Seattle Seahawks: Michael Bowie’s First Chance To Unseat Breno
By Josh Davis
May 10, 2013; Renton, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks offensive tackle Michael Bowie (73) participates in a rookie minicamp practice at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports
The Seattle Seahawks are gonna have to dig deep into the depth chart this week, especially on the offensive line. Why does it always seem like our team is three starters down on the line? I guess it’s back to the status quo.
That’s truly a bad thing, with J.J. Watt on the schedule and his Texans teammates all ready to chase around a sure-to-be-busier-than-usual Russell Wilson early on Sunday morning.
But it’s also a good thing, in a way.
What do I mean, you ask? I mean this is the week we get to see just how good Michael Bowie can be for this Seahawks team. No 12th Man help, no help from the all-pro center, Max Unger who is also out (not officially but basically) and every chance in the world to shine in the face of adversity.
Don’t get me wrong, a whole lot of us like Breno at his right tackle spot. He’s big, he’s nasty, he’s aggressive and at times he is a monster in the run game.
Indeed, Seattle made it to the NFC Divisional round with Breno in that RT spot and one could argue that his premium blocking against Washington in the Wild Card round was a big reason why Seattle even made it that far. But realistically he’s the teams’ most penalty prone player (at least on par with Brandon Browner on the other side of the ball) and at other times he’s very “all or nothing”. He reminds me of a less stupid and still poor man’s version of Richie Incognito in his hay day. Breno was one of the worst ranked linemen at the right tackle position among starters last season when he graded out.
On top of all that, Bowie had a stunningly impressive preseason showing strength, quickness and at times domination that I’m not sure anybody was expecting and there were many Hawk fans that just couldn’t wait for his opportunity. Sunday is that day.
It will not be easy and it will not be without mistake, but this is the first chance for us to see Bowie in true action. In case you’ve forgotten, the “kid” is a healthy 6-foot-4, 332 pounds, which means he’s got fourteen pounds on Breno and gives RW3 three fewer inches to have to overlook when he scans right. This could be a match made for the Emerald City and I think we’d all like to see this work out, even if you’re a Giacomini supporter.
The 12th man would like to say;
“Go get ’em Michael!”