Breaking News. We traded for Nelson

[Sibelius Hindemith]

So apparently all the talk about how much they loved Bradford was just that.

[Michael K.]

So apparently all the talk about how much they loved Bradford was just that.

Quinton Nelson has been a Pro Bowler his entire career. I believe an All Pro in all but two seasons and a first team All Pro in at least half of those. Yep, starting Nelson over Bradford means they just hate Bradford. They now have two first round picks at Guard. Did you expect them to bench Zabel? I bet there is a chance that Zabel moves to Center in the off season, if they can sign both Bradford and Nelson. But only a small chance. But starting two first rounders at Guard is far from a shock, and certainly doesn't mean they lied when they said they liked Bradford.

[XpertDBA]

I had a really dumb question about Bradford and his really good grades run blocking, but his really bad grades pass blocking.

Why would these 2 skills be so completely different? I've always wondered on a pass, why do linemen immediately stand up, go backwards and give ground a little bit to create 'the pocket'? If you're a blocker, wouldn't it be way better to stand your ground and block at the line (obviously not going forward to create a penalty of illegal man downfield), instead of standing up and going backwards? Doesn't that give the defensive player all of the leverage and a huge advantage?

Sorry if that's a dumb question, but I've never understood why 'blocking' is so different between the two disciplines.

Does this help

Aggression in pass protection creates high-risk vulnerabilities that defenses are trained to exploit:

• Loss of Position (The "React and Mirror" Rule): In run blocking, the offensive lineman dictates the direction by driving forward into the defender. In pass protection, the defender chooses the move (speed rush, inside spin, bull rush). If an offensive lineman lunges or plays overly aggressive, the defender can easily side-step or swat the hands, leaving a clear path to a sack.

• The Danger of Over-Extending: Aggressive charges cause an offensive lineman to lean their weight forward and lift their center of gravity. Pass rushers use this momentum against them by pulling or pushing them to the ground (known as a "pass-rushing move" or "swim/rip/pull").

• Rules on Holding and Engagement: Offensive linemen are prohibited from grabbing or tackling defensive players from behind or outside the frame once a rusher gets past them. An aggressive lunge that misses means the lineman is beaten, and holding penalties will get called if they try to recover with brute force.

• The "Depth" Requirement: Pass protection requires a backward drop-step (kick-slide) to match the depth of the quarterback's drop. Charging forward prematurely opens up massive gaps and rushing lanes for defensive tackles and blitzing linebackers.

Ok thanks....I knew it was a dumb question.

[Sibelius Hindemith]

Zabel has been sub-mediocre and no i wouldn't have been surprised had they benched him and kept Bradford at RG. Who cares that he was drafted in the 1st round? He hasn't been playing well.

[Donn Beach]

I had a really dumb question about Bradford and his really good grades run blocking, but his really bad grades pass blocking.

Why would these 2 skills be so completely different? I've always wondered on a pass, why do linemen immediately stand up, go backwards and give ground a little bit to create 'the pocket'? If you're a blocker, wouldn't it be way better to stand your ground and block at the line (obviously not going forward to create a penalty of illegal man downfield), instead of standing up and going backwards? Doesn't that give the defensive player all of the leverage and a huge advantage?

Sorry if that's a dumb question, but I've never understood why 'blocking' is so different between the two disciplines.

Does this help

Aggression in pass protection creates high-risk vulnerabilities that defenses are trained to exploit:

• Loss of Position (The "React and Mirror" Rule): In run blocking, the offensive lineman dictates the direction by driving forward into the defender. In pass protection, the defender chooses the move (speed rush, inside spin, bull rush). If an offensive lineman lunges or plays overly aggressive, the defender can easily side-step or swat the hands, leaving a clear path to a sack.

• The Danger of Over-Extending: Aggressive charges cause an offensive lineman to lean their weight forward and lift their center of gravity. Pass rushers use this momentum against them by pulling or pushing them to the ground (known as a "pass-rushing move" or "swim/rip/pull").

• Rules on Holding and Engagement: Offensive linemen are prohibited from grabbing or tackling defensive players from behind or outside the frame once a rusher gets past them. An aggressive lunge that misses means the lineman is beaten, and holding penalties will get called if they try to recover with brute force.

• The "Depth" Requirement: Pass protection requires a backward drop-step (kick-slide) to match the depth of the quarterback's drop. Charging forward prematurely opens up massive gaps and rushing lanes for defensive tackles and blitzing linebackers.

Ok thanks....I knew it was a dumb question.

It wasn't dumb, I was curious myself after you brought it up.

[Donn Beach]

So apparently all the talk about how much they loved Bradford was just that.

