The Seattle Seahawks had two competitions on their offensive line: center and right guard. Olu Oluwatimi took over the starting job after Connor Williams’ sudden retirement
and did a solid job. Jalen Sundell, a UDFA with a lot of athletic potential, continued to fight for the starting center spot. During training camp, they alternated snaps with the first team, and Sundell also got snaps at right guard.It seemed that despite all the competition, Oluwatimi would still be the starter based on his performance
last year. However, a back injury forced him off the field, and the former Michigan player missed both preseason games. Sundell needed the chance to secure his starting spot and stay focused.
Stats
In the first game, against the Las Vegas Raiders, he didn’t have quite the same momentum. Sundell took a high snap that nearly resulted in a turnover and also committed a penalty. This resulted in a 43.5 run-block rating and an 82.9 pass-block rating.
Against the Kansas City Chiefs, the Seahawks used their healthy starters, and Sundell was, in my opinion, the standout performer on the offensive line. He received a 91.1 run-block rating and a 79.4 pass-block rating, and just like in his debut, he didn’t let up under pressure. His offensive grade was 92.4, the second-best among all linemen in Week 2 (Anthony Bradford was first with 92.9).
Reviewing the tape
Sundell played 19 snaps, lining up with the starters and after the first rotation. I’ve selected a few plays for analysis:
Jalen Sundell displays a good combination of athleticism and strength. The center climbs to the second level, gains good leverage, and manages to move the defender to open up space for the run.
He helps the lineman before advancing to the second level and making the perfect cut block, displaying excellent technique.
The run didn’t necessarily go through Sundell, but he quickly reaches the outside linebacker and controls him, preventing any attempt to help the play.
The reach block is considered one of the most difficult blocks to execute. It requires explosiveness and lateral mobility to get past the opponent and control him. On top of all this, note the C’s excellent leverage, pushing the opponent from below and winning the snap.
The lateral step isn’t as long this time, and he has the help of the right guard, Anthony Bradford. Notice how he repositions his hands while taking the favorable angle to seal the gap for the run.
If executing a reach block is difficult, doing so against a outside linebacker is even more difficult. The defender, in theory, should be much faster than an outside linebacker. Sundell manages the block and again seals the gap by facing away from the right tackler, simply nullifying any attack from the defender.
The defender uses Sundell’s momentum, moving to the left, to create space with an inside move. Sundell has the speed to recover and get the DL out of the QB’s way.
An excellent punch to help pass the defender to Grey Zabel, who advances with great speed to reach the LB. He ends up tripping up due to the loss of the DT.
He helps at the first level and advances to the second-level defender, taking the defender for a walk.
My two cents about the right guard battle
If you’ve read any of my articles, you know I’m an Anthony Bradford critic. I don’t take back anything I’ve written, but there isn’t any more competition for the RG role. Bradford’s rivals didn’t outperform him in the preseason games, even with a weaker performance in Week 1.
Seattle shouldn’t be asking who the RG is; the answer is simple. But they have to consider that since he’s the best option, there’s a problem with their roster construction. I hope he makes a leap in quality, but the Seahawks were sloppy in the role. They trusted a guy who was among the most likely to commit penalties, even though he only played for half a season.
Furthermore, his backup (Christian Haynes) is now playing as a backup LG, and the player who replaced him last year (Sataoa Laumea) has struggled even against third-stringers. It’s unlikely Haynes will be cut, but it wouldn’t be crazy to imagine both being cut.
