Roughly midway through his Wednesday press conference, Seahawks coach Pete Carroll jokingly referred to his weekly session with the media as an "offensive line meeting" because of all the questions he was fielding on the play of the position group.
Quarterback Russell Wilson has been sacked 18 times through the Seahawks' first four games, a number that's tied with Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Alex Smith for the most in the League. The Seattle coaching staff has said not every single one of those sacks can be pinned on the offensive line's issues in pass protection, noting Wilson can get the ball out quicker on some occasions, or pass catchers can do a better job of getting open. But after watching Wilson get sacked six times against the Lions, a team that had four sacks coming into this past Monday's game at CenturyLink Field, Carroll admitted the unit needs improvement.
"We had some issues and it wasn't just any one guy," Carroll said. "Stuff happened and we needed to help them better. I really will tell you the reality of it, there's a lot of things that enter into it and sometimes it's getting the ball out when we have the chance to before the rush gets there, we missed a couple blocks, missed a couple looks at stuff, and they did a nice job with the pressures that they brought, too. So I'm really thinking about pass protection when I'm saying all that and we need to get better there. It's just ongoing and we'll continue to work at it.
"We have some thoughts about things we adjust a little bit as we go in terms of helping guys and the way we have to look at the opponent and how they fit together with our matchups, so we're doing all of that."
Seattle's 2015 offensive line features returning starters in left tackle Russell Okung and right guard J.R. Sweezy, two new starters in right tackle Garry Gilliam and center Drew Nowak, and a left guard in Justin Britt who played all of last season at right tackle. Carroll said the youth of the unit has led to some inconsistent play, particularly at center where there were a few errant snaps against Detroit, one of which resulted in a Wilson turnover. It's a fundamental aspect of the game Carroll said the team needs to get cleaned up.
"That's not the timing we're counting on," Carroll said of Nowak's snaps. "There's not an area for lost time in there and we can still function the way we want to, so we just have to be sharper."
Carroll said that as it stands "right now" the team will use the same starting five against the undefeated Bengals (4-0) on Sunday in Cincinnati, but reminded that changes are "always imminent," just as they are at every other position on Seattle's roster that emphasizes Carroll's "Always Compete" philosophy.
"Because of the competitive way we look at it the changes are always imminent," Carroll said. "They're always there. It could happen. That hasn't been different in any position for our football team. Some guys after a while they obviously establish a grace period, but the young guys that are coming up they've got a competitive aspect right there hanging with them. These guys up front are in that situation."
With Nowak's errant snaps in question at Wednesday's press conference, Patrick Lewis' name was brought up, and Carroll acknowledged the backup center who started four games for Seattle last season is still in competition for the job.
"Patrick's not out of this thing," Carroll said. "He's a good player. He has won games for us in the past, we know that. He continues to stay very close and the competition is good there. There will be a time if the opportunity opens up for him, he'll be ready to jump at it."
Despite the offensive line's recent issues, Carroll insisted the position group hasn't regressed since the start of the season.
"No, I don't think so at all," he said. "I think this is all putting money in the bank and trying to figure it out. We can use the experiences that we've had effectively. It takes a while. There's some things that they saw for the first time that an experienced group might be able to identify a little bit earlier, a little quicker, and adjust a little bit sooner. It's just part of it. We're just growing through it."
This weeks photo essay of Eye on the Hawks by team photographer Rod Mar showcases the behind the scenes excitement surrounding the Monday Night Football match-up against the Detroit Lions.
Two hours before kickoff and receiver B.J. Daniels arrives in the Seahawks locker room, never touching his boots to the carpet as he gets from door to locker on his scooter board.
Fans young and old wait outside the Seahawks locker room for players to appear for early warmups.
Jermaine Kearse relaxes on the Seahawks bench while doing a radio interview hours before kickoff.
Jimmy Graham's Bose headphones, pink this month in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness, rest on his cap on a an end zone pylon long as he gets loose before fans arrive at CenturyLink Field.
