Category: Seahawks

Russell Wilson still a long shot to win starting job

Seahawks
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The Seattle Seahawks have a heated quarterback battle on their hands. But, despite many reports to the contrary, Russell Wilson doesn’t appear to be a part of it.

According to Danny O’Neil of the Seattle Times, Matt Flynn and Tarvaris Jackson continue to share the majority of the first-team reps in practice. Meanwhile, Wilson continues to work with the second team, and isn’t expected to receive any playing time until the 2nd half of the Seahawks next preseason game.

Pete Carroll insists he is considering all three of his quarterbacks, but evidence points to the contrary. Even if Carroll handed the job to Wilson effective immediately, he would only have three weeks to work with the first unit. That’s not a realistic timetable for a rookie quarterback.

It won’t come as a surprise if Wilson starts at some point this season, but it doesn’t appear as though he’s a realistic option for opening weekend.

Bobby Wagner in mix to start for Seahawks

Seahawks
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The Seahawks Seahawks took a lot of heat for the 1st-round selection, but they may have hit a home run with Bobby Wagner in the 2nd round.

Wagner is expected to compete with free agent acquisition Barrett Ruud and journeyman Matt McCoy for the starting job at inside linebacker, according to the Seattle Times.

Inside linebacker can be a difficult position for a rookie, as it is often treated as the quarterback off the defense. But should Wagner win the job, second-year strong-side linebacker K.J. Wright is expected to take over the defensive calls.

With that pressure off of Wagner, he just may be the favorite for the job. Ruud is coming off a year in which he ranked 47th out of 50 qualifying inside linebackers on Pro Football Focus, and McCoy has started just three games in the league since 2006.

Draft Grades: Seattle Seahawks

Draft Grades - 2012, Seahawks
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For the second consecutive year, the Seattle Seahawks whiffed in the 1st round and demonstrated a complete lack of understanding as to how to effectively use the draft to rebuild a franchise. While the Seahawks have some talent, they’re headed in the wrong direction.

I thought the selection of James Carpenter was bad last year, but Bruce Irvin may be worse. Not only was Irvin a fringe 1st-round prospect at best, but he’s a developmental prospect with serious character concerns. If the Seahawks wanted to gamble they should have selected Janoris Jenkins, who is at least NFL-ready in terms of his talent. Irvin will be effective as a situational pass rusher, but that’s not the type of player you target with the 15th selection.

Bobby Wagner was a nice 2nd-round value. He’ll likely back up Barrett Ruud in 2012 with a chance to take over the starting job in the future.

I like Russell Wilson a lot, but I’m not sure the 3rd round was the right place for the Seahawks to select him. He has all the tools necessary to have a long career as a backup, but his upside is somewhat limited. Considering the just signed Matt Flynn, the move is even more questionable.

I love the selection of Robert Turbin. His health is a concern, but if he can stay on the field he can push Marshawn Lynch for carries. In the 4th round he was a safe gamble.

Jaye Howard adds some depth to the defensive line, but was a reach in the 4th round. He’ll compete for a backup job and should make the final roster cuts.

Korey Toomer is a decent developmental prospect, but he’ll have plenty of competition at linebacker in Seattle. He definitely does not have a guaranteed roster spot.

Jeremy Lane is a nice developmental prospect. The Seahawks needed to add depth to the secondary and he had value in the 6th round.

I like the selection of Winston Guy. He’ll probably never develop into a starter, but he’ll back up Kam Chancellor at strong safety and immediately make a difference on special teams.

J.R. Sweezy played defensive tackle at N.C. State but will be converted to guard in Seattle. It’s tough to judge a player switching positions, but in the 7th round there’s no risk involved.

Greg Scruggs will compete with Jaye Howard and others for a backup job, but it’s tough to imagine both rookies surviving the final roster cuts.

Just like last year, the Seahawks whiffed in the 1st round but rebounded with some solid mid and late-round picks. They continue to add depth, but they won’t turn things around until the start to find the elite prospects in the early rounds.