Happy Blue Friday, 12s! Here's a look at what's out there today — August 20 — about your Seattle Seahawks.
Gabe Jackson Joins 710 ESPN's "Danny & Gallant"
One of the biggest moves of the Seahawks' offseason was the trade for veteran guard Gabe Jackson from the Las Vegas Raiders in March. In exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2021 draft, the Seahawks received the 30-year-old Jackson, who has started 99 of 100 games played during his career and gave up zero sacks over 16 starts in 2020.
With Mike Iupati retiring earlier this offseason, Jackson figures to take over at the right guard position, which he played over his first two seasons with the Raiders before switching to the left side. With left guard Damien Lewis heading into his second season after a promising rookie year and All-Pro Duane Brown returning at left tackle, Jackson hopes to bolster an offensive line that saw improvement down the stretch of last season.
On Thursday, Jackson spoke with 710 ESPN's "Danny & Gallant" about building chemistry with the team and offensive line, playing with quarterback Russell Wilson, and more. Here are some highlights from the conversation:
The biggest key to building chemistry with the offensive line:
"It's a constant grind, man. Everyday you're working on your craft, and you're getting to know the person next to you. Your fits and coaching points, what each guy likes. Also just picking each other's mind. 'What are you thinking on this play? What are you thinking about this combination block?' And just keep building off of it."
On the cohesiveness of the offensive line group:
"All of us, we have different personalities, but we have the same goal. And that's to win, come out and compete and be dominant. I'm excited to work with these guys. The mentality everybody has and the goals everybody wants to accomplish is very exciting."
First impressions of Russell Wilson:
"It's been great. He's a great leader. He's very in-tune with the offense and talking to us about what he likes, explaining to us what he sees to help us do our job better. He's a great guy to be around."
Click here to listen to the full podcast episode (the Jackson interview starts at the 30:20 mark).
Steve Smith Sr.: Russell Wilson One Of League's Top Red Zone Threats
Behind a torrid start to the season, Russell Wilson finished 2020 with some impressive offensive numbers. The quarterback set career highs in attempts (558), completion percentage (68.8), touchdowns (40) and was 8 yards shy of a new career mark in passing yards as well (4,212).
29 of those 40 touchdown tosses came from inside the 20-yard line — just one of the reasons why NFL analyst and former All-Pro receiver Steve Smith Sr. named Wilson one of the NFL's top threats inside the red zone. Wilson checks in at number 8, ahead of Vikings WR Adam Thielen and Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott.
"Wilson threw the second-most passing TDs in the red zone last season with 29," Smith says. "He'll be cooking again in 2021 with a healthy crew in the backfield and DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett on the perimeter. What also gives Wilson a leg up on other QBs is his ability to execute under pressure and outside the tackle box, an area where he ranks first in every major passing category since 2016, per Next Gen Stats. He's so in tune with his strengths as a playmaker and it shows every time he takes the field."
Tune in to "Behind The Noise The Story Of The 12s" today at 12:12 P.M.
"Behind The Noise" is a documentary that celebrate the 45 years of passion, loyalty, and noise, let us celebrate the 12s as they prepare to return to Lumen Field after a long absence. Catch the documentary on YouTube at 12:12 P.M.
Social Post Of The Day
Could we see Quandre Diggs taking some snaps from DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett at wide receiver this season?
More From Around The Web
Seahawks.com reporter John Boyle with observations from Day 16 of Seahawks training camp.
Also at Seahawks.com, Madeline Friedman on a special appearance by The Bachelorette’s Katie Thurston at Thursday’s practice.
Bob Condotta of the Seattle Times on Russell Wilson and rookie D’Wayne Eskridge’s early morning training sessions.
Yahoo Sports' Tim Weaver with four players who he says need to step up this Saturday against the Broncos.
