Nine questions for the Seahawks as they take on the Dallas Cowboys Thursday night

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Here is one quick question for each position group heading into the Seahawks third preseason game Thursday night at 7 p.m. against Dallas at CenturyLink Field.

QUARTERBACK

Can the No. 1 offense score a point tonight?

While how Trevone Boykin does remains the biggest individual quarterback story of the preseason, the more interesting one tonight with the starters expected to play at least a series into the third quarter is whether Russell Wilson and the number one offense can finish off a drive or two (or three or four). Wilson has led six drives in the preseason. They have ended in four punts, one on downs and one on an interception in the end zone. Overall, the number one offense has 177 yards on 39 carries, a not-too-sterling 4.5-yard per play average (though as is always the case with small sample size, take out one thing and it can change a bit, and in this case, remove a mistake-filled six-play one-yard drive against the Vikings and the average is 5.4 per play, which wouldnt be too far off a normal pace). Simply put, the number one offense would like to score some points tonight.

RUNNING BACKS

Which backup tailback will emerge?

Thomas Rawls and Christine Michael are set as Seattles top two tailbacks and if healthy its hard to imagine that C.J. Prosise wont be the third-down back. But after that? It seems wide open between Alex Collins, Zac Brooks and Troymaine Pope, the Cinderella Story of training camp so far. Michael may have moved to a point where the Seahawks dont need to see him as much and the Seahawks could give some of the others more looks with the first-team line tonight.

RECEIVER

Which receiver outside of the top four emerges?

Its pretty much the same story here where Doug Baldwin, Tyler Lockett, Paul Richardson and Jermaine Kearse seem set with a bevy of others still competing for the final spot or two. Kasen Williams and Kevin Smith have been out with hamstring injuries opening the door for the likes of Kenny Lawler and Antwan Goodley to impress the last couple of weeks. Lawler in particular could take a big step toward a roster spot with a good showing tonight.

TIGHT END

Will Tanner McEvoy earn a way on the roster as a tight end?

With Nick Vannett out indefinitely with a high ankle sprain and the team still easing in Jimmy Graham, the Seahawks could have just Luke Willson and Brandon Williams as tight ends for the opener (assuming Williams makes the roster and they keep four). The signing of Will Tukuafu who after a week of practice will play tonight helps offset the blocking needs of that spot some, so maybe Seattle could get away with it. But the Seahawks have also been trying McEvoy at tight end this week to help with the depth at the spot and showing he could pull that off could get the undrafted rookie free agent out of Wisconsin on the roster.

OFFENSIVE LINE Will JMarcus Webb play any left tackle?

The veteran will make his preseason debut with some snaps at right tackle. But he could also play on the left side after practicing there this week and how he does there could go a long way toward determining how the tackle spots line up.

DEFNSIVE LINE

Can the Seahawks get more of a pass rush going?

Its hard to make too much of preseason stats, but its worth noting that the Seahawks have just one sacks, that coming by Frank Clark in the third quarter last week. Seattle should get a half of Tony Romo, and likely more of Michael Bennett on the field. It was Bennett who said this week that he thinks the pass rush is the one area where the team needs to show some improvement before the preseason, so he should have more of a chance tonight to do something about it.

LINEBACKER

Is anyone making a run at Brock Coyles backup MLB job?

Coyle has been the backup to Bobby Wagner the last two years. He sat out last week with an injury, though, allowing former WSU Cougar Kache Palacio to get plenty of playing time Palacio and Steve Longa have each had some good moments in camp and games. Coyle should be back for the Dallas game and potentially facing a stiffer challenge for his spot.

SECONDARY

How will the backup cornerbacks fare against Dallas passing attack?

The Cowboys have been the most prolific offense in the NFL preseason due in large part to the play of rookie QB Dak Prescott, who has thrown for four touchdowns and has a perfect 158.3 passer rating, completing 22-of-27 overall. That should be a good test for the likes of Tharold Simon, Marcus Burley, Tye Smith and others who are still trying to secure their roster spots.

SPECIAL TEAMS

How will Nolan Frese handle long snaps?

The rookie had a high one and a low one among his snaps last week, the high one contributing to a missed field goal. The Seahawks tried linebacker Kevin Pierre-Louis at snapper one day in practice this week and tackle Bradley Sowell also said he was taking more snaps. For now, the job still appears to belong to Frese but the team will obviously want to see more consistency.

Source: http://www.seattletimes.com/sports/seahawks/nine-questions-for-the-seahawks-as-they-take-on-the-dallas-cowboys-thursday-night/