Sataoa Laumea Putting 'Talents on Display' Boosting Seahawks Run Game

As coach Mike Macdonald pointed out on Monday, Seattle's run game finding traction should be chalked up as a group effort for the entire offensive line, which seems to be building chemistry and cohesion in the trenches. Amidst a season where the coaching staff has continually had to tinker with the lineup due to injuries and sudden retirements, playing two games in a row with the same starting five was a welcomed sight.

But it shouldn't be seen as a coincidence at this point that Seattle's fortunes have improved since rookie Sataoa Laumea took over at right guard two weeks ago, and with him developing a rapport alongside center Olu Oluwatimi and tackle Abraham Lucas, Macdonald has seen the sixth-round pick out of Utah already take big steps on the field in his short time as a starter.

"I thought he played a really good football game. You can see all of his talents on display," Macdonald said of Laumea. "He saw some confidence. I thought he played well in the [Jets] game too. Like I said, he did have a little bit of a slow start that way, but we talked about this yesterday after the game, but just continuity up front and having the same five guys, not only is Sataoa taking all the reps, but it's all the other guys across from him that Olu [Oluwatimi] is used to communicating with and having Abe [Lucas] on a consecutive streak here going in. So I think all those things are contributing to those guys playing well."

Thrust into the lineup after starter Anthony Bradford suffered a high ankle sprain in a Week 12 win versus the Cardinals, Laumea endured his share of struggles in his first NFL game against the Jets. He drew a pair of penalties, including a hold that wiped out a long run for Walker, and gave up two pressures in the first half against a strong interior Jets defensive line, seeming overwhelmed at times.

But as the game progressed, things started to slow down for Laumea, and in the second half, he started to win at the point of attack, consistently knocking defenders off the ball at the line of scrimmage and climbing his way to the second level to pick up linebackers. He also made a key block to watch defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw outside, opening up the crease for Charbonnet to run for an eight-yard game-winning touchdown in the fourth quarter.

Building off that success, Laumea played an integral part in Seattle's ground and pound dominance on Sunday, winning with physicality as well as underrated athleticism and agility. Shining on Grubb's counter trey runs, he regularly ambushed defenders on kickout blocks, including laying a pancake block on defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga that helped spring Charbonnet for a 51-yard touchdown late in the second quarter to extend the lead to 24-10 before halftime.