Seahawks vs Cowboys: 5 battles to watch
By Nick Drage
The Quarterback Battle
Most NFL fans will looking at Tony Romo and Dak Prescott. While there’s no battle here, there are questions over Romo being able to stay healthy for the full season, and whether Prescott is a viable backup in his rookie season.
Similarly for the Seahawks the battle should be between the two current backups to Russell Wilson: Trevone Boykin, a facsimile of the starter fresh out of Texas Christian University; and Jake Heaps, a standout when playing for a local high school and a definite fan favourite.
Boykin has a lot more going for him at the moment, and is almost assured of making the team. In the first game against the Chiefs, Boykin led an all too familiar Seahawks comeback. Boykin finished the game with a 37 yard touchdown pass to Tanner McEvoy with no seconds left on the clock, and almost achieved a similar feat against the Vikings. In contrast, Heaps only saw action for one series against Minnesota. As far as the coaches are concerned Jake may already be heading for the practice squad.
If Boykin has won, what’s the battle? The Quarterback Battle is Boykin against the rest of the NFL. With veteran QBs likely to become available as teams cut their rosters down to 75 players, will he be usurped by a surplus veteran, someone like Zach Mettenberger, Kellen Moore, Matt Barkley or similar?
If he hasn’t shown enough, will his spot be taken by a returning Tarvaris Jackson? At fullback the team couldn’t find a healthy or sufficiently skilled replacement for Will Tukuafu, having tried many players before signing him; with Boykin having provided some outstanding highlights in the first two preseason games, will he secure the second string spot for the team, or will a veteran QB get the call and Boykin be on the practice squad?
Talking of fullbacks…
Next: Running backs