Seattle's Shaky Offense Suffers A Significant Loss

Sep 05, 2010

The Seahawks' most significant departure Saturday may not have had anything to do with the 20 players who were released.

Alex Gibbs, the offensive-line coach Pete Carroll considered a critical part of the staff, told the team he was retiring.

"We wish Alex the best in his retirement," Carroll said in the team's announcement of the move. "We're grateful for the time we had with him, and we're all better for it."

There's no way to minimize the magnitude of his departure, coming just eight days before the team's season opener.

Gibbs, 69, was described as "worn out" by a team spokesman. He is a coach known for his intensity and demanding style. Gibbs is one of the league's foremost experts on the zone-blocking system that Seattle will continue to use. What Seattle does in Gibbs' spot remains uncertain. Art Valero, hired from St. Louis in January, is the assistant offensive-line coach. Pat Ruel, Carroll's offensive-line coach the previous five seasons at USC, is now working in the UFL.

The offensive line has been an increasingly troublesome spot for Seattle over the previous four seasons, culminating last year when the Seahawks started four different players at left tackle waiting for Walter Jones to recover from knee surgery. He never did.

Seattle drafted Russell Okung to play left tackle, and signed veterans like Ben Hamilton and Chester Pitts. Okung suffered a high ankle sprain in the second exhibition game and is considered unlikely to play in the season opener. Mansfield Wrotto — a converted guard — started at left tackle the past two games. Pitts and Stacy Andrews, a lineman Seattle is expected to acquire in a trade from Philadelphia, also may be candidates to play left tackle.

Gibbs' addition to the coaching staff is the reason Seattle parted ways with Mike Solari, Seattle's offensive-line coach the previous two seasons. Solari was offered a chance to remain in Seattle as the tight-ends coach, but turned it down. Solari is now the offensive-line coach for San Francisco.

Fantasy Impact:

Normally, the departure of an offensive line coach isn't big news, but considering Gibbs is one of the best and that we are only a week away from the beginning of the 2010, this is bad news for Seattle. Coaching changes right before the start of a season often cause havoc. It's just another reason to be wary of any Seattle players if you still have drafts on the horizon.

yesterday

Raiders sign RB Sincere McCormick to roster; WR D.J. Turner to IR

Pro Football Talk

yesterday · 7:50 PM EST

The Raiders used up their temporary practice squad elevations for running back Sincere McCormick, so they made a more lasting roster move on Tuesday.

McCormick has been signed to the 53-man roster in Las Vegas. Wide receiver D.J. Turner was placed on injured reserve in a corresponding move.

Related players: Alexander Mattison, Zamir White, Ameer Abdullah

Fantasy Impact:

McCormick played in the last two games for the Raiders as they were missing Mattison and White due to injuries. McCormick ran 12 times for 64 yards in last Friday’s loss to the Chiefs and he had five carries for 33 yards against the Broncos in Week 12, the story said. McCormick led the way for the Raiders against the Chiefs with 12 carries to Abdullah's 10. McCormick may be worth a pickup and stash at this point, as the Raiders are trying to figure out their roster for 2025. Mattison, White and Abdullah don't necessarily offer much future upside at the position, so it's possible the team will see what they have with McCormick going forward. However, keep an eye on the injury statuses of Mattison and White. The Raiders are at Tampa Bay in Week 14.

Commanders RB Austin Ekeler (concussion) week to week

Ben Standing on X

yesterday · 7:21 PM EST

Austin Ekeler's response when asked whether he could return this season:

"It's week to week. I want to continue to learn more. It's my second concussion (this season). Am I more susceptible to a third now that I've had two and the severity of mine? It's a learning process for me because I've never had anything this bad and twice in the same season. ... The best thing about is the team has my back ... I really appreciate DQ (Dan Quinn) and Adam Peters for being there."

Related players: Brian Robinson, Jeremy McNichols, Chris Rodriguez

Fantasy Impact:

It doesn't seem like Ekeler has a timetable and the week to week tag indicates it could be some time. Ekeler is clearly concerned about this long-term well-being. From a fantasy angle, Robinson should continue to lead the way with McNichols seeing the passing down work. Rodriguez may be a guy to pick up in deeper leagues as a stash, especially if Ekeler ends up missing significant time. Rodriguez got some mop-up time and ended up carrying the ball 13 times for 94 yards, adding a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Titans.

49ers sign RB Israel Abanikanda; RB Christian McCaffrey to IR

Pro Football Talk

yesterday · 6:09 PM EST

The 49ers were down to one healthy running back on their active roster, so they added another one off the waiver wire on Tuesday.

The NFL’s daily transaction report shows that they have claimed Israel Abanikanda off of waivers from the Jets. Abanikanda was let go on Monday when the Jets signed running back/kick returner Kene Nwangwu to the 53-man roster.

Christian McCaffrey was officially moved to injured reserve in a corresponding move.

Related players: Isaac Guerendo, Patrick Taylor, Ke'Shawn Vaughn

Fantasy Impact:

Guerendo is expected to take over the team's RB1 role with Christian McCaffrey and Jordan Mason both heading to IR. Abanikanda should be a familiar name to those in dynasty circles. He was a 2023 fifth-round pick but at the time was buried on the depth chart with the Jets, and he never earned much of a role on offense and didn’t play in the regular season this year, the story said. He appeared in six games as a rookie and ran 22 times for 70 yards while catching seven passes for 43 yards, the story added. The team also signed Vaughn to their practice squad.