Hasselbeck: ‘Sneaky’ reason Seahawks have tough task rushing Rams QB
Oct 7, 2021, 1:02 PM
Carlos Dunlap and Ryan Neal of the Seattle Seahawks high five during the first quarter against the Los Angeles Rams in an NFC Wild Card game at Lumen Field on Jan. 09. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
If there’s one area where the 3-1 Los Angeles Rams have the advantage over the 2-2 Seattle Seahawks in their big Thursday night matchup, its the Rams’ pass protection against Seattle’s pass rush.
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Over the first four games this season, Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford has been sacked just three times, the least amount in the NFL. The Seahawks, meanwhile, are quite literally in the middle of the pack in sacks registered on defense, tied with six other teams for 13th in the league with nine sacks this year.
Creating pressure on the quarterback is always a key to victory, so what does Seattle need to know about how the Rams are able to protect Stafford so well?
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On Wednesday’s edition of The Matt Hasselbeck Show on 710 ESPN Seattle, the legendary former Seahawks quarterback shared some pretty good insight with Mike Salk.
“They don’t give up a lot of sacks, and how they do it is really, really creative,” Hasselbeck said. “They change the launch point of the quarterback so much.”
That’s a new one. Hasselbeck went on to explain this “sneaky” nuance of the Rams’ offense.
“Most quarterbacks are 7 1/2 yards right behind the center just about on every play,” he said, “… but maybe instead of setting up behind the center, Matthew Stafford’s set up in between the guard and the tackle. And you don’t even hardly notice it. The ball will be on the left hash and he’s throwing it almost from the right hash and you almost don’t even notice it.”
Hasselbeck had much more to share during the show, which airs weekly from 9-10 a.m. every Wednesday during the football season on 710 ESPN Seattle, including why he prefers the way Russell Wilson played in last Sunday’s win over the 49ers compared to a more pass-heavy game. Listen to the full episode in the podcast at this link or in the player below.
More Seahawks coverage from 710Sports.com
• Rost: Two big questions Seahawks face vs Rams on Thursday night
• Heaps: How Seahawks’ offense gets DK Metcalf the mismatch they want
• Bumpus: What the Seahawks’ offense can take from Wilson, Collins’ big days
• Heaps: Sidney Jones changed complexion of Hawks’ secondary
• Clayton: Why it looks like the Seahawks found themselves vs. 49ers
