There\u2019s the addition of first-round draft pick Grey Zabel, who is expected to be Seattle\u2019s starting left guard. There\u2019s new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, whose Shanahan-style system is thought to be a more O-line-friendly scheme<\/a>. And there\u2019s new offensive line coach John Benton, who brings more than two decades of NFL O-line coaching experience to the Pacific Northwest.<\/p>\n With fully padded practices now underway at training camp, former NFL offensive lineman Ray Roberts<\/a> got a chance to see some of those changes in action. Here are two things that stood out to him, as he explained Tuesday on Seattle Sports\u2019 Wyman and Bob<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Better shape<\/p>\n Roberts said the first thing he noticed was that several young offensive linemen appeared to be in better shape. That\u2019s particularly notable given that Kubiak\u2019s offense features a heavy dose of wide-zone blocking, which requires linemen to be quicker and more agile.<\/p>\n \u201cThe body composition just looked different,\u201d Roberts said. \u201cSome of the young guys last year still kind of had like the college body. \u2026 And like even Bradford, his body has changed a little bit. He looks a little tighter and firmer more muscular.<\/p>\n \u201cThey just look more athletic,\u201d he added. \u201cThey\u2019re not big, huge bruising dudes, but for this offense, that\u2019s not exactly (what you need). And so they have guys that are mobile that can move and play with power and strength.\u201d<\/p>\n The coaching<\/p>\n Roberts also highlighted the coaching aspect, pointing to how the O-line was working the various techniques required for different pass-blocking sets<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cOne was just their regular pass sets where they\u2019re dropping at like a 45-degree angle, save for the tackles,\u201d Roberts said. \u201cAnd then there\u2019s another one called a short set, where you\u2019re almost going at the defender as if it\u2019s a run, but your pads are up a little bit higher so you can be under control. And there\u2019s also one that\u2019s called a jump set, where you take two steps at (a 45-degree angle) and then you attack the defender.\u201d<\/p>\n As Roberts explained, mixing up pass-protection sets can help keep pass rushers off-balanced.<\/p>\n \u201cThose are tools in your belt to use in different plays and different matchups where you know that you can do those different things,\u201d Roberts said. \u201cThat allows you to disrupt the timing of the pass rush. Last year, it seemed like everybody was setting to the same spot every time. And as a defender, it\u2019s easy to game plan for that. You know like on my third step or my second inside step, I\u2019m gonna swim to the inside. On my third outside step, I\u2019m gonna bull rush. So you can time all that stuff up.<\/p>\n \u201cBut when you can disrupt their timing, then it puts the offense in an aggressive spot in pass protection. \u2026 Now they have to react to what you\u2019re doing. Now they have to think a little bit. They can\u2019t just play on instinct, and maybe they\u2019re just a hair bit slower coming off the ball. That\u2019s gonna equate to that much more time to get the ball off.\u201d<\/p>\n Listen to the full conversation with Ray Roberts at this link<\/a> or in the audio player near the top of this story. Tune in to Wyman and Bob weekdays from 2 to 7 p.m. or find the podcast on the Seattle Sports app.<\/p>\n More on the Seattle Seahawks<\/p>\n \u2022 Why Seahawks\u2019 extension with GM Schneider makes \u2018complete sense\u2019<\/a>
\u2022 Macdonald: Seahawks\u2019 defense enters Year 2 on much \u2018better foundation\u2019<\/a>
\u2022 Reports: Seahawks LT Charles Cross had finger surgery<\/a>
\u2022 Seattle Seahawks GM explains decision to release TE Noah Fant<\/a>
\u2022 Macdonald: Seattle Seahawks QBs have made \u2018significant jump\u2019 since spring<\/a><\/p>\n
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