Seattle is expected to start two rookies at offensive tackle Monday night against the Broncos in first-round left tackle Charles Cross and third-round right tackle Abraham Lucas.
But don’t expect the Broncos’ players to dig into their Mississippi State and Washington State tape, respectively.
“I don’t care about college,” defensive end Dre’Mont Jones said before practice Thursday. “Even if they show it (in the meeting room), I’ll look at it, but it’s a different ballgame.”
Cross was selected with the ninth overall pick the Broncos sent to Seattle in the Russell Wilson trade.
Jones said the Broncos have a “pretty good assessment,” of Cross and Lucas off their preseason play.
When Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett was Jacksonville’s offensive coordinator in 2017, the Jaguars started rookie Cam Robinson at left tackle.
“Rookies are always a doozy when they come in,” Hackett said. “They’ve had a certain level of speed they’ve gotten to go against (in college) and it’s limited. I think (as a coach), you’re going to try and do everything you can to help them through the play design. And if not, they’re going to have to execute.”
Defensively, Hackett said of facing the rookie tackles: “We’re going to try and test everybody.”
Griffith practices. Inside linebacker Jonas Griffith was a full practice participant, his first on-field team work since dislocating his elbow against Dallas on Aug. 13.
Limited were inside linebacker Josey Jewell (calf), right tackle Billy Turner (knee), outside linebacker Randy Gregory (shoulder) and receiver KJ Hamler (knee).
Practice resumes. The Broncos went through their first regular season practice after having five of the past six days off.
“A lot of excitement to have the season finally be here,” Hackett said. “For us, it’s about controlling that excitement and understand we’re allowed to be fired up, but it’s a marathon.”
Footnotes. According to Bet Online, quarterback Russell Wilson’s MVP odds have gone from 20-1 (Feb. 25) to 12-1 (March 14) to 16-1 (May 25) to the current number of 14-1, tied with Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow for fifth on the board. Buffalo’s Josh Allen is the favorite at 7-1, followed by the Chargers’ Justin Herbert and Kansas City’s Patrick Mahomes (8-1) and Tampa Bay’s Tom Brady (10-1). … Before practice, Hackett (via conference call) and Wilson (via Zoom) met with the Seattle media. The Seahawks declined to make coach Pete Carroll and a player available to Denver media. … Hackett on Seahawks running back Rashaad Penny: “First and foremost, we have to be able to tackle. He can break tackles and you have to be sure you get two hands on him and wrap up.” … Safety Justin Simmons on being voted as one of five team captains: “It’s the biggest honor.”
