Stacy: What to watch for in Seahawks’ preseason clash with Titans

The Seattle Seahawks will look to rebound from a gutting preseason loss with a game in Nashville against the Tennessee Titans.

A look at Seattle Seahawks’ top candidates to replace injured WR Bobo

No, we’re joking. It’s the preseason. But development and depth is still important, and that’s especially true at two positions in particular! So, let’s get to it by listing the three things we’re watching in Sunday’s matchup:

Can Jalen Milroe take a step forward?

The Seahawks’ backup quarterback battle between Drew Lock and former third-round pick Jalen Milroe feels less about figuring out who the immediate option would be this year if Sam Darnold were to go down — right now it would still appear to be the experienced Lock — and more about figuring out what kind of future and ceiling Milroe could have in Seattle.

Last weekend’s preseason opener was a mixed bag. Milroe had a stellar 20-yard scramble and a third-and-10 conversion on a pass to Montorie Foster Jr., but the offense otherwise felt muddied and failed to continue drives and convert in the red zone. Bump and Stacy’s Michael Bumpus had a few deeper takeaways upon further review, though.

“I felt like he tucked the ball and ran when he needed to, did complete some big third-down passes as well. I just want to see what he looks like (in a second game),” Bump said. “It wasn’t that bad. It really wasn’t. It’s hard for people to watch that game last week, the TV version, and come up with a definitive answer about how he played. You don’t get a true look into the bigger picture because that version just focuses on the football, it doesn’t see guys being covered downfield. And I think sometimes people don’t understand pass protection and where this guy should be blocking and whether the running back did his job. Everything’s connected. And this is no knock on people; you should be able to express yourself and cheer and boo. But Milroe played better than, I think, people realize.”

What we’re watching for in this one: smart use of scrambling and conversions, especially in the red zone.

Will a CB make noise?

The Seahawks plan to sign free agent Terrion Arnold and recently added ex-Cowboy Trevon Diggs, but the former won’t be eligible to play once he’s on the Commissioner’s Exempt List, while the latter is still returning to form after an offseason of not being with an NFL team. The Seahawks brought in both to add depth to a room that’s still without rookie Julian Neal (though Mike Macdonald told reporters Friday he’s close to making a return). So, the competition there remains a focus Sunday. Nehemiah Pritchett will presumably see plenty of work here, with Noah Igbinoghene likely to start, if he does play.

Which wide receiver makes his case?

Every training camp brings an intriguing receiver who, inevitably, doesn’t make the roster and causes some backlash and surprise. Remember the Kasen Williams saga?

This year’s preseason breakout star has been Montorie Foster Jr., a former Michigan State wideout and substitute teacher who signed with the team shortly before the Super Bowl and is in camp fighting for a spot on the 53-man roster. As impressive as his camp has been, those odds felt miniscule a few weeks ago. But with Friday’s season-ending knee injury to Jake Bobo came an opportunity for another receiver to make his case for a spot. Cody White feels like the leader here, but there’s room for others, like Foster and former draft pick Ricky White III, to make their case. Bump issued a word of caution though: big catches on Sunday won’t be the only thing coaches are watching.

“You’ve got to be good on special teams,” Bump said. “You’re not going to get much playing time. It’s about special teams, being where you’re supposed to be. And it’s hard for receivers because we’re not tacklers, but it’s about being able to contribute. And who knows, as the season progresses maybe you show more development and they start giving you more reps. But at this point, I think all these guys can play the (receiver) position, it’s about helping out on specials.”

Seattle Seahawks news and more

• Report: Seattle Seahawks sale to Khosla group clears a key last hurdle
• Former UW star, O’Dea alum Myles Gaskin retires from NFL
• Brock: Where Seattle Seahawks QB Jalen Milroe needs to improve

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