OTA thread 5 things to watch

[Donn Beach]

Lucas is impressed with it, he's certainly talking the talk

"We put a fullback in the backfield, we're changing it up, we're doing things differently. It's like an old-school mentality with a new-school principle sort of thing. Definitely just looking forward to getting after that,"

[Michael K.]

Lucas is impressed with it, he's certainly talking the talk

"We put a fullback in the backfield, we're changing it up, we're doing things differently. It's like an old-school mentality with a new-school principle sort of thing. Definitely just looking forward to getting after that,"

It isn't really that old school anymore. Some very good offenses are running these sets. Baltimore and San Francisco come to mind. And not just that, the run game is in vogue for sure. I realize that Allen won the MVP, but there was a big push from many for it to be Barkley. And if they vote for the award after the playoffs? It probably would have been.

[Donn Beach]

Lucas is impressed with it, he's certainly talking the talk

"We put a fullback in the backfield, we're changing it up, we're doing things differently. It's like an old-school mentality with a new-school principle sort of thing. Definitely just looking forward to getting after that,"

It isn't really that old school anymore. Some very good offenses are running these sets. Baltimore and San Francisco come to mind. And not just that, the run game is in vogue for sure. I realize that Allen won the MVP, but there was a big push from many for it to be Barkley. And if they vote for the award after the playoffs? It probably would have been.

Yeah, the Eagles are on the list aren't they? Well you know me, I'm intrigued, not so much because I think it will work but that they seem committed to it and it gives us something to talk about. I've become a MM believer. Really it was how he responded to the Giants collapse. You could sense how he was sleeping in his office, fighting to turn things around. That was the point he began to impress me. I'm cool now with him running the team to his vision

[Sibelius Hindemith]

Unfortunately the Seahawks are way behind teams like the Eagles and Ravens when it comes to O line play.

[Donn Beach]

Unfortunately the Seahawks are way behind teams like the Eagles and Ravens when it comes to O line play.

Are you saying Oline play is particularly important for teams that feature running the ball? I believe Kubiaks focus on running the ball could help improve the Seahawks Oline play

[Sibelius Hindemith]

Teams will stack the line defensively more often to stop a run heavier offense, so while executing a run blocking scheme may be easier than pass blocking, they are likely to face more resistance. That's unless they run enough play action stuff successfully and mix things up enough to keep the D guessing. It will be interesting to see if they can do that.

[Sibelius Hindemith]

Another difference with those two teams is that they have athletic QBs that can scramble effectively. That presents an additional element that the defense has to deal with so they can't just key on the RB. Darnold isn't a threat in that way.

[Donn Beach]

Yeah, I meant to point that out. I was looking at an article ranking Olines, think it was fantasy. Couple things stuck me. There's a correlation between QB mobility and Oline play. Also I don't see a strong correlation between Oline play and making the playoffs. You don't need elite, if the Seahawks were 15th that be a big improvement. A number of teams outside the top 10 made the playoffs last season including Texas at 26.

I've pointed out before, the commanders went from having perhaps the worst oline in the NFL to one of the top three in a couple if seasons. That was a combination of coaching, some different players and a mobile QB.

[Donn Beach]

Wow, Krupp taking a shot at Darnold... hey, I love french fries! They are part of a balanced diet far as I'm concerned

They went out to eat

“The way it came off was like he wanted to go get some fries and chicken strips,” Kupp continued with a smile. “And like, look, I have a 6 year old. I can bring you his food. I can bring that and I’ll go eat something good.

“But it ended up being fine. He ventured out and was at least willing to try some stuff. … I may have misread him. We’ll see. Time will tell.”

[Donn Beach]

MM on Darnold, that would tie into liking french fries and chicken strips wouldn't you say?

“The thing you love about Sam is he’s just a dude, man,” Macdonald told reporters on June 10, 2025. “He’s like one of the guys. He’s one of the guys, so he’s right there with them in all the things. That’s him, but there’s some s— to him. He’s like, don’t mess with him.

“He’s got that edge to him, that competitiveness, and the guys respect that. He’s him. He’s not trying to be anybody else, and you’ve got to respect that about him.”