THE CHEAP SEATS with STEVE CAMERON: Blame Geno, but also that offensive line

So, you’ve been a Seahawks fan forever.

You go through agony when they throw away games that should have been in the bag.

OK, you can relax this week as the Hawks rest through their bye week.

Even better, coach Mike Macdonald and his staff can go over play by play, and get a good, long look at those moments when they shot themselves in the foot.

Instead of 4-5, they could fairly easily be 6-3 without all the blown assignments, the litany of penalties and so on.

Fans point at Geno Smith, and sure, the QB has made some gaffes at terrible times.

For a guy who’s been in the league since George Halas founded the Bears, Geno makes some shocking rookie mistakes.

We know this.

We wish the Chiefs would trade us Patrick Mahomes, and now we’re in dreamland.

But here’s the thing: Geno isn’t the worst of this team’s problems.

There are offensive schemes that could put him in better situations, maybe rolling out with play-action looks, whatever.

The truth is that the Seahawks’ offensive line isn’t good enough for this drop-back, fight-off-the-rush and fling a 4-yard pass into the flat.

GENO WILL get blasted in this current scheme.

He’s actually a sweet passer, but it makes no difference if he’s on his back or throwing a wobbler to a linebacker.

Longtime NFL lineman Mark Schlereth — one of the famous “Hogs” in Washington — was a guest on Seattle Sports radio this week and had a few suggestions that might help Geno Smith and the Seahawks offensive line.

One major change that Schlereth would consider immediately is using Smith under center more often, as a percentage of plays called using a shotgun.

There are some stats that cry out for offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb to cut down on Geno in the shotgun.

In 2023, Geno Smith averaged 23 shotgun pass attempts per game and had four shotgun snaps for every one under center snap.

In Grubb’s first season as OC, Geno is averaging 38 shotgun passes per game, and 10 shotgun snaps for every one under center.

So, what’s the argument for putting the quarterback under center, and what’s the problem if you do it?

Schlereth pointed out Smith getting sacked (seven times against the Rams) and said that Grubb’s overuse of shotgun calls is as much of a reason for the Seahawks' poor offensive line play as anything else.

“Show me a team that gives up seven sacks and I’ll show you a team that has a coordinator that doesn’t understand what the problems are up front,” Schlereth said.

SCHLERETH pointed out another comparison regarding use of the shotgun.

Geno in shotgun this season: 213/313, 9 TD, 10 INT, 26 sacks, 86.3 rating.

Geno under center: 20/29, 2 TD, 0 INT, 2 sacks, 113.1 rating.

Schlereth explained what happens when the ball is snapped.

“When I’m under center and we run play action, linebackers have to step up. In shotgun, linebackers can see the backfield much cleaner than if you’re under center. The QB turns his back to the defense when you run play action under center, and in shotgun you don’t.

“So, the ball never truly gets hidden. In shotgun, defenses tend to play high to low, meaning they get deeper drops and take away intermediate routes.

“When you’re playing under center, linebackers play about a yard closer to the ball and then when you turn your back to the defense, they can’t help but step up, same with safeties, and so you create a bigger space between the linebackers and the deep coverage. It creates easier throwing windows and quicker throws and in turn helps the offensive line.”

Key points from Schlereth on Seahawk penalties: “When you get a lot of penalties as an offensive line, what it tells me is you’re out of position.

“You’re either out of position because you don’t have good feet or hands, or because you’re dumb and you don’t understand where your help is.”

Here’s my favorite advice from Schlereth, on the issue of helping the Seahawks line make the best of things while they’re searching for talent.

In the meantime, go for chemistry.

“As long as all 5 O-linemen are doing the wrong thing together, it will be a successful play.”

Email: scameron@cdapress.com

Steve Cameron’s “Cheap Seats” columns appear in The Press four times each week, normally Tuesday through Friday unless, you know, stuff happens.

Steve suggests you take his opinions in the spirit of a Jimmy Buffett song: “Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On.”