Seahawks vs Raiders, 3 things to watch

3: WHO’S THE RIGHT TACKLE

Tempting here to go with who wins the 5th WR job, but questions along the starting offensive line are more crucial. Bradley Sowell looks like the surefire starter on the left side, but at RT it’s Garry Gilliam vs. J’Marcus Webb.

For Gilliam, this must be disheartening. After starting all 16 games last year on the right side he was told he’s “the man” at LT and spent the entire offseason preparing to switch sides and take on that key role. An early injury to Webb prompted the team to move him back to his old spot, presumably because Sowell was much more comfortable on the left.

Since then, Gilliam’s performance has been less than overwhelming, while Webb has gotten healthier. Listening to coaches this week, it sounds like they’re looking at this spot hard. This should be Gilliam’s job to lose. He needs to play well tonight.

Meanwhile, Webb’s status may be start-or-bust. If he can’t beat out Gilliam, the Hawks may choose to keep another younger, cheaper player as a backup tackle. Webb finds himself in the odd position of fighting for both a starting job tonight and a place on the roster all together.

Next: Projecting the Seahawks 53 man roster

HONORABLE MENTION:

Other things I’ll be watching tonight are the depth roles on the defensive line, and the fight for the starting OLB spot Bruce Irvin used to hold. Cassius Marsh, Mike Morgan and Eric Pinkins have all had their moments there.