Seahawks Insider: Too easy to push Germain Ifedi’s buttons

Germain Ifedi’s temper was evident before he played his first regular-season snap for the Seahawks.

He was the guy regularly getting into fights during the training camp before his rookie season after being chosen in the first round of the 2016 draft.

Germain Ifedi’s penalties have become a red flag for the Seahawks

That temper has become a particularly sore spot this season, contributing to his league-leading total of 17 penalties with two flags for unnecessary roughness and one for unsportsmanlike conduct.

It’s up to Ifedi to curb those displays of anger, said offensive line coach Tom Cable.

“If you have a reputation for being a guy who’s got an easy button to push, this is the NFL,” offensive line coach Tom Cable said. “These are grown men. They’ll see it and they’ll push those buttons.

“For him, it’s about growing through that and just kind of dusting it off and going to the next play.”

It’s not just the 15-yard penalties, though. It’s how easily Ifedi gets emotional during and after a play. Ifedi was involved in several after-play scuffles in last Sunday’s loss in Jacksonville that did not result in penalties. And twice Jaguars defensive end Dante Fowler was flagged for an illegal hand to Ifedi’s helmet.

Cable was asked about Ifedi’s composure.

“It’s about staying in your lane,” Cable said. “Doing your job.”

Ifedi was flagged four times in Jacksonville though two of the penalties were declined. Ifedi has been flagged 17 times total this season, with 13 of those penalties being enforced. Both totals lead the league. The onus is on Ifedi to eliminate those penalties.

“I think it’s about maturity, I really do,” Cable said. “We talked about it. We addressed it again today. Really, this is about protecting your team, and that’s in all phases. You have to have a conscience about doing the right thing and that’s really where it ends.”

Follow @dannyoneil