Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks: 5 things to watch

Who: Denver Broncos at Seattle Seahawks

What: Preseason Week 1

When: 8 p.m. MDT Friday, Aug. 14

Where: CenturyLink Field, Seattle

TV: KTVD (Ch. 20); NFL Network (blacked out in Rocky Mountain area)

Radio: KOA (850 AM); The Fox (103.5 FM)

Five Things to Watch

• Kubiak in charge. Yeah, it’s only preseason and it’s not like he he’s never donned a coaching headset here before, but this will be Broncos Country’s first in-game glimpse of new coach Gary Kubiak’s version of the Orange and Blue. A good deal of the offensive plays are sure to result in some fan flashbacks, but we’ll also be very interested to see the intensity the Broncos carry into the contest as the Seahawks typically bring it – actual games that count or not (Remember the 40-10 Seattle exhibition win two seasons ago that inspired a post-game lecture from John Elway?)
• Brock in charge. Peyton Manning – likely along with several other key veterans – is (wisely) being given the game off to help preserve his 39-year-old arm and legs for the more meaningful tussles to come, meaning that 24-year-old Brock Osweiler will get a rare starting call. Need we be reminded that “Oz” is entering a contract season which might also be the final one for Manning? Let’s see how he commands the first-team unit and the new playbook in one of the league’s most inhospitable environments.
• Reconstructed O-line. Two true rookies (LT Ty Sambrailo and LG Max Garcia), another virtual first-year player (C Matt Paradis) and a journeyman (RT Ryan Harris) are slated to join RG Louis Vasquez on the Orange and Blue’s starting offensive line. Even card-carrying Broncos Country diehards shouldn’t need any advanced metrics or in-depth outside analysis to grasp the idea that this is by far the team’s biggest area of concern. And not to mention facing the Seattle D in the first test out of the gate.
• Ray’s debut. First-round pick Shane Ray’s foot issue is coming along fine, but he has had a rather quiet camp so far. Maybe he’s just waiting for some guys in different-colored jerseys to go up against. In any case, the Broncos are counting on Ray with DeMarcus Ware not getting any younger, and a lot of eyes will be on No. 56 Friday night.
• Health, health, health. The Broncos already have lost starting left tackle Ryan Clady and third-round pick Jeff Heuerman to season-ending injuries so far this offseason, and now the physical play gets turned up a notch or three. It’s fifth on this list, but preseason priority No. 1 for any NFL squad always is staying healthy.