As Jaxon Smith-Njigba thrives, DK Metcalf keeps finding ways to help offense, including ‘Trying To Block My Ass Off’

As Smith pointed out, one of the many ways Metcalf has continued to help the team is his blocking ability, which comes from a combination of strength, physicality and will that few, if any, other receivers possess.

“Just the competitor, the relentless competitor,” Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said when asked about Metcalf. “Just love to see him out there, man. Feel good when he’s out there doing his thing. But I know if teams want to play like high-low, double on him, it’s a little harder to get him the ball .So we have to keep finding creative ways to make him come alive, but when that doesn’t happen, I think we’ll definitely feel the full DK experience.

“There are so many of those plays that are easy to go unnoticed, but I know, I don’t want to see him block me. I don’t want to be out there with him blocking me.”

As Metcalf pointed out this week, his willingness to mix it up as a blocker shouldn’t come as a surprise, not when you consider that his father, Terrence Metcalf, was an offensive lineman who spent seven seasons with the Bears.

“Well, my dad played offense, so I watched him grow up and admired the blocking aspect of the game,” Metcalf said. “And a lot of people don’t take blocking seriously, and I try to do it just to try to separate myself from other receivers in the league.”

One of Seattle’s most physical offensive linemen, Abraham Lucas, can see the offensive line impact in Metcalf’s game.

“DK does a good job blocking,” Lucas said. “I like his mentality. Once he gets going, it’s pretty hard to stop him. He’s ferocious. He’s not a guy who takes any crap from anybody, and you like that. I think ​​he would be a good offensive lineman if he was playing O-line.”

While Metcalf, like any receiver, would love to get the ball more often, he also realizes that the way teams are focusing on him only validates the success he’s had in his career.

“I just look at it as a sign of respect that I’ve gotten from other defensive coordinators and just continue to do my job with it like blocking or being a decoy,” he said. “The ball will find me some play but if it doesn’t at least we get the dub and that’s all that matters in this league is to win and keep winning and if you keep on to win, you become So no, I just continue to do my job.

Asked what his priorities are when he doesn’t get the ball, Metcalf smiled and let the inner O-lineman in him come out: “Trying to block my ass and trying to get pancakes on defensive backs.”