Sunday, May 23, 2021. 11:32 AM
MONTREAL – Both physically and mentally, Pier-Olivier Lestage is not the type to be shaken easily. But he admits he’s been amazed a few times since taking his first steps with the Seattle Seahawks.
It’s been about ten days since the Quebec offensive lineman has been immersed in his dream at the Seahawks’ training complex, which is located about fifteen minutes from their stadium.
“It’s great fun, it’s been so long since I played football. I was happy to put on my helmet for the first time in almost 18 months. Of course, I had to stop a few times to say to myself ‘I’m here, I’m really in the NFL’. It is as if I had fulfilled part of my dream, but I still have a lot to do. But it’s great fun, we are treated really well and the coaches are excellent. I could not ask for better, ”confided Lestage during an interview with the author of these lines and esteemed colleague Stéphane Cadorette.
It would be astonishing if Lestage was not thrilled by the magnitude of what he was going through. It remains a major feat when a Quebecer obtains the confidence of an NFL team, but Lestage achieved this feat without having played in 2020. In short, we assume that few players enjoy this opportunity in the NFL so much.
“Yeah, it’s been more complicated than any year. It would have been nice to have lived it all in a normal year to show what kind of player I am in my last season and to enter the NFL in a little more conventional way. There are a lot of last minute changes to deal with with my agent Sasha (Ghavami), but that’s part of the game, we cannot control what is happening with COVID. But still, all I wanted was to be able to compete in this league. I’m going to do whatever I can to be successful and make a name for myself in the NFL, ”said the six-foot-three, 312-pound athlete.
From what he sees so far, Lestage considers that he is doing well while being realistic about the adaptation required from his career in Canadian university football.
“Yeah, I feel in my place, I don’t feel downgraded at any level,” he first noted.
“Of course, compared to all the guys here, I have a few more adjustments to make versus the rules in Canada. It makes me work a little bit more, but I’m improving and correcting things every day. It won’t take long before I’m at the same level as everyone on this side, that I’m an American football player and not a Canadian football player who is trying to become one, ”continued the 23-year-old. years.
Inevitably, in the short term, he has to get used to trench warfare without the space of a Canadian football yardstick.
“Here, the defensive lineman you want to block is right in your face. You have to react faster, ”agreed Lestage, who is learning to take smaller steps, take his second step faster and raise his hands faster to perform the required technique.
Lestage shows his interest in the center position
The Seahawks’ offensive line protection woes are well known and quarterback Russell Wilson could talk about it – in private – for a long time. Thus, Lestage was drawn even more to the lure of the Seahawks.
So far the Seahawks have used him mostly in his natural guard position, but Lestage has kindly conveyed the message that he would like to gain some experience as a center.
“It’s a plan that satisfies me. Of course I would like to take reps at the center position and I mentioned that to my offensive line coach (Mike Solari). But, to play center, you have to know the game book from A to Z. Maybe that’s why I’m playing guard now, it will be easier while learning the book from top to bottom. Playing center, I think it’s the position that suits me best because of my size, ”commented the former University of Montreal Carabins.
Especially since the succession is not present at the center position with Ethan Pocic who has a one-season contract.
“That’s one of the reasons Seattle was so high on my list, I saw a possibility there. At the moment, I am not fighting for a starting position, it would be skipping stages, I start by familiarizing myself with the game book and correcting mistakes related to the differences with Canada. When it is done, I am a great competitor so I will have in mind a starting position and a place in the active formation of 53 players, ”elaborated Lestage.
The interest was mutual for the Seahawks. Lestage even had three discussions with Solari before signing his free agent contract in addition to speaking with head coach Pete Carroll.
“My videos were very good, it showed that I am a very good athlete able to play in space, with a low center of gravity and that I was finishing all my blocks. Those are three things that are sought after on the offensive line. Maybe the fact that I was playing in Canada was becoming a question mark. But, if you put someone in front of me, my athleticism stood out, it was attractive, ”identified Lestage, who was drafted by the Montreal Alouettes on the CFL side.
Realistic in the face of Pete Carroll’s enthusiasm for him
Pete Carroll throws flowers at Lestage
Moreover, the presence of Lestage aroused curiosity among the journalists who cover the activities of the club and who nickname him “Pier” to facilitate pronunciation. Thus, Carroll was quickly asked about him and he made no secret of his enthusiasm.
“Yeah, I heard (the excerpt), sure it’s flattering. But I didn’t get too many ideas with that, the question was asked and it wasn’t to say that I was disappointing him or anything. It’s encouraging, but I have to work hard to make my place. It’s definitely nice to hear that from Pete Carroll, ”he reacted realistically.
Ballasting at the Seahawks’ camp
His experience with the Seahawks began with the two-day rookie mini-camp. He followed up with the rookie development program which will run until June 20.
“We have a big schedule from Monday to Thursday with training and a lot of meetings and effort on the playbook. It’s been very long working days, but it’s our passion, it’s not too much to ask, it’s trippy, ”described Lestage while the photos suggest that the site is fabulous on the shores of Lake Washington .
Unlike other organizations, it’s only the players who participate in the rookie program that show up at the Seahawks complex these days. Thus, Lestage did not cross the Wilson, DK Metcalf, Jamal Adams and company. The only contact he had with veterans was virtually during meetings. He can easily recover from July 20 during training camp.
