Huard: Seahawks’ Garry Gilliam has improved since reclaiming RT job
Jan 5, 2017, 10:47 AM | Updated: 10:49 am
Garry Gilliam lost his starting job at right tackle in November and reclaimed it in Week 16. (AP)
(AP)
Garry Gilliam has had an up and down 2016 season, but Brock Huard thinks the Seahawks’ right tackle is quietly playing his best football right now.
Gilliam began the season as the starter but was benched in November in favor of Bradley Sowell then reclaimed the job two weeks ago. In Wednesday’s “Blue 42″ segment, Huard said Gilliam played as well as anyone in the Seahawks’ regular-season finale against San Francisco.
As a group, Seattle’s offensive line was inconsistent throughout 2016, contributing to the team finishing the regular season ranked 18th in points and 12th in yards while allowing 42 sacks, the sixth-most in the NFL. Center Justin Britt has arguably been the best and most consistent member of Seattle’s offensive line this season. Gilliam, meanwhile, might have best epitomized the line’s struggles.
Huard said Gilliam has been tasked with some difficult assignments throughout the season, including having to block the three-technique defensive tackle lined up across from right guard Germain Ifedi. Said Huard: “I think they’ve put him in some compromising spots, but when he’s got someone head up on him, he’s blocking him.”
Huard said Tom Cable and Seattle’s coaching staff put Gilliam on notice with his demotion and that he has responded in turn.
“Garry Gilliam got benched, Garry Gilliam got demoted, Garry Gilliam got questioned about whether or not he wanted to play this game at this level and play that spot with the nastiness that I think Tom and crew require,” Huard said. “… And since he came back after that sitting, he has been better. Quietly, he has been better than he was before he got sat down and that’s a compliment to him, to his resolve and to his ability to get off the mat and go and respond.”
