Seattle Seahawks: Left guard is a bigger problem than we want to admit

The Seattle Seahawks have a problem brewing, and it isn’t the absence of strong safety Kam Chancellor. There is a position on offense without a starter, and there is no one making any attempt to claim the spot.

Alvin Bailey was essentially handed the job at left guard this offseason. The only competition the Seahawks brought in for him was a rookie that was changing positions from OT to OG. All they asked was that Bailey lost some weight and came into camp in shape. He did that, so what happened?

It is tough to say what exactly the problem is. The Seahawks don’t spend much time in practice in full pads, so there isn’t a “big picture” problem we can look for. Whatever little details Tom Cable has asked him to work on are the issue. Cable isn’t seeing what he wants to see.

And thus we’ve had a parade of other guys get a chance to try and claim the spot. Rookie Terry Poole, the expected challenger to Bailey, has done so well the team moved him off the position without letting him challenge for the job.

Rookies Kristjan Sokoli and Mark Glowinski have been given a shot to enter the competition, but neither did enough to remain in the equation. Pete Carroll said yesterday that they both of them have done some good things, but they aren’t picking up the zone blocking scheme fast enough to be ready to play by Week 1.

Yesterday and today they gave Keavon Milton a shot. If you don’t recognize that name, don’t feel bad. He’s a 3rd year player they signed off Cleveland’s practice squad near the end of last season. There isn’t much reason for optimism that he’ll be any better than Bailey or the rookies.

Tom Cable is clearly just throwing things at the wall and seeing what sticks. So far nothing has, and he’s running out of projectiles.

With the first preseason game coming this Friday, Bailey will likely get the start. He might not have done what was necessary to keep the job, but no one else has taken it from him either.

Luckily, the battle at center could be over soon. Once that battle is decided, the loser will almost certainly get a shot at LG. Both of the guys competing at center have done well, much better than any of the guys competition at LG.

Next: Training camp notes from Monday August 10th

More from 12th Man Rising

Home/Seattle Seahawks News