Seahawks vs Cowboys: 5 battles to watch

The Battle at Tackle

This game should see the return of J’Marcus Webb at Right Tackle, with Garry Gilliam moving back to Left Tackle. Webb was signed as a free agent from the Oakland Raiders, but three days before the first preseason game he sprained his right knee. Webb practiced with team this week, and should be fit; and as the highest paid offensive lineman on the team he will be expected to play accordingly.

Webb’s return should demote Bradley Sowell to the second team, but Webb hasn’t impressed the beat reporters during practice. Gilliam started all of last season at Right Tackle, and Sowell has said he’s most comfortable at Left Tackle, as that’s where he started at college and in his NFL career.

But as this is Tom Cable and the Seahawks, Webb will probably spend some time at both Left and Right Tackle. Looking over the speculation by pundits and beat reporters ahead of the game, they aren’t sure which side Webb will play, and which two players will be the starters out of those three contenders.

The interior of the line has been a pleasant surprise, we should see Mark Glowinski, Justin Britt, and Germain Ifedi from left to right as the starters. Ifedi had a minor injury earlier in the week; if the team decides to rest him I expect to see Jahri Evans step up to replace him.

Overall this isn’t an Offensive Line that will be the centrepiece of the offense, but they just have to be good enough for the talent around them to have time to do their work. So far the linemen are looking far more impressive than they did last year, and are generally looking a lot better as a unit. Watch those tackles for an indication of which two players will complete the starting five.

Next: The defensive line