As the N.F.L. honors Breast Cancer Awareness, running back Fred Jackson went with pink wristbands, socks, tape and shoes for the contest against the visiting Detroit Lions.
Tyler Lockett listens to music in his locker during pregame as B.J. Daniels also gets ready to take the field.
Seahawks mascot Blitz, along with Seahawks including Alvin Bailey (78) and Mike Morgan, wait in the tunnel for pregame introductions.
J.R. Sweezy is a study in focus as he gets ready to exit the pregame tunnel during introductions.
This young fan has yet to grown into his helmet, and seems mesmerized by his seats behind the Seahawks bench.
Seattle won the opening coin toss and deferred their choice to the second half and let their defense do the early talking. Bobby Wagner and Michael Bennett combined on this tackle.
Cornerback Richard Sherman keeps his eyes on his target as he tackles Detroit's Calvin Johnson along the Lions sideline.
Seattle's Cary Williams, Bobby Wagner and Bruce Irvin lifted up Detroit's Michael Burton on this tackle in the first half.
This young fan is definitely a battler going Beast Mode.
Fred Jackson dances into open field on this 26-yard catch-and-run from quarterback Russell Wilson.
Quarterback Russell Wilson was under constant pressure from the Lions' pass rush, and after escaping a sack on this play, looked downfield to hit receiver Jermaine Kearse for a 34-yard gain.
Seattle's Doug Baldwin got separation from the Detroit secondary and hauled in this 24-yard touchdown pass from Russell Wilson in the second quarter.
Doug Baldwin and Jimmy Graham celebrate after Baldwin's touchdown reception gave the Seahawks a 7-0 lead.
Sea Gal Kylie makes a point as she and the squad strut their stuff with pink poms during a break in the action.
CenturyLink Field was resplendent from the air during Monday Night Football, and a stadium-record crowd and national television audience was treated to a dramatic sunset during the third quarter.
Quarterback Russell Wilson fumbles as he is hit in the fourth quarter.
This fan's wig, lights and cape couldn't hide his concern as the game got tight in the fourth quarter.
Detroit's Caraun Reid rumbles into the end zone after recovering Russell Wilson's fumble, much to the dismay of Seahawks fans in the Red Zone suites at the north end of the stadium.
Michael Bennett uses a headset to confer with coaches in the booth during the fourth quarter.
After Detroit marched the length of the field in the final minutes, Kam Chancellor was the last man in as Earl Thomas and Cary William's tackled Detroit's Calvin Johnson near the goal line, but Chancellor knocked the ball loose for a fumble.
The football bounces away after Kam Chancellor caused Detroit's Calvin Johnson to fumble what would have been the go-ahead touchdown.
Seattle's K.J. Wright reaches towards the loose ball in the end zone as fans of both the Seahawks and Lions react to the game-changing play.
Referees end a conference ruling that a Detroit fumble caused by Seattle's Kam Chancellor which was batted out of the end zone by K.J. Wright would be called a touchback and possession to the Seahawks.
After Seattle started with the ball on their own 20-yard line following the touchback, Jermaine Kearse got open deep up the right side of the field for a 50-yard pass reception aided by a block by Doug Baldwin to seal the victory.
On the Seahawks sideline, Doug Baldwin talks to Kam Chancellor after Chancellor's game-saving play.
Friends and former teammates Golden Tate and Jermaine Kearse traded jerseys and knelt in prayer amid a gathering of cameras near midfield.
In the locker room after the game, running back Thomas Rawls, left and Fred Jackson listen as head coach Pete Carroll speaks to the team.
Strong safety Kam Chancellor accepts a congratulatory handshake from head coach Pete Carroll after the game in the locker room.
12s show out after the game as thousands remained in the stands to cheer and chant during the Monday Night Football postgame show.
Linebacker Bobby Wagner returned to the field to thank a huge throng of 12s who stayed to watch the Monday Night Football postgame show.
