On this date: Russell Wilson plays his way into QB competition
A look at a memorable moment in Seahawks history that occurred on May 13:
2012: At the conclusion of the team’s three-day rookie minicamp, coach Pete Carroll announces that Russell Wilson will join the competition for the starting quarterback job with free-agent addition Matt Flynn and incumbent starter Tarvaris Jackson. “Here’s what I’m going to say about it, he’s going to be in the competition,” Carroll said of Wilson, who had been selected in the third round of the NFL Draft. “He’s shown us enough, he’s in the competition.” Wilson ended up not only winning the competition, Jackson was traded to the Bills last September and Flynn was traded to the Raiders this April.
Backup QBs on the move
The QB carrousel in the NFL has been working overtime, especially when it comes to backups.
While the moves of Alex Smith (49ers to Chiefs), Carson Palmer (Raiders to Cardinals) and Matt Flynn (Seahawks to Raiders) into likely starting jobs have generated the most interest, even more interesting is the activity when it comes to the No. 2 spot at the No. 1 position.
Check out these teams that have made moves with their backups:
Team Backup was Backup is
Cardinals Kevin Kolb/John Skelton Drew Stanton
Falcons Luke McCown Dominique Davis
Buffalo Tyler Thigpen Tarvaris Jackson
Bengals Bruce Gradkowski John Skelton/Josh Johnson
Browns Colt McCoy Jason Campbell
Bears Jason Campbell Josh McCown
Colts Drew Stanton Matt Hasselbeck
Chiefs Brady Quinn Chase Daniel
Jets Greg McElroy David Garrard
Vikings Joe Webb Matt Cassel
Saints Chase Daniel Luke McCown
Steelers Charlie Batch Bruce Gradkowski
49ers Alex Smith Colt McCoy
Seahawks Matt Flynn To be determined
Buccaneers Dan Orlovsky To be determined
Titans Matt Hasselbeck Ryan Fitzpatrick
Which teams improved themselves the most in all this shuffling? Don Banks at SI.com weighs in with his rankings, which have Fitzpatrick, Cassel, Hasselbeck, Garrard and Campbell in the Top 5 – and in that order.
Josh Portis signs two-year deal
Quarterback Josh Portis has signed a two-year deal with the Seahawks, the team announced this evening.
The Seahawks are familiar with Portis, who originally signed as an undrafted rookie free agent out of California University (Pa.) on July 26, 2011.
The 6-foot-3, 211-pound Portis spent his rookie year on Seattle’s 53-man roster behind Tarvaris Jackson and Charlie Whitehurst. He saw action in the preseason and was active for one game during the regular season (10/23) when Jackson could not play due to injury, serving as a backup to Whitehurst in a loss to the Cleveland Browns.
Portis was released during the Seahawks’ final roster cut down in September before the 2012 season and then added to the team’s practice squad, where he spent time until he was released after the team’s Week 12 game against the Miami Dolphins. That move left Russell Wilson and Matt Flynn as the only two quarterbacks on Seattle’s roster.
Now, two days after Flynn has been traded to the Oakland Raiders, Wilson and Portis makeup the current players at the quarterback position for Seattle.
Seahawks draft choices set, for now
Seahawks general manager John Schneider operates in the club’s “War Room” during the 2012 NFL Draft
The league has released the order of picks for next month’s NFL Draft after the compensatory selections were awarded this week.
The Seahawks still have 10 draft choices, just not the same 10 they had a few weeks ago. Here’s a look at the team’s selections:
First round (no pick) – traded the 25th selection overall to the Vikings in last week’s deal to acquire receiver/returner/runner Percy Harvin.
Second round – 26th pick in the round, 56th overall
Third round – 25th pick in the round, 87th overall
Fourth round – 26th pick in the round, 123rd overall
Fifth round (two picks) – fifth pick in the round, 138th overall, which was acquired from the Raiders in the 2011 trade of linebacker Aaron Curry; 25th pick in the round, 158th overall.
Sixth round – 26th pick in the round, 194th overall
Seventh round (four picks) – 14th pick in the round, 220th overall, which was acquired from the Saints in last year’s trade of linebacker Barrett Ruud; 25th pick in the round, 231st overall; 35th and 36th picks in the round, 241st and 242nd overall, which are compensatory picks. The Seahawks had the eighth pick in the round, 214th overall, from the Bills in last year’s trade of quarterback Tarvaris Jackson, but they sent it to the Vikings as part of the trade for Harvin.
