Seahawks Notebook: Metcalf and Lockett in for challenge vs Broncos

Sep 2, 2022, 10:00 AM

DK Metcalf celebrates a touchdown catch with Tyler Lockett on Jan. 2. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Seattle Sports

We’re inching closer to the Seahawks’ season Week 1 opener against the Denver Broncos. Stacy Rost of Seattle Sports 710 AM’s Bump and Stacy breaks down what you need to know.

Seen and heard: Broncos DBs bring unique challenge for Metcalf and Lockett

Shocking development over in Denver: a newly-acquired quarterback is helping his teammates. Of course he is! But Russell Wilson’s familiarity with the Seahawks, and with its top two receivers, adds another layer to prep for Broncos defenders (and another layer of difficulty for two of the Seahawks’ greatest weapons).

Salk: Why Russell Wilson gave Broncos a break he wouldn’t have given Seahawks

Cornerback Patrick Surtain II is getting some special insight from Wilson, giving his new quarterback’s history with Lockett and Metcalf.

“They’re both great perimeter receivers so it’s going to be a challenge for us,” Surtain told reporters Wednesday. “But, you know, we’re ready for the challenge…

“It’s definitely a benefit, especially (Wilson) playing with those two guys. I can pick his brain, gain a few tips from him, gain some insight from him, but also it just comes out in film study and preparation at the same time and getting yourself mentally and physically prepared for that week.”

One expert expecting improvement up front for Hawks

Will the offensive line take a step forward? It seems to have been the question entering every single offseason for a unit that has never broken into the top 10, much less the top five, of the league. For years Seattle’s struggles up front fueled debates about whether Wilson was being held back and might succeed more elsewhere.

There’s certainly plenty of intrigue around a pair of new faces. The team moved on from left tackle Duane Brown, who had been their best player since he was acquired via midseason trade back in 2017. But they replaced him with their highest draft pick since 2010, selecting Charles Cross at No. 9 overall as their new franchise tackle. On the right side, rookie Abe Lucas has been competing with veteran Jake Curhan (Pete Carroll withheld his decision of who would start during a press conference Tuesday).

Despite the Seahawks potentially starting a pair of rookies at either tackle spot, former offensive lineman and current NFL analyst Ray Roberts believes the unit could improve as a whole this year.

“The thing is, everyone is going to be right off the bat overanalyzing things,” Ray said during an interview Tuesday on Bump and Stacy, “but I think that by the third quarter of the season this is going to be a really good offensive line if the five stay healthy and play together. You have Charles Cross, who is an elite-level pass blocker. He has some room to make up in the run game. And then Abe Lucas is pretty solid all the way around. Obviously he’s going to be learning things. But by the third quarter of the season, this offensive line, especially if the run game is going, they’re going to be pretty darn good.

“I think it’ll be up to guys like (Gabe) Jackson and (Damien) Lewis to kind of take the leadership, (Austin) Blythe, his communication and familiarity with the offense is going to be important for the young guys. But these young guys have taken this on like business. It’s been business from Day 1. There’s no messing around, joking around. They’re getting to work and have a lot of production. And I love what Andy Dickerson is doing meeting them halfway with what they’re comfortable with but then also asking them to try something new, and I think that’s the best scenario for both of those dudes.”

Everyone loves a shoutout

What’s better than one young star? How about two. The Seahawks extended receiver DK Metcalf earlier this summer, and nearly a month later the Mariners ensured AL Rookie of the Year favorite Julio Rodriguez would be a Mariner for at least a decade.

Thursday brought a bit of a crossover event: the Mariners had a football-themed day during roadtrip in Detroit where players donned jerseys from their favorite teams (or, in the case of manager Scott Servais, a three-piece suit).