Denver Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett stashed away so many key players during the preseason that tallying them up
Corey Linsley Jersey required a calculator. Having multiple players patrolling the sidelines was designed for the sole purpose of keeping them fit and available for Week 1's action in Seattle, so to that end, the overall strategy worked out nicely.Denver's second-year cornerback Patrick Surtain II was one of the star players Hackett would absolutely not risk in the pursuit of meaningle s dividends. One collateral benefit to watching from the sideline was that it gave the former Alabama stand-out plenty time to focus on studying his opponents well ahead of the live bullets that'll be flying in his direction on September 12.On Wednesday, Surtain admitted that it
Dustin Hopkins Jersey was a little difficult sitting out during the preseason games, but he threw himself into helping the rookies make the team. That kind of veteran leadership doesn't ordinarily fall on such young shoulders.It was tough because mentallyjust the anticipation of thinking youre going to be out there, but of course, youre watching from the sidelines, Surtain said. But its also a great thing to sit back, visualize and help younger guys in making the team. Just
Joshua Kelley Jersey going out there and helping those guys play at a high level, that was the biggest thing.Hacketts only real gamble was trusting that his players will not be lacking in intensity when the rubber meets the road in Seattle after hanging out for nearly a month watching other people play football. For Surtain, it's particularly challenging, because he has Tyler Lockett and D.K. Metcalf to lock horns with come .To that end, Surtain revealed how he's got an inside man close at hand in Ru sell Wilson fresh off
Zion Johnson Jersey receiving if he wants the inside scoop on Seattle's dangerous pa s-catching duo.Scroll to ContinueIts definitely a benefit, especially him playing with those two guys, Surtain explained. I can pick his brain, gain a few tips from him and some insight from him, but also it just comes down to film study and preparation, at the same time, and getting yourself mentally and physically prepared for that week.Surtain is becoming well known throughout the league, not only for his natural abilities, but also for his dedication to studying the book on his opponents. It's a distinct po sibility that the Seahawks will trust their star pairing
Keenan Allen Jersey to go toe-to-toe with the Broncos' 22-year-old cover corner.Moving forward, should Surtain continue his rapid rise to prominence, teams might opt to start avoiding his side of the field. If that should happen over time, he acknowledges that losing the chance to pad his stats would hurt him slightly, but he'd take it as a backhanded compliment.Its both. Its a compliment, but also, its like, Dang, my stat sheet isnt going to be up there. Its also a compliment if another teams quarterback doesnt look your way, Surtain conceded. Obviously, youre doing something good. On the stat sheet, its not going to come
Gabe Nabers Jersey out the way you want it to come out, but at the end of the day, you know you did something well.
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