On this date: Boulware INT pushes Seahawks past Vikings
On 12-12-12, here’s a look at some memorable moments in Seahawks history that occurred on Dec. 12:
1976: The Seahawks close their inaugural season with a 27-10 loss to the Eagles at the Kingdome that leaves them 2-12, which will be the worst record in franchise history until the 1992 team goes 2-14. Steve Largent catches seven passes for 98 yards and the Seahawks’ only touchdown.
1982: Jim Zorn runs for one touchdown and passes for another, while Steve Largent catches eight passes for 111 yards, in a 20-14 victory over the Bears at the Kingdome.
1993: The Raiders take a 27-9 lead in Los Angeles and then hold on for a four-point victory as Rick Mirer runs for one touchdown and passes for another in the final 6½ minutes.
1999: The Seahawks take their first lead of the game on a Jon Kinta-to-Derrick Mayes touchdown pass in the third quarter, but John Carney kicks two fourth-quarter field goals to give the Chargers a 19-16 victory at the Kingdome. The loss is the third in a four-game losing streak that follows the Seahawks’ 8-2 start in their first season under Mike Holmgren.
2004: Josh Brown kicks field goals in the third and fourth quarters to give the Seahawks a 27-23 victory over the Vikings in Minnesota. Rashad Moore recovered a fumble at the Vikings’ 26-yard line to set up Brown’s fourth quarter field goal and Michael Boulware then intercepts a Randy Moss pass in the end zone to ice the win. Before the late heroics by the defense, Matt Hasselbeck passes for three touchdowns, Darrell Jackson catches 10 passes for 135 yards and Shaun Alexander runs for 112 yards.
2011: The Seahawks pick up win No. 2 in what will become a three-game winning streak with a 30-13 victory over the Rams in a “Monday Night Football” game at CenturyLink Field. Michael Robinson gets the rout rolling by returning a Doug Baldwin blocked punt for a touchdown and before it’s over Tarvaris Jackson passes for one TD and runs for another, while Marshawn Lynch rushes for 115 yards and a TD and Steven Hauschka kicks three field goals. Linebacker K.J. Wright leads the defensive effort with eight tackles, a sack, two other tackles for losses and a tipped pass.
On this date: Brown kicks the Cowboys
A look at some memorable moments in Seahawks history that occurred on Oct. 23:
(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
2005: Josh Brown kicks a 50-yard field goal as time expires in a 13-10 win over the Cowboys. Jordan Babineaux sets up the game-winner by intercepting a Drew Bledsoe pass and returning it to the Dallas 32-yard line. The win is No. 3 in what becomes a club-record 11-game winning streak.
2011: Red Bryant blocks two field goals, but the Seahawks still fall to the Browns 6-3 in Cleveland. The Seahawks are forced to play without leading rusher Marshawn Lynch (back spasms), QB Tarvaris Jackson (torn pectoral) and center Max Unger (foot). The defense holds the Browns to a pair of field goals, despite being on the field for almost 43 minutes.
Jackson trade official
The trade sending quarterback Tarvaris Jackson to the Bills for an undisclosed draft choice is official.
The Seahawks and Bills began working on the deal over the weekend, but it was not finalized until this morning.
Jackson started 14 games last season, his only one with the Seahawks, but became expendable after the Seahawks drafted Russell Wilson and signed veteran Matt Flynn in free agency. Coach Pete Carroll announced Sunday night that Wilson has won the starting job and Flynn will serve as his backup.
“Tarvaris, all that we’ve ever seen from him is that he’s a great competitor and a perfect guy to have on your team,” Carroll said. “Because of our situation and the opportunity with the guys that we have, he deserves a chance to be playing. Buffalo came after him and I hope it’s a good thing for him.
“He did a great job for us and provided everything you’d ever want to see out of a competitor on your team. We think the world of him.”
Monday cyber surfing: Wilson to start; Jackson traded; Roster reduced
Good morning, and here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, August 27, after a busy weekend that started with the team moving to 3-0 in preseason play with a 44-14 victory in Kansas City Friday night.
Last night, head coach Pete Carroll held a conference call with reporters. The biggest piece of news to come from the call was that rookie quarterback Russell Wilson will be the starter for the team’s final preseason game against the Oakland Raiders, as well as the team’s regular season opener against the Arizona Cardinals on Sept. 9. Carroll also announced that last year’s starting quarterback Tarvaris Jackson is set to be traded to the Buffalo Bills, a move that should be finalized today. Finally, the team confirmed several transactions as they prepare to reduce the size of the roster from it’s current 90-man limit to the NFL mandated 75-player maximum by Monday at 1 p.m. PT.
