BRADY HENDERSON

Cable: No competition for guards Carpenter, Sweezy

Jun 18, 2014, 12:16 PM | Updated: Nov 11, 2014, 10:26 am

There’s a question among some Seahawks observers as to who should be the team’s starting offensive guards.

Sweezy
Sweezy

But to offensive-line coach Tom Cable, whose opinion on the issue matters most, there isn’t much doubt about who it will be. James Carpenter and J.R. Sweezy have firm grips on the starting jobs at left and right guard, respectively, something Cable indicated when he joined 710 ESPN Seattle’s “Brock and Danny” on Tuesday and was asked whether either player is facing competition.

“I think it’s a competition to see which guy is the best,” Cable said. “Is it James? Is it J.R.? What a cool thing for our football team.”

Sweezy, a defensive tackle in college, shared time with John Moffitt as a rookie in 2012 then became the full-time starter after winning a training-camp competition last summer. Pass protection has been a common criticism of his game.

“J.R. … played so well last year,” Cable said. “I’ve heard, read things where people questioned that and that’s foolish if you know football. He may be one of the best young guards in the game and he’ll probably prove that this year and then move forward from there.”

Carpenter, meanwhile, is finally healthy. Behind him are the knee injuries that have plagued him to varying degrees in each of his first three seasons. He’s in noticeably better shape, too. That has led to an increase on confidence, according to Cable.

“He’s really playing at a much different level and pace than he’s played with thus far,” Cable said.

Follow Brady Henderson on Twitter @BradyHenderson.

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