Heaps: Seahawks have had a quiet standout in rookie G Damien Lewis
Sep 23, 2020, 3:02 PM
Third-round pick Damien Lewis has started at right guard in the Seahawks' two games. (Getty)
(Getty)
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll sent some praise towards his offensive line after Sunday’s 35-30 win over the New England Patriots, something that may have been easier to buy than his comments standing up for his pass rush.
Buy or sell: Carroll’s praise for Seahawks’ pass rush and O-line
One reason why the O-line is deserving of credit is the play of rookie right guard Damien Lewis, says 710 ESPN Seattle’s Jake Heaps.
Lewis, a third-round pick who won the national championship with LSU as a senior, has quietly been a standout for the Seahawks in the first two games of his career.
“He has ranked out in Pro Football Focus as a top 10 guard in this league,” Heaps said Wednesday during the Four-Down Territory segment of Tom, Jake and Stacy. “He’s excelled in run blocking and he’s done really well in pass protection, as well.”
Ranking in the top 10 at any position in the league is nothing to scoff at, especially when it’s a spot where rookies rarely excel. And while holding penalties have been some trouble, with Carroll even saying Lewis needs to “get better with his hands,” that may be the only area where his rookie status is a factor.
“Although he’s had some issues with penalties, I think that’s more of a rookie trying to get his feet wet in playing in the NFL,” Heaps said.
There are three things about Lewis in particular that jump out to Heaps.
“I am so impressed by A) his physicality, B) his smarts, his understanding of how to work together in combination blocks to get to the second level, to get up to those linebackers, and lastly, his athleticism. For a big guy, that guy is athletic.
“I hope in terms of the future of this offensive line they have a found a staple piece in Damien Lewis because he has been playing really good football.”
You can hear Four-Down Territory at 1:15 p.m. on every episode of Tom, Jake and Stacy.
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