Center, Sundell and Olu

[olyfan63]

Jalen Sundell left the Pittsburgh game with an injury in the 4th quarter. Olu Oluwatimi replaced him, and the Seahawks scored on that drive with Olu at center, so Olu held down the fort fairly well. I was concerned when Sundell went off that suddenly our best O-Line in years was starting the injury bug already. Apparently, per McDonald, Sundell just had leg cramps and will be back and able to start, so that's a relief. Sundell won the job over Olu, who started a lot of games at center last year.

Questions for OL afficionados...

1) How big of an upgrade is Sundell over Olu? What does he do better than Olu?

2) Sundell and Zabel were teammates at North Dakota State. Now they play next to each other in the Seahawks OL, Sundell at C, and Zabel at LG. Is their familiarity with each other in college a help with OL chemistry, or is it a nothingburger, since they play different positions in the pros? I read that Sundell was a Left Tackle at ND state.

3) If other Seahawks OL get injured, e.g., R Guard, do they move Sundell there and put Olu at center? What are the position switcheroos that Seahawks would do in the event of injury to LG, RG, LT, RT?

 

[oldhawkfan]

Good questions. The only one I will address is #2. One of the things I’ve heard over the years is that it takes time for o lines to gel because they perform better with familiarity. I heard once that the best lines function best when they all function like five fingers on one hand. The fact that Zabel and Sundell know each other so well, from playing together and rooming together that they have a level of communication that goes beyond rookie and second year FA.

 

[Sprfunk]

Sundell is a perfect fit for the zone blocking. He is fast, athletic, and plays the system as it should be. Olu is less athletic, but more powerful. I like Olu a lot, but he seems to not be what the coaches want.
Olu had one of the worst grades on PFF for pass protection (granted just 3 plays) against the Steelers 0.00. This puts him on par with a sack of potatoes. The grain of salt... small sample size, and PFF grades are always questionable.

Familiarity on the Oline can help a lot, so im sure that works in Sundells favor.

 

[FrodosFinger]

Oh I thought he was just cramping up. A lot of players were late in the game and Pittsburgh is one of the most humid places I’ve lived in the summer time and early fall

 

[sutz]

Oh I thought he was just cramping up. A lot of players were late in the game and Pittsburgh is one of the most humid places I’ve lived in the summer time and early fall

That's what I heard. We should hear more with practice reports this week.

 

[Jville]

Jalen Sundell left the Pittsburgh game with an injury in the 4th quarter. Olu Oluwatimi replaced him, and the Seahawks scored on that drive with Olu at center, so Olu held down the fort fairly well. I was concerned when Sundell went off that suddenly our best O-Line in years was starting the injury bug already. Apparently, per McDonald, Sundell just had leg cramps and will be back and able to start, so that's a relief. Sundell won the job over Olu, who started a lot of games at center last year.

Questions for OL afficionados...

1) How big of an upgrade is Sundell over Olu? What does he do better than Olu?

2) Sundell and Zabel were teammates at North Dakota State. Now they play next to each other in the Seahawks OL, Sundell at C, and Zabel at LG. Is their familiarity with each other in college a help with OL chemistry, or is it a nothingburger, since they play different positions in the pros? I read that Sundell was a Left Tackle at ND state.

3) If other Seahawks OL get injured, e.g., R Guard, do they move Sundell there and put Olu at center? What are the position switcheroos that Seahawks would do in the event of injury to LG, RG, LT, RT?

Conner Williams played 618 snaps in 2024 compared to 438 snaps by Olu Oluwatime. I think there is more similarity between Conner Williams and Jalen Sundell than Olu. The strength and weaknesses of Jalen and Olu as just different. The choice between the two is more of a matter of preference.

Mcdonald stated that Sundell would move to guard and Olu would fill in at center should an injury necessitate it.

I like the tandem of Cross and Zabel on the left side. A lot of movement and situation awareness by the two of them. The two of them could develop into the dynamic tandem many have been anticipating. Cross has arrived as a run blocker over the course of last year and continues to be a growing force. Zabel's 3 point stance and first couple of steps is text book. Really sets the example.

I'm assuming veteran Josh Jones remains the most likely back up tackle. Although, I have not heard the question raise since the start of the season.

 

[FrodosFinger]

Conner Williams played 618 snaps in 2024 compared to 438 snaps by Olu Oluwatime. I think there is more similarity between Conner Williams and Jalen Sundell than Olu. The strength and weaknesses of Jalen and Olu as just different. The choice between the two is more of a matter of preference.

Mcdonald stated that Sundell would move to guard and Olu would fill in at center should an injury necessitate it.

I like the tandem of Cross and Zabel on the left side. A lot of movement and situation awareness by the two of them. The two of them could develop into the dynamic tandem many have been anticipating. Cross has arrived as a run blocker over the course of last year and continues to be a growing force. Zabel's 3 point stance and first couple of steps is text book. Really sets the example.

I'm assuming veteran Josh Jones remains the most likely back up tackle. Although, I have not heard the question raise since the start of the season.

