What We Learned: Garry Gilliam’s spot on Seahawks’ offensive line is in limbo

Three things we learned:

1. Garry Gilliam’s spot on Seattle’s offensive line is in flux.

First he was going to take Russell Okung’s spot at left tackle. Then he missed time in the offseason training program after having a cyst removed from his knee. After less-than-rave reviews through the first week of training camp while he was stationed on the quarterback’s blindside, Gilliam was moved back to right tackle following an injury to J’Marcus Webb. On Thursday, there was the most tangible sign of disappointment from Seattle’s coaches. Gilliam was the one offensive lineman cited by coach Pete Carroll after the Seahawks’ preseason game against Minnesota as having given up pass-rush pressure. Well, Webb returns to practice this week, and Carroll specifically mentioned the opportunity he has to compete for his spot. Now, if that means Gilliam is moving back to left tackle, the Seahawks just sacrificed two weeks of practice time that Gilliam certainly could have used there. If that means Gilliam is competing with Webb at right tackle, it makes you wonder why the Seahawks changed course on moving Gilliam to the left side.

2. The Seahawks will have a running start to the regular season.

The Seahawks are a run-based offense. Only the Bills and Panthers rushed the ball more than Seattle last season. Through two preseason games, the Seahawks are averaging more than 5 yards per carry and more than 148 yards per game, which is outstanding when you consider that neither Thomas Rawls nor C.J. Prosise have played yet. Christine Michael has looked outstanding carrying the ball, and Seattle’s offensive line – for all the concerns there may still be about pass protection – is getting tremendous push up front.

3. Alex Collins is not going to be Seattle’s third-down back.

In two preseason games, he’s appeared to botch two assignments. In Kansas City, he failed to pick up a blitzer. Against Minnesota last week, it sure looked like Collins missed Russell Wilson’s audible at the line, leading to a second-quarter sack by linebacker Anthony Barr even after Wilson had identified the Vikings’ blitz. Throw in a pass he let slip through his hands after lining up at wide receiver, and Collins made a less-than-compelling case to be used in Seattle’s third-down and hurry-up offense.

Three things we’re still trying to figure out:

1. Is Jeremy Lane’s starting spot at right cornerback etched in stone?

This question is based on how well DeShawn Shead played as opposed to anything Lane has – or hasn’t – done. No one has had a better training camp than Shead, who saw time with the first-unit defense at right cornerback on Thursday against Minnesota. Now, some of this is a silly debate as both Shead and Lane will be on the field when Seattle uses its nickel defense, which can be as much as two-thirds of the snaps. Lane has been more than capable when he’s played outside, but Shead’s size might make him a better fit at that spot in early-down situations.

2. Should we be worried about Seattle’s offense?

Wilson has been under center for six series so far in Seattle’s two preseason games, and the Seahawks haven’t scored so much as a point on any of those drives. A red-zone interception unplugged Seattle’s scoring chance in the opener in Kansas City, but the Seahawks never got within 40 yards of the end zone against Minnesota. Five first-half possessions resulted in four punts and a turnover on downs. The preseason is certainly not a time to get hung up on the results, but the fact that 22 of Seattle’s 28 preseason points have been scored in the fourth quarter is enough to arch at least one eyebrow in suspicion.

3. Who’s going to be the Seahawks’ fifth receiver?

Kasen Williams and Kevin Smith were considered the top candidates having made the team last year, but both have been slowed by hamstring injuries. Williams played Thursday, but from the way Carroll talked about it, it sounds like he was sore coming out of the game. Rookie Kenny Lawler has been catching everything that comes his way, but he may not provide the special-teams help the team likes from its reserve receivers. Douglas McNeil would fit the bill in that regard, but he let a punt bounce into the end zone for a touchback against Minnesota, which was disappointing. That spot remains wide open.

Follow @dannyoneil