Seahawks, Colts will sit stars

INDIANAPOLIS – Now Seattle and Indianapolis can both treat this game like a preseason contest.

The teams meet tonight, eight months after the Seahawks clinched home-field advantage in the playoffs by beating a junior-varsity version of the Colts in a late regular-season matchup.

This time there’s nothing at stake and, not surprisingly, neither team is expected to risk much in the preseason game.

“I don’t know for sure, but we’re looking for about 20 to 25 plays out of our first offensive group,” Colts coach Tony Dungy said. “We definitely want to get both groups a little more time than the first game, maybe they’ll play into the second quarter.”

Consider that progress.

Two-time MVP Peyton Manning managed to talk interim coach Jim Caldwell into letting him play a whole quarter in last December’s game at Seattle – longer than Dungy scripted. Caldwell was filling in for Dungy, who was in Tampa, Fla., following the death of his oldest son.

Tonight’s game may not appear much different.

Gone is Edgerrin James, who like Manning, played about one quarter in December. Veteran backup Dominic Rhodes and first-round draft pick Joseph Addai are vying to replace the franchise’s career rushing leader, and the Colts want both backs to get enough work against the defending NFC champs to make an evaluation.

“We know everybody’s concerned about that, but we know those guys can run the ball,” Dungy said. “What the backs have to do is distinguish themselves doing all the other things.”

Seattle also has embraced the preseason experience.

For the Seahawks, quarterback Matt Hasselbeck is expected to play just two series.

“I want him (Hasselbeck) to get a certain number of plays, a certain number of throws.” Seahawks coach Mike Holmgren said.

Shaun Alexander, who ended Manning’s two-year reign as MVP last season, won’t be on the field much more than Hasselbeck. Tight end Jerramy Stevens won’t play at all after tearing the meniscus in his left knee during Thursday’s practice. He’s expected to miss six weeks.

So it may be tough recognizing the teams that combined for an NFL-record 25 wins heading into their last matchup.

But this week’s‘ game also gives both teams a chance to look at some new things.

Colts cornerbacks Jason David, who played at Washington State University, Nick Harper and Marlin Jackson are fighting for the two starting jobs, and Gilbert Gardner must prove he can replace David Thornton as the starting strongside linebacker. David may not play after missing several days of practice this week with a groin injury. As many as 15 players are expected to sit out for the Colts.

And the Seahawks are trying to fill a huge void left by the departure of Pro Bowl guard Steve Hutchinson in free agency. So they’ll be taking a close look at guard Rob Sims and center Chris Spencer.

“I think right now we’ve got to get the boys used to being called ‘the man,’ and let them know that they’re good players,” Alexander said. “Confidence does a crazy thing to people, and once our linemen get it, then they’re going to be OK.”

But wins and losses in August have meant little to these teams.

The Colts lost all five of their preseason games last year before opening the regular season with 13 straight victories. Seattle was 2-2 and finished 13-3. Both finished as their conference’s top seeds in the playoffs.

The Seahawks lost 13-3 to Dallas last week, and are just 2-6 in preseason games at Indy.

“If you look at our record last year, it kind of tells you the story,” Manning said. “Sure you’d like to win every game, but last year proves that getting a lot good work done is the important thing, and winning is not a real big factor.”