Charles Cross - review and expectations.

[toffee]

We drafted Cross at #9 last season. Following are observation though my untrained eyes:

1. He finished the season, after 1156 snaps, he showed dependability.
2. He finished #54 amongst all tackles on PFF, for reference, Lucas was #39. Cross was 63.1, Lucas was 68.4
3. When it came to pass blocking, Cross got a 64.8, Lucas was 69; Run blocking wise, Cross 62.3, Lucas 65.2
4. Within class of '22, he is ok, better than some bigger names.
   
5. I felt like Cross could use more muscle as he often got pushed towards to QB, instead of him directing the rusher away from the QB.

what do you guys think? His physicality or skill or IQ, which area needed the most improvements? So far I am happy enough that we have a above replacement grade left tackle with opposability of upside. I am hoping that he could follow the career path of another somewhat lightweight LT: Duane Brown.

 

[Jerhawk]

Great post!

I agree, he's a technically sound player but he needs to bulk up a bit, both upper and lower core strength, in order to be more dominant against these versatile and overwhelming edge rushers in the game today.

Glad he's a Seahawk and looking forward to see how much he improves this season.

 

[Hollandhawk]

My question would be.. is he okay with you calling him Charlie?

 

[bileever]

Both Cross and Lucas have to improve for the Seahawks to get up to the next level this year. The Seahawks offensive line last year was below average, and the two rookie tackles didn't grade that well.

There is reason for hope, however. Let's hope that they will benefit from having one year under their belts. (Duane Brown wasn't particularly good his rookie year, but improved tremendously after that year.) Especially with Abe Lucas having played in an Air Raid system in college, he had an adjustment to make. Hopefully, the upgrade at the center position, whether it's Evan Brown or Olu Oluwatimi, should help the line as a whole. Finally, I hope that they spent the off-season getting stronger and better.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

Well, obviously. They were rookies. And did pretty damn well considering. Of course they need to, and will get better. That's how it works.

 

[chris98251]

Knowing the system, having a better consistent running game makes their job easier, then off season weight training under Pro conditioning and diet programs. I would expect a big step forward, not saying all pro but dependable starting material year 2.

 

[SoulfishHawk]

No doubt. I can't imagine not being happy with what those two did as rookies. Thrown in to the fire from the get, and played pretty damn well considering.

 

[toffee]

I am hoping for major step forward for Cross, I think he will get some help with better Center play, and better G play also.

 

[Mad Dog]

Almost all tackles get better from year 1 to 3. I’m not worried. He’s got the hands and feet for the position. The rest is just learning and growing.

And PFF?

 

[keasley45]

I think he'll get better from having interior line play alone.

Also, leaning on a dominant, consistent run game will help as well. Walker was good last year, but not so much play in and play out. Being able to pound the rock reliably will help his growth considerably.

 

[scutterhawk]

Getting those two acclimated to Pro intensity right out of the gate last season and keeping them there is going to pay huge dividends the upcoming years, and too, the meshing with the other Linemen next to them should also improve with the continuity, and here's another + that isn't being discussed on this really important matter, and that's how Geno Smith is also gaining/growing from the continuity with his O-Linemen.
Okay now, this might seem a little off the wall here, but when the Seahawks hired Branden (pass rush specialist) to get the most out of their Defensive attack, would this not also benefit the O-Line players as to how they will maybe need to upgrade their Offensive attack?

 

[Aircrew]

What I remember noticing about Cross all season was that even though he wasn't getting the push we'd like to see in run blocking, I thought he was technically sound and consistently tough and stout in pass defense. As already noted, he needs to build on his upper/lower body strength and take his game up a notch to really develop into the LT Pete Carroll and this offense needs him to be. For a rookie season though, I thought it was a good start to his career even though his ranking isn't very high.

 

[morgulon1]

I am hoping for major step forward for Cross, I think he will get some help with better Center play, and better G play also.

Cross just needs Sandra Bullock to show him .

 

[bileever]

I read an old article (2014) from PFF about offensive tackle development, and it said that on average, first and second round tackles tend to improve in their second years. The improvement continues into their third year. Not surprisingly, tackles drafted lower tend to not improve as much. But the article also says that even though tackle is seen as a plug-and-play position, it is far from that, and some players can regress in their second year. Still, I think we got lucky as the article points out that the tackle position has a "tendency to bust in spectacular fashion." (Luke Joeckel, anyone?) Cross and Lucas aren't busts, but the question is, how good can they be?

Here's the link (may be behind a paywall): https://www.pff.com/news/position-progression-offensive-tackle

 

[toffee]

What I remember noticing about Cross all season was that even though he wasn't getting the push we'd like to see in run blocking, I thought he was technically sound and consistently tough and stout in pass defense. As already noted, he needs to build on his upper/lower body strength and take his game up a notch to really develop into the LT Pete Carroll and this offense needs him to be. For a rookie season though, I thought it was a good start to his career even though his ranking isn't very high.

At times, I noticed that Cross was seemingly doing the right thing, ie hands on DE's chest, and his feet set, but he still got pushed backwards a few 'extra' feet that made all the differences. Anyone played linemen? was that a skill technique issue or strength issue? I have no idea.

I read that coming out of college, Cross and Duane Brown had something in common, both were athletics but lacking in bulk. It took Brown a few years to reach his peak, let's hope that it will take Cross less.

 

[sutz]

Hell, even Walter Jones took a year or so to become himself. Granted he had some injury concerns early, but he wasn't really what we knew him to be later until year 2/3.

I expect good things from Cross this year. Not Walter good of course, but solid improvement. Plus, as was said above, improved interior line play (which I hope we get out of the new additions) will help the whole unit. Teamwork and continuity is such a huge part of effective line play. Let's hope it all comes together.

 

[toffee]

Hell, even Walter Jones took a year or so to become himself. Granted he had some injury concerns early, but he wasn't really what we knew him to be later until year 2/3.

I expect good things from Cross this year. Not Walter good of course, but solid improvement. Plus, as was said above, improved interior line play (which I hope we get out of the new additions) will help the whole unit. Teamwork and continuity is such a huge part of effective line play. Let's hope it all comes together.

Couldn't agree more

 

[toffee]

My fingers are firmly crossed on our LT, am I the only one?

 

[SNDavidson]

My question would be.. is he okay with you calling him Charlie?

 

[toffee]

How gud Cross do today?