Last week, the Seattle Seahawks announced that Matt Flynn and Russell Wilson would receive the bulk of the playing time tonight while veteran QB Tarvaris Jackson would sit. Heading into the game, I basically assumed that the quarterback drama surrounding the Seahawks was typical “coach speak” from Pete Carroll with the starting nod eventually being handed over to Matt Flynn. Having watched the Seattle game this evening, I now see the problem the Seahawks have in naming a starter after watching rookie QB Russell Wilson play.
Flynn started the Seattle game this evening, and was solid in his debut. At one point, Flynn completed eight straight passes. He finished the evening completing 11 of 13 passes for 71 yards and an interception.
Russell Wilson entered the game and he brought a different sense of energy. He has a bigger arm than Flynn and the Seahawks changed up the play calling. Flynn was limited to short, precision routes while Russell threw downfield more often and was involved in more designed roll outs.
Wilson’s first touchdown was an impressive 39 yard throw to veteran Braylon Edwards. The Wisconsin product showcased some exceptional mobility, moving the chains and extending plays. Wilson rushed for 59 yards on three carries. 32 of those yards came on a touchdown run and he had another 23 yard scamper which was negated by a penalty.
Wilson’s knock has been his size. He is listed as 5′ 10″, after seeing him play for the first time this season, if he had come in listed over 6 foot, he would have gone much higher in the NFL Draft.
The quarterback situation in Seattle just got much more interesting. I would grade Russell out higher than Flynn tonight, but is he prepared to start in Week One of the regular season. I would doubt it, but I think the hand writing is on the wall for veteran Tarvaris Jackson.
Jackson is heading into the final year of his contract with the Seahawks and is slated to earn $4 million this season. The Seahawks handed Matt Flynn $10 million in guaranteed money this offseason and I can’t see the Seahawks keeping three quarterbacks on the roster this season.Personally, I think Jackson will become the odd man out as the team tries to eventually trade the veteran or outright release him.
Wilson’s performance was stellar this evening, but I would like to see him facing an opponent’s first team defense in order to see if he can replicate his performance from tonight.
Tagged with: Matt Flynn, Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks, Tarvaris Jackson
Sorry, comments are closed on this post.
Nice article, Eric.
Luckily, I watched the entire interview between Coach Gruden and all draft-candidate QBs before the draft and I thought RW would be gone in late the first round or early in the second round because Coach Gruden thinks RW could be like Drew Brees of the Saints.
RW has a very strong passion with football. He aslo very shrewed, poised, patient, good listener, and eager-to-learn and-play QB. He definitely will be a rising star in the NFL if Seahawks coaches give him a favorite go-to target.
What a position to be in. We’ve got 3 Q-backs who have NFL credentials. Jackson was very good at the end 2011. Flynn is a ?, can he lead a team? Wilson is a damn fine arm and the players love him. Pete better make a decision soon. I do like how the Hawks are going. Watch out 9′rs, we’re coming at cha.
So, in the second sentence you used the word basically twice: ” … I basically assumed that the quarterback drama surrounding the Seahawks was basically typical … “. Additionally, you wrote I “know” see the problem instead of I now see the problem. Doesn’t anyone edit this stuff??
Bernard,
Thanks for a visit from the grammar police. My day started yesterday at 6a.m. I watched 14 hours of pre-season football yesterday and wrote the article at 3am as I was watching a re-broadcast of the Browns-Lions game. I appreciate that there are still a few folks out there that can understand the written word without text messaging. My mistake.
Lighten up will ya Bernie!
I diaagree with the headline… Wilson did well, but was far from explosive. I’LL give him credit for the nice fake bootleg he ran in for a TD. It was a beautiful fake. The big TD pass he made is very misleading. It wasn’t a good pass at all. He underthrew that ball big-time and the veteran receiver Edwards, bailed Wilson’s ass out. It should have been an interception. Hat off to Edwards for that catch.
The other reason that Wilson wasn’t explosive should’ve been pretty obvious… He was playing against the Titans lousy 3rd and 4th string D. Any QB with a little talent is gonna look like an all-pro in that situation.
On the bright side, I do think Wilson has some talent. There’s a very good possibility that he can be a legit starter in the NFL. I believe the Seahawks need to dump Mr. Mediocrity (Jackson) now and roll with Flynn or Wilson. Both young QBs did some good things and give me hope that there may actually be a franchise QB in Seattle again. If I had to pick the starter right now, it’d be Flynn. Wilson isn’t ready yet. It’ll be interesting to see what he does the rest of preseason.
This afternoon, Colts QB Andrew Luck totaled 197 yards and two scores. As the first overall pick of the 2012 NFL Draft, Luck was very impressive. Russell put up the second best numbers of the opening weekend of the exhibition season of a rookie quarterback, as well as many veterans.