Russell Wilson to start Friday

[.infamous]

Seattle Seahawks rookie quarterback Russell Wilson has earned his first start in the team's third preseason game, and a strong performance could elevate him into a starting role for the 2012 regular-season opener, team sources said Tuesday.

Seahawks coach Pete Carroll on Monday informed the quarterbacks, including Matt Flynn, the free-agent pickup who had started the team's first two preseason games. Carroll is expected to make the news official Tuesday.

Wilson will take the majority of first-team reps as the Seahawks prepare to face the Kansas City Chiefs on Friday night. Carroll plans to play Wilson with the Seahawks' starters through at least the first half. Flynn could get some first-team reps to start the second half depending on the flow of the game.

While Flynn has been steady, Wilson has provided the Seahawks with more dynamic plays between the two quarterbacks, albeit against opposing team's second-string defenders. But a team source also noted that Wilson has played with second-teamers, for the most part, and has produced several big plays despite shoddy pass protection. He also has converted 54 percent of third-down possessions, a source noted.

Wilson has completed 22 of 33 passes for 279 yards this preseason, throwing for three touchdowns with one interception. He also has rushed for 92 yards and a touchdown. Flynn, who signed with the Seahawks as a free agent this offseason, is 17-of-26 for 102 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.

The Seahawks also want to see how Wilson handles the pressure of a starting assignment as opposed to coming off the bench in a relief role, which has been one of the scenarios the team hasn't ruled out as part of its game plan in 2012.

Although Carroll understands that conventional wisdom normally would call for Flynn to start, he also has noted to his staff that conventional wisdom didn't call for the Seahawks to trade up in the draft's third round to select Wilson, who's 5-foot-10, out of Wisconsin.

If Wilson struggles against the Chiefs, the Seahawks haven't ruled out having Flynn start in the final preseason game.

Four teams have already said they will start rookie quarterbacks in Week 1 (Miami Dolphins, Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, Washington Redskins). According to the Elias Sports Bureau, 2012 could be the first year with more than two rookie quarterbacks starting in Week 1 since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970.

 

[RipCity32]

I wonder if Seattle fans want Wilson or Flynn to start. Considering they give Flynn that deal lol.

 

[Lake Louise]

I keep having this feeling that Wilson will be the starter, sometime during the season. Flynn got that deal for basically 1 start. Granted, it was the best start a QB could ask for, but he doesn't have much else to his name in the NFL yet. I could be wrong, because it'd be hard for them to decide against Flynn, especially after giving him that deal, but this could be like what happened with Kevin Kolb. See a little bit, and decide he's starter worthy.

 

[DJT]

This is a good move IMO. See what Wilson can do against a starting defense in the preseason. But Flynn has looked really good, and I think he will be the starter.

 

[TTN2810]

I think it's more important to see Wilson with the starting offense, rather than against a starting defense.

 

[Elite]

I think it's more important to see Wilson with the starting offense, rather than against a starting defense.

Not really, only going to get easier when playing with better players even if you're not totally on the same page.

Going up against a pretty solid KC defense should be a good test, especially since they have a nice mix of defensive players without a real clear weak area. They've got three huge DL that can collapse the pocket, they've got Tamba Hali and Justin Houston rushing off the edge at OLB. Derrick Johnson is a really good LB who is good in coverage. Brandon Flowers is a great CB and Stanford Routt was pretty damn good the last time he got to play across one of the best CBs in the league. Then there's Eric Berry at FS, one of the best in the league.

 

[TTN2810]

That post proves you don't understand how the NFL preseason works.

 

[Elite]

No it doesn't

Stop baiting

 

[TTN2810]

lulz
Yes it does. It's not baiting, it's true lol.

When a defense is playing vanilla defenses, not showing exotic blitzes, it doesn't matter who you play. What matters for a rookie QB is learning who he has chemistry with in a game setting, because lots of players play differently from practice to games.

 

[DJT]

lulz
Yes it does. It's not baiting, it's true lol.

When a defense is playing vanilla defenses, not showing exotic blitzes, it doesn't matter who you play. What matters for a rookie QB is learning who he has chemistry with in a game setting, because lots of players play differently from practice to games.

But 1st string vanilla defense is loads better than 2nd and 3rd string vanilla defenses.

They will be looking at the chemistry for sure, but I think more importantly for this game is him going up against actual starters on the defense.

 

[Lake Louise]

He looked good last night against the 1st team. Has that nice mix of passing and running to extend a play, when needed. Looks comfortable out there and I think he's going to give Seattle a tough decision on their hands.

 

[Elite]

Seattle does have a problem, both of these guys can play. I'd be willing to bet that Wilson regressed a little bit when the regular season came around, he is still a rookie, but it definitely looks like he has a future in the NFL as a starting QB.