Quinton Nelson has been a Pro Bowler his entire career. I believe an All Pro in all but two seasons and a first team All Pro in at least half of those. Yep, starting Nelson over Bradford means they just hate Bradford. They now have two first round picks at Guard. Did you expect them to bench Zabel? I bet there is a chance that Zabel moves to Center in the off season, if they can sign both Bradford and Nelson. But only a small chance. But starting two first rounders at Guard is far from a shock, and certainly doesn't mean they lied when they said they liked Bradford.

Yeah, its not about not liking a guy. It was an opportunity to add probably the best talent in the NFL at his position. And at a modest cost. You don't turn down an opportunity like that

[Sibelius Hindemith]

Nelson doesn't play RG. It was about replacing AB with a poorly performing LG (i.e. Zabel).

[Michael K.]

Nelson doesn't play RG. It was about replacing AB with a poorly performing LG (i.e. Zabel).

Jesus Dude. Did you even smile when we won the Super Bowl? I think you could find a beauty flaw on Margot Robbie!

You aren't going to have five Pro Bowlers up front, but when Cross comes back? This is a five man unit with three First Round picks in it.

[Sibelius Hindemith]

That's great if Zabel will start playing like a first round pick.

[Michael K.]

I'm not a big PFF guy. I think asking a bunch of guys that don't know football to watch every snap of an interior O Lineman and grade it is a ridiculously stupid proposition. When I watch I am not often times left wondering why Zabel isn't better.

I don know this, he has given up 1 sack this year. The Seahawks as a team have given up 16. He has played 395 snaps and has three penalties.

Lucas has 4 penalties and 3 accepted. 2 False Starts, 1 hold and 1 illegal formation
Sundell has 3 penalties, all 3 accepted. 2 False Starts and 1 hold.
Zabel has 3 penalties, all accepted. 2 False Starts and 1 hold.
Bradford has 3 penalties, all accepted. 2 False Starts and 1 hold. Played in way fewer snaps as well.
Cross has one penalty and it was off setting. Was a hold.

https://nflpenalties.com/team/seattle-s ... ew=players

Maybe you are an O Line guru, and watch our games and notice him messing up all the time. But when it comes to O Lineman? I don't put much credit in PFF. I get it, what else are we going to use? Well, I go with how guys that know what they are talking about rank him.

NFL analyst and former player Mark Schlereth is a big supporter of Seattle Seahawks offensive lineman Grey Zabel, praising his toughness, versatility, and ability to transition seamlessly from a small school to the NFL.
Key highlights of Schlereth's opinion on Zabel include:
• Dismissing Small-School Concerns: Schlereth—who also played at a small school (Idaho Vandals) before an NFL career—dismissed the criticism about Zabel playing at North Dakota State, stating, "The kid, he just can play".
• Versatility and Toughness: Schlereth praised Zabel's performance at the Senior Bowl, where he moved smoothly between guard and center, locked up opponents at the line of scrimmage, and showed "no backing down" or intimidation.
• Immediate Impact: Schlereth expressed confidence that Zabel possessed the skillset to step in and play well right away for a Seahawks offensive line that previously struggled.
• Offensive Rookie of the Year Support: Schlereth later gave Zabel a shoutout as a pick for Offensive Rookie of the Year.

NFL analysts widely view Seattle Seahawks offensive guard Grey Zabel as a highly talented, physical interior lineman with a high ceiling, though he has experienced some standard development adjustments in his second professional season. After being selected 18th overall in the 2025 NFL Draft out of North Dakota State, Zabel immediately established himself as a reliable day-one starter, capturing a Super Bowl LX title and earning a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team.

Analyst Consensus & Evaluation

• Elite Rookie Impact: During his 2025 rookie campaign, draft and film analysts lauded his elite motor, lateral agility, and aggressive blocking finish. Pro Football Focus (PFF) tracked him as one of the league's top-performing guards down the stretch of his rookie year, grading him eighth overall at the position from Week 14 onward.
• Physicality and Effort: Tape analysts frequently highlight his relentless execution and physical disposition. He earned reputation points for his ability to handle premier interior defensive tackles one-on-one and routinely drive defenders into the turf well after initial contact.
• Second-Season Inconsistencies: Moving into the 2026 season, analysts have noted some uncharacteristic sophomore regression and protection struggles. Through the early part of the 2026 schedule, his PFF grade sat at a more modest 59.8 overall, allowing 14 pressures across his first stretch of games.
• Scheme Adaptability and Versatility: Prominent analysts like Nate Tice continue to praise Zabel as a "high-end player". His background playing multiple positions across the line in college provides the Seahawks with crucial schematic flexibility. Recent evaluations highlight a major bounce-back performance in a 20-3 win against the Chiefs, where his execution was labeled as "elite"

Sorry, if you didn't complain about everything this team did? I might put a little more stock in you being down on Zabel. This team is three stupid ass INTs and one dumb ass fumble from being 7 and 0. I'm not putting much thought into how shitty Zabel must be based on that.