Danny O’Neil of the Seattle Times has his story on Wilson being named the starter, “Wilson is who everyone is going to be talking about in Seattle this week as Carroll made official what became fairly obvious: Wilson’s performance this month earned him the starting job ahead of Matt Flynn. ‘It was a legitimate competition as we said from the beginning,’ Carroll said of Wilson. ‘With the opportunity he’s taken advantage of, he deserves to start.’ “
O’Neil also has a look at Sunday’s transactions, “Owens was released Sunday, one of 12 players the team let go as it prepared to trim its roster to the 75-player limit by the NFL deadline of noon Monday. Jackson is expected to join the Bills, though that move won’t be finalized until Buffalo reaches an agreement with Jackson on modifying his contract. ‘He deserves a chance to be playing so Buffalo came after him,’ Carroll said of Jackson. ‘I hope it’s a good thing for him. He did a great job for us and he proved everything you’d ever want to see out of a competitor.’ “
Lastly from O’Neil, he has a rookie report after Friday night’s victory, including a note on 2012 fourth-round draft pick Robert Turbin, “Wilson wasn’t the only rookie who got his first start on Friday in Kansas City. So did Turbin, who is Wilson’s roommate. And with Marshawn Lynch sitting out the game, Turbin showed that Seattle does indeed have more depth at that position than it did last year when the offense went belly-up after Lynch unexpectedly was scratched from Seattle’s game at Cleveland. The most telling part of Turbin’s performance was those 50 yards he racked up on three carries in the touchdown drive to begin the second half.”
Jerry Brewer of the Seattle Times comments on Wilson winning the starting quarterback job, “Now, the entire team knows that everyone gets a fair shake. Do you realize how easy it would have been for the Seahawks just to go with Flynn? He’s a veteran. The Seahawks signed him to a three-year contract during free agency that guarantees him $10 million. Most of the time, in professional sports, it’s as simple as that. But Carroll and Schneider kept an open mind, even though owner Paul Allen now must be wondering why they needed to invest so much in Flynn. But the Seahawks still aren’t paying much for their quarterbacks, considering it is the most important position in sports. Flynn was worth the investment, and he was playing well enough to be a starter. Wilson just jumped higher, in essence. Now, the Seahawks have two starting-caliber quarterbacks, which is a huge bonus in the NFL. Almost as important, though, is the statement. There shouldn’t be a player on this team who doesn’t grind. There’s always opportunity in Seattle. If you’re hungry and prove yourself, Carroll will find playing time for you.”
Following Friday night’s victory, Steve Kelley of the Seattle Times labeled Russell Wilson’s first starting performance as ‘amazing’, but still believes veteran free-agent acquisition Matt Flynn is the team’s best bet at quarterback, “Ask yourself which is more impressive: Wilson’s three exhibition games or Flynn’s two NFL starts where he threw for 731 total yards and nine touchdowns? And which games were more relevant, Wilson’s three games in August, or Flynn’s regular-season starts against New England and Detroit? Flynn doesn’t have the wow factor that Wilson has. But he excels at the subtleties of the game. And I think ultimately, as good as Wilson has been this month, the Seahawks would win more games with Flynn than Wilson.”
Eric Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune has his story on the Seahawks’ flurry of moves and announcements from Sunday, “Rookie Russell Wilson will be the starting quarterback when the Seahawks open the season Sept. 9 at Arizona. Wilson also will start the Seahawks’ final exhibition game Thursday against Oakland. ‘He’s earned this job,’ Carroll said. ‘It was a legitimate competition like we said from the beginning. He is so prepared he just does not seem like a first-year player. He seems like he’s been around.’ “
John Boyle of the Everett Herald has his take on Wilson being named the starter, “There were so many reasons for Russell Wilson not to win the Seahawks’ starting quarterback job. Wilson is a rookie, and a third-round pick at that. He’s short by quarterback standards, and he was competing for the starting nod against last year’s starter, Tarvaris Jackson, and big(ish)-money free-agent signing Matt Flynn. Yep, there were plenty of reasons not to give Wilson the job. Well, except one little detail that got in the way — Wilson, that not-quite-5-foot-11, third-round pick, is the Seahawks’ best quarterback. And that’s why Pete Carroll announced Sunday night that Wilson will start the season opener in Arizona next month…And as corny as Carroll’s ‘always compete’ mantra can sound at times, and much as we might like to poke fun at frequency with which he talks about competition, this decision serves a very good reminder that all of that talk is very, very real.”
