Mike Macdonald Tips 275-Pounder to Fix Seahawks’ Run Game

Mike Macdonald knows the Seattle Seahawks need more from their running game, but the head coach expects the return of a 275-pounder to increase “flexibility” on the ground, at a time when offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is experimenting with changes to his familiar zone-base rushing schemes.

Macdonald is referring to beefy fullback Robbie Ouzts, who is expected to play against the Washington Commanders in Week 9. He’s missed the last four games because of an ankle injury, but believes the blocking back’s return is “great. It wasn’t a long practice, but got some good reps in,” per The Tacoma News Tribune’s Gregg Bell.

Having Ouzts back in the lineup will mean a shift in how the Seahawks deploy personnel in the running game. As Macdonald pointed out, “We’ve majored in 12 personnel, 13 personnel. We’ll see how the game plan shakes out, but Robbie provides more two-back flexibility than probably we’ve had.”

New, heavier formations can unlock the so far unfulfilled potential the Seahawks have when running the ball. Kubiak is trying to make the ground game the foundation of his offense, but the results have been far from inspiring.

Seahawks Need Changes in the Running Game

Despite the breakaway talents of Kenneth Walker III, along with the rugged dependability of Zach Charbonnet, the Seahawks are scaring nobody with their running game. They “rank eighth in the league in rushing attempts, but are 30th in yards-per-carry average (3.7), per Seahawks.com Senior Reporter John Boyle.

Numbers like those aren’t befitting of Kubiak’s expertise with the famed zone-stretch system. That staple play isn’t yielding much for Walker and Co., but “Teams are dedicated to stopping it — the Seahawks face loaded boxes at the highest rate in the league,” according to Michael-Shawn Dugar of The Athletic.

Kubiak is attempting to change things to include more counter, gap and straight-ahead power runs. Those plays were used with mixed results during the 27-19 win over the Houston Texans in Week 7.

As Dugar explained, “The pivot would then be to gash teams between the tackles, which the Seahawks attempted — with a little bit of success — against the Texans. But is that the best use of the personnel? They have a light, athletic offensive line, which is why a scheme based on running off the ball was supposed to pop.”

Tight ends not physical enough to hold blocks is another problem, so the Seahawks need to get bigger along the line of scrimmage. Enter Ouzts.

Robbie Ouzts’ Return Boosts One-Dimensional Offense

He’s just a rookie, but 2025 NFL draft fifth-round pick Ouzts has already made a positive impact. Like when he helped Walker rush for 105 yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 2.

Ouzts delivered a series of crushing blocks, with the best highlighted by NFL Network’s Brian Baldinger.

That’s the kind of difference a fullback the size of a defensive lineman can make. Putting some more oomph into their rushing concepts is how the Seahawks move the ball more effectively on the ground.

It’s also how Kubiak can begin transitioning away from having backs attack the perimeter behind zone blocking. Instead, Ouzts can lead the way for a smash-mouth approach finally productive enough to adequately complement prolific quarterback Sam Darnold, who is playing at an MVP-worthy level.

Heat's most unlikely standout ready to replace Duncan Robinson

It does seem as if the Miami Heat and head coach Erik Spoelstra have done it again. Simone Fontecchio has helped the team 

cushion the loss of Duncan Robinson, and then some. It's still so early, but Fontecchio is trending in a way where he's going to be remembered as the clear-cut replacement for Robinson.

Through the first four games of the season, Fontecchio has surpassed all expectations that the Heat (and the fan base) could've had for him. In fact, not much was even expected from Fontecchio heading into the season, even with the loss of Robinson.

He was still relatively unknown, and there was no guarantee he was even going to be in the regular rotation early on in the season. All of those concerns look foolish now, considering how well he's played under the circumstances.

Fontecchio has been red-hot to start out the year for the Heat, averaging 14 points and three rebounds on 61 percent shooting from the field and 50 percent shooting from 3-point range (on nearly five attempts per game). Perhaps most importantly, he's played a huge role in the Heat's 

early-season bench success, averaging roughly 20 minutes per contest.

With the way he's looked to start out the year, Fontecchio fits the bill of Spo's next unlikely find.

Simone Fontecchio's journey to the Heat

During his first three seasons in the NBA, Fontecchio played for two different teams. Then, this past summer, he was a "throw-in" as the Detroit Pistons were interested in a sign-and-trade deal for Robinson. Or at least that was the expectation from most.

The Heat's decision-makers clearly believed they could help get the most out of Fontecchio, and that's exactly what we've seen so far this season. But, make no mistake, the decision to include Fontecchio in the original sign-and-trade deal from the Pistons was viewed as an extremely controversial move.

It's safe to say that the sentiment around that move has clearly changed.

Injuries have certainly taken a toll during the early portion of Fontecchio's NBA career, but he always possessed a strong shooting prowess. That's finally all coming to fruition this season with the Heat.

Interestingly enough, if there's one factor that may have played a big role in Fontecchio's strong start to the year, it was participating for Team Italy in the EuroBasket Tournament. In some ways, there's a reason to believe that his strong play in the EuroBasket Tournament helped propel him for an impressive start to the year.

If that's the case, the Heat have quickly become the huge beneficiaries of Fontecchio's recent rise. And this could just be the start of a magical year.

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