By Mazvita Maraire Posted on

Mike Macdonald names Seahawks starting offenseive line for Week One

Head coach Mike Macdonald made official what  was a pretty much a foregone conclusion regarding the team’s starting offensive line for the home opener with the Niners.

“ We have made a decision on an offensive line. Abe (Abraham Lucas) will start at right tackle, Anthony Bradford will start at right guard, Jalen (Sundell) right now is our starting center, Grey’s (Zabel) obviously at left guard and Charles Cross at left tackle, respectively,” said  Macdonald .” Good stuff, but, as you know, nothing’s set in stone. Those guys have done a great job. Olu’s (Oluwatimi) done a phenomenal job, he’s ready to go, if anything happens, but that’s the crew that we’ll start the season with.”

From day one of training camp, there were really two spots that were open to competition. Oluwatimi and Sundell were neck and neck until back issues limited Oluwatimi’s practice availability.  Sundell wasted no time in stepping in and cementing himself as the starter.  Sundell knows something about perseverance.

He started the season on the inactive list and saw his first real game action in Week Nine against the Rams.  His best game was against the Green Bay Packers in Week 15. Sundell played a season high 48 offensive snaps at tackle. After that Sundell saw sporadic special team snaps.

BRADFORD STEPS IN AT RIGHT GUARD

Right guard was the other  open battle, and like the  center battle, the competition between Bradford and Christine Haynes was cut short due to injury. Haynes suffered a pectoral injury during training camp but was a  able to participate in the Hawks’ first two preseason games, swinging from left guard to right guard. The injury worsened and forced Haynes  to watch the Seahawks last preseason game on the sidelines and landed him on the  injured reserve.

Haynes will now have to miss at least four games before he can return. Mason Richman ( right guard),  Bryce Cabeldue (left guard), and   Josh Jones at right tackle will serve as the backups. As for which one of the aforementioned will be first to leave the bench , Macdonald was coy when asked the question.

“Probably leave that one under wraps right now, but you could see some moving pieces if somebody lost their helmet for an extended period of time,’ said Macdonald.

PROFESSIONAL FROM DAY ONE

One play Macdonald was happy to talk about was  first round draft pick Gray Zabel. The teams 18th overall pick stepped into the left guard position and never looked back.

“He’s got a high standard for the way he sees himself on how to play and what he expects of our offense, and our offensive line. He’s one of those guys that’s not going to accept anything less than that. That’s contagious. He’s connected with his teammates well. Those guys have awesome relationships, and they’re playing for one another, so that’s all you can ask for,’ said Macdonald.

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