Tim Booth of the Associated Press has his story on Wilson, “Wilson has been a dynamic star during the preseason. For the first two weeks, his performance came against backups during the second halves of victories over Tennessee and Denver. But what Wilson displayed during those two halves were enough for Carroll to give him the start Friday night against Kansas City. Wilson’s response: 13-of-19 passing for 185 yards, two touchdowns and a passer rating of 134.8. And if he didn’t show enough with his arm, Wilson added another 58 yards rushing. His total preseasons numbers thus far are eye-popping: 35 of 52 (67.3 percent) for 464 yards, five touchdowns and a league-leading 119.4 QB rating. Wilson’s only preseason mistake was throwing a careless end zone interception against Tennessee. Otherwise, Wilson’s been almost perfect.”
The staff at SportsPressNW.com has their story on Sunday’s news.
Curtis Crabtree of 950 KJR AM has his report on Sunday’s moves and announcements.
Doug Farrar of YahooSports.com comments on Wilson being named the starting signal-caller, “Considered by many to be too short to play the quarterback position in the NFL at 5-foot-10 5/8, Wilson looked like a savvy veteran through his rookie minicamp, through practices, and through three preseason games in which he tabulated the league’s highest passer rating at 119.4. Wilson looked especially good against Kansas City’s first-team defense in a 44-14 thumping Friday night, and his total numbers — 35 of 52 for 464 yards, five touchdowns and one interception — were simply manifestations of the confidence he brought onto the field. It was the same confidence Wilson instilled in others. ‘He’s never shown that he’s anything but a quarterback, in every sense of the word,’ Carroll said. ‘The command he has, just handling the huddle and the situations — it’s the kind of work ethic you hope your quarterback has. The sincerity and respect for the position. He is so prepared; he does not seem lik a first-year player. He seems like he’s been around.’ “
Mike Sando of ESPN.com takes a look at Wilson being named the starter, “Carroll made it clear from the beginning that there would be an open competition. Though reasonable in the beginning, assumptions that Flynn would start turned out to be as wrong as the assumptions typically made about players such as Wilson. A year ago, not even the unconventional Carroll could have envisioned going into an NFL season with a rookie starting quarterback standing 5-foot-10 and 5/8 inches. This wasn’t about Flynn in the end. It was all about Wilson emerging as a dynamic force in minicamps, training camp and the preseason. He won over the coaches right away with his hunger to learn and ability to handle more than what they threw his way. Wilson outperformed reasonable expectations at every step, most recently when he led Seattle’s starting offense to six scores on its first six possessions against Kansas City.”
Sando also says there is little precedent when it comes to Wilson starting Week 1, “Wilson will become only the sixth rookie since the merger to make an opening-day start at quarterback after entering the NFL as a draft choice taken in the third round or later. That note comes from Elias Sports Bureau. Wilson stands out from that list as well in that he won the job outright, unlike most of the others.”
Sando has his thoughts on the Seahawks’ Sunday transactions and comments on the scheduled trade of Tarvaris Jackson.
Peter King of SI.com has his ‘Monday Morning Quarterback‘, which includes a note on Wilson earning the starting gig, “The naysayers said to just wait until Wilson had to play against someone’s starting defense; that would expose him. Uh, not so much. Wilson started and had seven possessions in Kansas City Friday night. The drives: 41 yards and a field goal, 41 yards and a field goal, 37 yards and a field goal, 62 yards and a touchdown, 59 yards and a touchdown, 55 yards and a touchdown, 54 yards and a missed field goal. By the time Seattle inserted Tarvaris Jackson to replace Wilson, the Seahawks led 44-7. At the start of camp, I was told by Someone Who Knows that Wilson would have to be markedly better than free-agent signee Matt Flynn to win the starting job. Well, Wilson’s performance in the past month defines “markedly better.”
Jackson shuffling off to Buffalo
Tarvaris Jackson, the Seahawks’ starting quarterback last season, is in the process of being traded to the Buffalo Bills, coach Pete Carroll confirmed tonight during a conference-call interview.
