Bumpus: Cross, Lucas, Seahawks’ OL impressed in preseason opener
Aug 16, 2022, 10:44 AM | Updated: 10:50 am
Tuzar Skipper is blocked by Charles Cross as he rushes the pocket during a preseason game on August 13, 2022. (Justin Berl/Getty Images)
(Justin Berl/Getty Images)
The Seahawks had a number of intriguing storylines to follow in their Saturday preseason opener in Pittsburgh, such as the quarterback competition between Geno Smith and Drew Lock as well as their new defensive scheme.
Wyman’s Seahawks Takeaways: Lock’s mistake, Boye Mafe’s big debut
But another key storyline was how the Seahawks’ offensive line would perform after a big offseason. Seattle fired offensive line coach Mike Solari and promoted 2021 run game coordinator Andy Dickerson to that role, then drafted rookie tackles Charles Cross (first round) and Abraham Lucas (third round) while letting veteran tackles Duane Brown and Brandon Shell hit the open market.
The first impression of Seattle’s new-look line was a good one according to former NFL receiver Michael Bumpus, who shared his takeaways during Monday’s Bump and Stacy on Seattle Sports 710 AM.
“This offensive line, who were ranked 32nd in the league when it comes to PFF, you know what they did this week? (Pro Football Focus) showed them some love because they saw how efficient this offensive line was,” Bumpus said. “They only gave up two sacks. Each quarterback had a sack and one of the sacks was not (the line’s) fault. I believe Drew Lock should have shifted the protection or thrown the hot (route) off the edge there (at the) end of the football game.”
It wasn’t just pass protection where the line shined, either.
“I’m looking at these combo blocks … good posts and good steps,” Bumpus said. “Everything looked fluid with this offensive line. I’m extremely encouraged. I was a little concerned because you’ve got some rookies out there at right tackle and left tackle, but they didn’t look like rookies. Charles Cross dominated a man or two every now and then. It was beautiful to watch, man. I encourage you guys this week to focus on the offensive line a couple of series a game and watch how these big bodies are moving bodies and creating these run lanes for these running backs and (buying) time for the quarterback to hold the football. Andy Dickerson, great job so far, sir.”
Cross, the Seahawks’ first-round pick from Mississippi State, played very well at left tackle. And Lucas also caught Bumpus’ eye, and not just because they’re both WSU Cougar products.
“I want to highlight my guy, Abraham Lucas. Very first run of the game, he pancakes another individual. It was beautiful to watch,” he said. “I love seeing young players make these plays, especially their first time out there … Pancakes, aggressive.”
ᴘɪᴄᴋ 'ᴇᴍ ᴜᴘ
ᴘᴜᴛ 'ᴇᴍ ᴅᴏᴡɴAbe Lucas handled business in his first @NFL game 😤 pic.twitter.com/JUBsNArdUH
— Seattle Seahawks (@Seahawks) August 16, 2022
Lucas making plays in the run game, like Cross, is especially notable given the pass-heavy style of offense they both played in college.
“(The big question was) is he going to be able to run block (since) he comes from an Air Raid offense. I understand the concerns, but if you look at this man during training camp, how he moves, how he prepares, he was the first guy out on the field every day (at practice). Our blue collar guy got out there early,” Bumpus said.
Listen to the full second hour at this link or in the player below.