Connor Williams was awful before he melted down and retired. Sundell is leaps and bounds better and massively better than Oluwatimi

 

[glenwo2]

He was indeed cramping up.

I see him starting against the Saints.

 

[Jville]

Connor Williams was awful before he melted down and retired. Sundell is leaps and bounds better and massively better than Oluwatimi

A difference of opinion.

I liked what I saw in Conner's more mobile and ranging game ..... especially coming off a severe injury and with an unstable week to week starting line. He may have pushed to hard on the rehab and given up on an injury plagued line with some team mates in disappointing condition. I can certainly understand him walking away.

 

[Appyhawk]

It was my understanding Sundell won the center spot due to Olu's back injury. IF his injury is healed I would prefer to see Olu at center and play Sundell at RG as I think he might be an upgrade at that spot. Bradford could be utilized as a backup at guard or maybe even center.
I do not agree with whoever said there is a big improvement with Sundell at center and I do no care what PFF has to say about it. I only care what our coaching staff determines is the best lineup.

 

[sutz]

Sundell not on Wed injury report, good news.

 

[Shane Falco]

I don't know about those questions posed by the OP... But I did see a big drop-off when Sundell when out. Olu got blown up right away. Maybe he settled in after those first few plays, idk, I wasn't paying that much attention to him after that.

 

[irfuben32]

A difference of opinion.

I liked what I saw in Conner's more mobile and ranging game ..... especially coming off a severe injury and with an unstable week to week starting line. He may have pushed to hard on the rehab and given up on an injury plagued line with some team mates in disappointing condition. I can certainly understand him walking away.

Didn't Connor launch a shotgun snap over Genos head at least once a game?

 

[Jville]

Didn't Connor launch a shotgun snap over Genos head at least once a game?

Once in each of his last two games as I recall. Of course the team has replaced a shotgun quarter back with a five step quarterback. And the offense is now able to feature more 12 and 13 and 22 personnel.

Moving to an under center QB has made the effectiveness of linemen and reliability of the blocking game a whole lot better. The benefits of which should become even more apparent as this year's better conditioned offense accumulates more working experience as a group.

If this year's offense with its better conditioned team members had of been installed a year earlier, .......................

 

[LeveeBreak]

Jalen Sundell left the Pittsburgh game with an injury in the 4th quarter. Olu Oluwatimi replaced him, and the Seahawks scored on that drive with Olu at center, so Olu held down the fort fairly well. I was concerned when Sundell went off that suddenly our best O-Line in years was starting the injury bug already. Apparently, per McDonald, Sundell just had leg cramps and will be back and able to start, so that's a relief. Sundell won the job over Olu, who started a lot of games at center last year.

Questions for OL afficionados...

1) How big of an upgrade is Sundell over Olu? What does he do better than Olu?

2) Sundell and Zabel were teammates at North Dakota State. Now they play next to each other in the Seahawks OL, Sundell at C, and Zabel at LG. Is their familiarity with each other in college a help with OL chemistry, or is it a nothingburger, since they play different positions in the pros? I read that Sundell was a Left Tackle at ND state.

3) If other Seahawks OL get injured, e.g., R Guard, do they move Sundell there and put Olu at center? What are the position switcheroos that Seahawks would do in the event of injury to LG, RG, LT, RT?

1. A big upgrade for the type of scheme we run. Sundell’s athleticism and system experience give him a huge advantage.

2. I’m sure it helps, so not a nothing burger. But both are still learning the nuances to this specific version of the scheme.

3. I think an injury to G would see Sundell move to that spot and Olu in at C. Injury at T would see Jones in to cover. If another G backup develops to their liking, Sundell would stay put.

 

[FrodosFinger]

It was my understanding Sundell won the center spot due to Olu's back injury. IF his injury is healed I would prefer to see Olu at center and play Sundell at RG as I think he might be an upgrade at that spot. Bradford could be utilized as a backup at guard or maybe even center.
I do not agree with whoever said there is a big improvement with Sundell at center and I do no care what PFF has to say about it. I only care what our coaching staff determines is the best lineup.

I agree with how Sundell took over in camp as the permanent starter when Olu’s back issues flared up but in hindsight it’s been a blessing in disguise. Sundell blows Olu away in zone blocking, pulling and pass blocking coverage on the inside guards have been great in my opinion I’ve seen Bradford hold his own. Cross and Zabel have been all pro but our O line is solid. I know Lucas got blown up on the Darnold fumble by Bosa but Sam needs to have the ball at a higher elevation when throwing he brings it down to his his hip sometimes. Aside from that play Abe has been stellar

 

[SoulfishHawk]

If Coach Mike thinks Sundell is the better choice, that's more than enough for me.

 

[Appyhawk]

If Coach Mike thinks Sundell is the better choice, that's more than enough for me.

Me too. I just thought it worth pointing out that Olu was Mike's choice until he got sidelined for injury. I just root for whoever is wearing our uni and is on the field.

 

[glenwo2]

Sundell not on Wed injury report, good news.

Called it.

 

[RehireMora]

When. Olu stepped in, there was no drop off at all.