Jackson started 14 games in his only season with the Seahawks, after being signed in free agency. But he became expendable after the Seahawks signed Matt Flynn in free agency and then drafted Russell Wilson. Carroll announced tonight that Wilson will be the starter for the Sept. 9 regular-season opener against the Cardinals in Arizona, as well as Thursday night’s preseason finale against the Raiders at CenturyLink Field. Flynn will serve as the backup.
“We’ve worked hard on making the deal. It’s not completed yet,” Carroll said. “It’s been agreed upon. But there still is a little bit of paperwork to do. It’s scheduled to be done.”
Jackson had career-highs in attempts (450), completions (271), passing yards (3,091) and touchdown passes (14) last season, and did a lot of it despite playing the final 10 games with a torn pectoral in his throwing shoulder.
But he also had no TD passes, six interceptions and nine sacks in the final two minutes of halves, which helped prompt the club’s search that led it to Wilson and Flynn.
“Tarvaris, all that we’ve ever seen from him is that he’s a great competitor and a perfect guy to have on your team,” Carroll said. “Because of our situation and the opportunity with the guys that we have, he deserves a chance to be playing. Buffalo came after him and I hope it’s a good thing for him.
“He did a great job for us and proved everything you’d ever want to see out of a competitor on your team. We think the world of him.”
With the Bills, Jackson is expected to compete for the backup job to Ryan Fitzpatrick. Vince Young and Tyler Thigpen have been vying for that job.
Tuesday cyber surfing: Which QB will it be at KC?
Good morning, and here’s what’s “out there” about the Seahawks for today, August 21.
Steve Kelley of the Seattle Times remembers long-time Seahawks and University of Washington athletics usher George Hickman, who passed away over the weekend at age 88, “George Hickman was kind, compassionate, feisty, thoughtful, but most of all he was genuine. He experienced so many thrilling moments late in his life, and all of us felt as if we shared in his good fortune.”
Danny O’Neil of the Seattle Times speculates on whether or not rookie quarterback Russell Wilson will start this week’s preseason game against Kansas City, “Carroll has been very tight-lipped about the process, declining to say after Saturday’s exhibition game in Denver and again on his weekly radio appearance on ESPN 710 Seattle if Wilson will start this week. But that might change Tuesday, as there were multiple indications that Wilson will start at Kansas City on Friday, which would be considered a sharp change of direction given that Matt Flynn started the first two exhibition games.”
O’Neil also has a couple of notes after the Seahawks traded veteran linebacker Barrett Ruud to the New Orleans Saints late yesterday, “The move nets Seattle what the Saints termed an undisclosed draft pick in their announcement of the deal. It also reflects the Seahawks’ confidence in rookie linebacker Bobby Wagner. New Orleans had a need at linebacker after Hawthorne underwent knee surgery this week to repair a damaged meniscus. The Saints’ Curtis Lofton is sidelined with a high ankle sprain.”
Jerry Brewer of the Seattle Times says Pete Carroll’s quarterback decision this week could define the early part of the Seahawks’ season, “If it’s an open competition, then Carroll should be intrigued enough with Wilson to want more information about him, and seeing him against Kansas City’s starting defense is a must. But if he’s leaning heavily toward Flynn based on practices and two preseason games, then now is the time to stop trying to push Flynn and start getting him ready for Week 1 against Arizona. I’m fine with whatever Carroll chooses. I’ve already written that he deserves some trust. But if you can’t see that this quarterback battle is odd, then you’re not being honest. Fortunately, the urgency of this week dictates that we’ll receive some clarity, probably on Tuesday.”
Eric Williams of the Tacoma News Tribune has his take on the Seahawks’ trade of Ruud to the Saints, “Ruud became expendable after the Seahawks drafted Bobby Wagner in the second round, and the rookie from Utah State performed well as Seattle’s starting middle linebacker in the team’s first two exhibition games. The Saints are looking to increase depth at middle linebacker after projected starter Curtis Lofton suffered a high ankle sprain. Former Seahawks stalwart David Hawthorne, projected as New Orleans’ starting weakside linebacker, also had surgery to repair a torn meniscus in his knee.”
