, giving the DL free access to his chest, pushing him several yards back toward his QB.
On the other hand, he showed good improvement in processing stunts quickly. The Bucs call a simulated pressure by dropping their two DTs into coverage. Zabel notices the drop (he seems to communicate this to Jalen Sundell) and quickly goes to help Charles Cross and takes the defender to the ground.
The DL gave early warning signs of the stunt. Zabel realizes this, uses the punch to pass the defender to Cross, and waits for the looper. Excellent lateral mobility to slow the edge and good contact/grip to deny any rush.
This was his real debut after getting injured early in the game against the 49ers in Week 1. According to PFF, he was one of the team’s standouts:
This was quite obvious on the field. Emmanwori even showed signs that he could help out in the WLB role when Spoon returns, as Drake Thomas and Tyrice Knight haven’t been playing well.
The Seahawks are in Tampa 2 and a series of mistakes occur. Riq Woolen is responsible for the flat, but since there wasn’t the slightest threat in his zone, he could have stuck with the receiver.
The zone attacked was Emmanwori’s, who was the Hook defender in this play. However, the rookie thinks the pass will be short and leaves his zone to cover the checkdown pass with the RB. Tyrice Knight was covering no one and could have gone for the checkdown on this play.
Emmanwori played seven snaps as a pass rusher, managing only...
