While the Seattle Seahawks were going through their final walk-through practice in preparation for Monday night’s game against Green Bay, the Denver Broncos’ coaches were in their third day of looking at film for this weekend’s game against the Seahawks.
While the Seahawks were braving the cold and the Packers’ best shots, many of the Broncos were sitting on a couch and doing a little more scouting.
And when the Seahawks’ players return to their practice facility today to look at film of the Broncos for the first time, Denver’s players and coaches may well feel like they know Seattle’s system like the backs of their hands.
If the Broncos have an obvious advantage in this Sunday’s game against the Seahawks, it’s that they have a lot more time to prepare. Denver (7-4) lost to Kansas City on Thanksgiving night, giving them nine days before this Sunday night’s game against the Seahawks. Seattle, meanwhile, has just five available days between games.
“It’s not a huge advantage,” Seahawks defensive tackle Craig Terrill said. “You might watch a little more film, but it shouldn’t make that big of a difference.”
Linebacker Julian Peterson said the biggest disadvantage is a lack of recovery time.
“It’s just getting less time for the nicks and bruises to heal,” he said. “They’ve got a little more time to rest up. But we’ve got a good medical staff and training staff, so we should be OK.”
The Seahawks don’t need much time to watch film of Denver’s quarterback, as rookie Jay Cutler is slated to make his first NFL start.
Hasselbeck banged up: Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck was scheduled to undergo an MRI today on his non-throwing hand, according to several reports.
Hasselbeck hurt his left hand during Monday’s loss to Green Bay, although the injury is not believed to be serious. The Seahawks did not practice Tuesday and Holmgren did not speak to the media. He’ll likely address the issue at his noon press conference today.
Working his way back: Safety Michael Boulware took an important step toward his eventual goal Monday night by seeing his first action on defense in five weeks.
Until the win over the Packers, Boulware had played only special teams following the team’s decision to give Jordan Babineaux his starting job.
“It was a long wait for me, and I was a little nervous at first,” said Boulware, who was on the field for less than a dozen plays while working in the dime package. “But after the first play, I got back to my old self and felt right at home.”
At the time of the benching, Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said that Boulware would be given an opportunity to eventually win his job back. Monday marked his first chance, although Boulware was not looking at it that way.
“This is just my opportunity to help this team win. And that’s the whole goal,” Boulware said. “Right now I’m just going to help out. Babineaux and the secondary are doing a great job. As long as they’re doing well, I’m happy.”
But it hasn’t been an easy four weeks for Boulware.
“Adversity can only make you stronger,” he said. “It’s definitely been a hard situation for me – both as a man and a football player.
“I’m learning to be more disciplined and not take as many risks. I’m definitely reading my keys a lot better, and I’m becoming a better all-around player. Obviously, it’s not my time yet, so I’m just being patient and trying to help my team out.”
Lots of weapons: The Seahawks have had seven different players lead them in receiving in at least one game since the beginning of the 2005 season.
D.J. Hackett was the latest leader, catching a team-high five passes in Monday night’s win over the Packers.
The last time Hackett caught more passes in a game than any of his teammates was in the 2005 finale, when he had four in a loss to the Packers.
“I’m usually the second or third read,” Hackett said. “So if they’re double-teaming Deion (Branch) or (Darrell) Jackson, he’s coming to me.”
Quick slants: Monday’s game marked only the third time in Seahawks history that a running back went over the 200-yard mark. Shaun Alexander has done it twice – 266 yards in a 2001 win over Oakland and 201 yards on Monday – while Curt Warner also accomplished the feat by rushing for 207 yards against Kansas City in 1983. … Alexander’s franchise-best 40 carries marked the 31st time he has broken a Seahawks record. … Holmgren twice opted to go for it on fourth-and-1 in the second half of Monday’s game, and he made it both times. “I didn’t want it to be a field goal game, necessarily, with Brett (Favre), because he’s too good,” Holmgren said, referring to the Packers’ quarterback. “I’ve seen him beat that too many times. So, I took the chance.”
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