Brady Henderson of mynorthwest.com recaps a segment of “Brock and Salk”in which head coach Pete Carroll joined the show, and says quarterback Matt Flynn’s performance Saturday night at Denver was better than it looked, “Flynn played the first half and finished 6 of 13 for 31 yards. Carroll was pleased with the effort considering the two would-be touchdown passes and the pressure Flynn was under from Denver’s defense. ‘He had two touchdown-opportunity throws that were there, and I think he was 6 for 13, so that makes him 8 for 13 with two touchdowns in the first half. That would have been a fantastic start,’ Carroll said. ‘So we have to be very clear-minded and not emotional and work our way through the film, and we did, and I think he did a nice job under the circumstances. There were a couple opportunities in there that he would like to have back – that’s how that goes. I think he played a solid game and we would have loved to cash in on those two touchdowns.’ “
Mike Sando of ESPN.com takes a look at the number of snaps Seattle’s preseason quarterbacks – Matt Flynn and Russell Wilson – have taken in comparison to other potential starting quarterbacks around the NFC West, “Seattle’s two candidates, Matt Flynn and Russell Wilson, have taken far more snaps than their peers in the division. Flynn has played full first halves, giving him snaps with the first-team offense. Wilson could get that opportunity when the Seahawks face Kansas City on Friday night, although coach Pete Carroll hasn’t made an announcement yet. NFL teams have traditionally used the third preseason game to get their starters extended playing time for the regular season. Priorities can change for teams without starting quarterbacks in place.”
Sando also revisits a few under-the-radar moves the Seahawks have made, including a look at the added depth along the offensive line, “3. Churning the OL depth. Adding veteran Deuce Lutui in free agency is paying off now that starting left guard John Moffitt is recovering from elbow surgery. Late-round choice J.R. Sweezy is making a surprisingly quickly transition from defensive line to guard. It remains to be seen whether Alex Barron provides value as a swing tackle. Overall, though, the Seahawks appear to have done the right thing by churning the line depth. The situation with Gallery comes to mind especially.”
Bucky Brooks of NFL.com believes the Seahawks’ quarterback battle might be closer than most people think, “It will be hard to bypass Flynn as the starting quarterback, considering his solid play throughout the preseason and the hefty financial investment Seattle made in him. Flynn was recruited to be the franchise quarterback and hasn’t done anything to disappoint thus far. However, Wilson appears to have special skills at the position, and his ability to thrive as a dual threat could be problematic for opponents in the regular season. I expect Flynn to get the first crack at the job when the regular season opens, but if the marquee free agent struggles at any point, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Wilson get the call.”
Here at Seahawks.com Clare Farnsworth tells us what worked and what needs work in Saturday night’s preseason game at Denver in his Monday Metatarsal Musings, and also has a look at one pass that wasn’t caught Saturday night, “Terrell Owens, who had practiced with the Seahawks for the first time only 11 days earlier and had not played in the league since 2010, was a step behind Broncos cornerback Chris Harris as he neared the north end zone. Matt Flynn, making his second start in as many preseason games, threw what might have been his best pass since signing with the Seahawks in free agency in March. But instead of a touchdown 46-yard catch, the ball eluded Owens’ grasp and fell incomplete. With the catch, Flynn would have finished with seven completions in 13 attempts for 77 yards – rather than 31 on 6-of-13 passing. With the catch, Owens would have had one big reception in the five times he was targeted by Flynn. With the catch, the No. 1 offense would have scored its first touchdown of the preseason. With the catch, coach Pete Carroll could have stepped to the podium after the game and discussed the progress that had been made by that No. 1 offense’s passing game in the team’s second preseason game; and the remarkable next step in Owens’ return to the NFL. Instead, Carroll was left to say, “It’s the first big ball he had thrown to him in a long time, and unfortunately it got away from him. That would have been a really big event for us to score on that play in the first half; I think it would have made a difference in how that first half would have gone. ‘It’s unfortunate. But he’s got to get back in action. It’s his first time out there. He’s been very much on point in practice and he’s worked very hard – and he’s caught a lot of deep balls in practice, too. So I know he can make those plays for us. It’s unfortunate we didn’t get it right off the bat. I wish for him, and for everybody, we would have caught that thing.’ “
Farnsworth also looks at the four Seahawks who were selected in Matt Williamson’s Top 200 players in the NFL, “Matt Williamson has released his annual list of the Top 200 players in the NFL at ESPN.com and the Seahawks are represented by four players: defensive end Chris Clemons (No. 105), free safety Earl Thomas (No. 120), running back Marshawn Lynch (No. 131) and defensive end Red Bryant (No. 194).”
Lastly, Farnsworth recaps quarterback Russell Wilson’s impressive stat line through two preseason games, and also has a note on the Seahawks’ impressive team statistics, “As a team, the Seahawks lead the NFL in rushing defense after two games and are third in rushing offense, after running for 228 yards against the Broncos on Saturday night.”
