Seahawks' Charles Cross: 'Overlooked' Key to Geno Smith Success?
When it comes to a quarterback's success, many look to the offensive line, and for the Seattle Seahawks, that unit more than carried its weight in what was a surprising season last year.
Geno Smith took over from Russell Wilson and immediately when to work and propelled the Seahawks to a playoff appearance and broke several franchise records along the way.
But it wasn't all Smith, as the offensive line more than did its part, so much so that CBS Sports.com has named second-year offensive tackle Charles Cross as the one player Seattle can't afford to lose next season.
"It's all about giving the QB a clean pocket," CBS Sports writes. "Geno Smith's turnover tendencies started to flare up down the stretch in his breakout 2022. With Jaxon Smith-Njigba joining the WR corps, Cross is an overlooked key to them staying in the mix."
With Cross playing all 17 regular-season games and the playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers, totaling an incredible 1,091 snaps (regular season) playing along the offensive line and another 76 on special teams, his value to the offense can't be underestimated.
Much has been made of the Seahawks' offense that now includes rookie Smith-Njigba, who will complement D.K. Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, but all that will count for nothing if Smith can't stay upright and out of harm's way.
Seattle gave up 46 sacks last season (ranked 10th) yet still managed to average 23.9 points per game (ranked ninth).
With more weapons on offense and Smith another year into the groove as the starter, the offensive line's job is now more critical than ever as there are expectations on Seattle this season, with Cross the one who could be leading the charge in protecting his quarterback.
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