‘He Just Knows’: Inside Seahawks Rookie OT Abraham Lucas’ ‘Mentality’

NFL groups do not at all times obtain an instantaneous return on funding from their third-round draft picks, however the identical can’t be stated for the Seattle Seahawks.

Rookie proper deal with, Abraham Lucas, taken No. 72 total out of Washington State, has began all 10 of Seattle’s video games to this point, enjoying each single offensive snap alongside the way in which.

Whereas it hasn’t all been straightforward for Lucas, who stands tied for 14th in most sacks allowed (4) and penalties known as for (5) amongst all offensive linemen, the 24-year-old has grown right into a steady presence on quarterback Geno Smith’s sturdy facet.

Maybe most spectacular is that Lucas and fellow rookie offensive deal with Charles Cross have needed to face a few of the NFL’s premier move rushers, together with the likes of the San Francisco 49ers’ Nick Bosa, the New Orleans Saints Cameron Jordan and Los Angeles Chargers’ Khalil Mack.

By means of all of it, Lucas has risen to the problem – partially as a result of he is adopted the assured mindset of a participant mature past his years.

“Coach (Pete) Carroll got here as much as me after I obtained right here fairly
early within the morning two weeks in the past and he was asking me what my mindset was,” Lucas started. “I stated, ‘Nicely,
it’s not day by day that you just go in opposition to Corridor of Fame guys, however they should play in opposition to me too.’
For as inexperienced and as recent as I’m, I nonetheless take the mentality in the whole lot.”

It is this method that has helped Lucas acquire the respect of his teammates, together with tight finish Will Dissly, a former Washington Husky who was greater than prepared to ship compliments the rookie’s approach, even within the midst of Apple Cup week.

Dissly, who typically aligns straight subsequent to Lucas, has seen firsthand what makes him tick – and is extremely impressed with the intangibles placed on show every day.

“Abe, it’s been enjoyable to see
rookies be professionals proper out the gate,” Dissly stated. “He doesn’t really want loads of data, suggestions, and
methods. He form of simply is aware of, and goes to work, and will get the sport plan, and he’s able to go on
Sunday. So, that’s been the most important factor I’ve seen is how he works day in and time out. It’s been
actually enjoyable to look at, however the man is a mauler. I really like getting after it within the run sport,
and he does a reasonably dang good job.”

Coming from an air raid offense in school, Lucas was recognized for his prowess in move safety, not his capability as a run blocker. However his progress in that regard has, in a way, served as a microcosm of his season – whereas troublesome in some respects, he is discovered methods to beat the adversity and higher not solely himself however the Seahawks’ offensive line within the course of.

Maybe the most important motive behind Lucas’ improvement is the “skilled” method he carries, as Dissly alluded to. A 42-game starter at Washington State, Lucas arrived pretty seasoned in his mindset, one thing that stood out to Dissly when discussing each rookie tackles.

“I attempted to evangelise
it to them early that, ‘Hey, the following play is a very powerful one,’ as a result of that’s form of what
we do right here,” began Dissly. “However they’re like, ‘We all know.’ I used to be like, ‘Alright.’ It’s cool to see them. It doesn’t
actually matter what goes on all through the sport. It’s simply the following play, the following process, going, and
whooping a man’s butt.”

From Pullman to Seattle, from underdeveloped run blocker to balanced power and from third-round choose to every-game rookie starter, Lucas has remained the identical and had success regardless of the scenario.

It is really a business-like story from a participant with a businessman’s method – and he is dealing with his enterprise each on and off the sector consequently.

You possibly can observe Daniel Flick on Twitter @DFlickDraft

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