Thursday night the Seahawks host the Dallas Cowboys in a preseason game at CenturyLink Field. This is the third of Seattle’s four preseason contests, and the third game typically is the one when the starters see the most action — Seahawks offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell already acknowledged the starting offense will play into the third quarter.
Therefore, Thursday’s game is the closest approximation to what we’ll see during the regular season. With that in mind, here’s five things to watch for:
1) Can the offense put points on the scoreboard?
Seattle’s full first-team offense was on the field for six drives in the Seahawks’ first two preseason games, one series against Kansas City and five series against Minnesota. In those six drives Seattle didn’t score a single point. This is the same offense that was arguably the NFL’s most explosive during the second half of last season as Seattle averaged 32 points per game. It’s time for the Seahawks to show that ability again.
2) How is playing time doled out at tackle?
While the interior positions on Seattle’s re-made offensive line seem set, things are yet to be settled at the tackle spots. When training camp began the Seahawks had Garry Gilliam as the starting left tackle and J’Marcus Webb as the starting right tackle. However, Webb suffered a knee injury during practice, and Seattle responded by moving Gilliam to the right side, where he played last season, and installed Bradley Sowell on the left side. Webb is expected back Thursday, and Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said he’s an option on either the right or the left, so it will be informative to see who plays where and for how long.
3) Who starts at strong-side linebacker?
This is the defensive position that’s most up for grabs. When training camp began three players were in the hunt for taking the spot vacated when Bruce Irvin departed in free agency: veteran special teamer Mike Morgan, converted defensive end Cassius Marsh and practice squadder Eric Pinkins. Morgan and Marsh appear to be the primary candidates now, and whoever gets the first-teams snaps Thursday will likely be the starter come opening day.
4) How do the Seahawks deploy their cornerback assets?
Throughout the preseason DeShawn Shead and Jeremy Lane have vied for the starting spot at right corner (with Tharold Simon also getting a sniff). Shead and Lane offer differing styles, with Shead being the bigger, more physical corner, while Lane is the smaller, quicker option. Those differing styles allow the Seahawks to play match-ups if they want. Regardless, both will play plenty in nickel packages, with Shead on the outside and Lane in the slot.
5) Who does the long snapping?
The Seahawks cycled through long snappers during the offseason, eventually settling on undrafted rookie Nolan Frese. However, Freese had his hiccups last week against Minnesota, and during the week we saw both Sowell and linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis get some work at long snapper. It suggests this could be a do-or-die game for Frese, otherwise Seattle might have Clint Gresham on speed dial.
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